FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Shilpa Samant, a graduate student in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, recently won the Rose Marie Pangborn Graduate Paper Competition at an annual competition in Chicago.

The competition was sponsored by the Sensory and Consumer Sciences Division of the Institute of Food Technologists.

Samant, who is from Mumbai, India, earned her master’s degree in food science this summer and is now pursuing a doctorate. Her adviser for her research paper, “Effects of Label Understanding on Sensory Acceptability of Chicken Products,” was assistant professor Han-Seok Seo.

“We notice an increasing number of chicken products in market with sustainable and process-related claims like ‘organic’ or ‘no hormones added,’” said Samant, who earned her bachelor’s degree in food engineering and technology in 2013 from the Institute of Chemical Technology in India. “These label claims do more than provide us with product information. They have the potential to influence consumers’ sensory perception. Our study focused on how label understanding and trust toward claims can have an effect on quality perception and sensory acceptability. Our findings showed higher understanding and trust in sustainability and process-related claims among consumers result in higher quality perception and sensory acceptability of chicken meat products.”

Samant presented her findings at the 75th annual meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists in July, which was attended by more than 23,000 professionals and students from around the world. She was one of six finalists invited to present findings based on scientific merits submitted to the Sensory and Consumer Sciences Division.

“This was my first IFT meeting, and it’s an incredible feeling to see your ideas and hard work being appreciated,” said Samant. “Dr. Seo is a great adviser and has been a constant source of motivation throughout my master’s journey. We have an outstanding team in the sensory lab, which is always an inspiration to work hard, and our teamwork paid off. We are thrilled to receive the Pangborn award.”

The competition is named for Rose Marie Pangborn, a pioneer in the sensory consumer sciences.

Samant is the third Pangborn winner from the U of A. Tabra Alpers claimed top honors in 2005 and Lauren Dooley in 2010, both under the direction of food science department head Jean-Francois Meullenet.

“This is the most prestigious and competitive award for graduate students in the sensory and consumer science field,” said Seo. “I’m very proud of Shilpa for earning this prestigious award and thankful to Dr. Meullenet for building such a great and well-known sensory and consumer sciences program.”

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.