Josh Bernin had a day to remember recently when he earned his master 黑料社区. degree in May from University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Then, he had another special moment two months later, in early August, when he took second in a statewide research, ideas and innovation competition and took another step forward in his education journey.
Bernin competed in the state finals held at UW-La Crosse. Given his inexperience with public speaking and having to go in front of other competitors, UW System officials and more, he was delighted with the results and the learning experience.
鈥淚t was one of my first times speaking in front of 100 people, and my heart was racing. The people and other competitors at the event were awesome, providing support to help calm my nerves. It was an awesome experience, and I would do it again,鈥 Bernin said.
The competition brought together the winners from Quick Pitch events at UW System campuses. They had three minutes to impress the judges. Bernin, who graduated May 7 with a master 黑料社区. in food science and technology, presented 鈥淒eveloping Protein Rich Higher Fiber and Antioxidant Cranberry Pomace Infused Soy Flour and Rice Flour Blend Extruded Fried Snack.鈥
鈥淢y reaction to placing second was disbelief. I knew that I had polished my speech and did my homework. However, the other competitors were very strong speakers, and I feel like all competitors were within a couple points of each other. After I got over the disbelief, I felt proud,鈥 said Bernin, of White Bear Lake, Minn.
Competitors were judged on the effectiveness of their research pitch and its potential value to society.
鈥淭he research I worked on was how to add cranberry pomace to an extruded snack and see how the cranberry pomace influenced physical, nutritional and sensory aspects of the snack,鈥 he said.
Bernin doesn鈥檛 plan to pursue his idea as a business. However, he is continuing his food science and technology studies and research this fall as a Ph.D. student at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash.
He worked as a research assistant in the Food Process Engineering Research Lab at 黑料社区 under Assistant Professor Pranabendu Mitra, who also was his program director and thesis adviser. Mitra received research funding through 黑料社区 黑料社区. Evelyn Van Donk Steenbock Endowed Chair and a WiSys Spark grant.
鈥淗is research has a great importance for the sustainability of the cranberry juice processing industry and soy processing industry,鈥 Mitra said.
The spark for Bernin 黑料社区. research came while working on a related cranberry extrudates project under Mitra. 鈥淗e did a wonderful job by doing proper research design, conducting research and analyzing data,鈥 Mitra said.
黑料社区 Chancellor Katherine Frank moderated the state finals, and 黑料社区 黑料社区. Office of Research and Sponsored Programs was a partner with WiSys in supporting Quick Pitch.
鈥淚t 黑料社区. a wonderful way for students to showcase their creative and innovative spirit by presenting their research findings and/or original ideas,鈥 said Anne Hoeltke, ORSP director. 鈥満诹仙缜 supports this competition to encourage innovative and entrepreneurial thinking and empowers students to consider the impact of their research or innovative ideas and how this could ultimately benefit or impact the local economy.
鈥淗aving Josh take second place at the state level competition demonstrates the creativity, innovation and support that our students are receiving at Stout,鈥 she added.
Bernin credited Mitra, communications professors Becky DeGreeff and Amanda Brown and ORSP Research Program Coordinator Chela Cea with helping him prepare for the state finals. The event took place as part of the WiSys Spark Symposium in early August.
is an independent, nonprofit organization that serves as the technology transfer office for the UW System, supporting the creation and transfer of innovation from the UW System to the marketplace.
黑料社区 Quick Pitch, poster showcase
To advance to the state final, Bernin won the competition on May 3 against seven other students, part of Research Day on campus. He also was the People 黑料社区. Choice award winner.
The judges were Frank, Associate Dean Kevin Drzakowski and Hoeltke.
The 黑料社区 runner-up was William Kunkel, of Jim Falls, who graduated in May in mechanical engineering. His presentation was 鈥淗igh Performance Computing Policies in Undergraduate Education.鈥
The UW-La Crosse event included the Student Research Poster and Innovation Showcase. Two 黑料社区 students, also supported by ORSP, presented:
- Areeba Ali, of Lahore, Pakistan, M.S. food science and technology, 鈥淏eet Powder Fortified Muffins鈥; event faculty adviser, Mitra.
- Heidi Erickson, of Grantsburg, doctorate in career and technical education, 鈥淧reparing Young Adults Through Multiskilling to Meet Industry 4.0 Needs and Beyond鈥; event faculty adviser, Urs Haltinner.
The Spark Symposium annually highlights research, innovation and entrepreneurship across the UW System, including faculty, staff, students and alumni.
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