Thanks to a partnership between the Initia Foundation, the Quebec Food Processing Council (CTAQ), and the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), in collaboration with Fruit d’Or and the RITA Consortium, 12 students have been awarded the Transfo

scholarships, including 8 INAF student members, totaling nearly $30,000.

The goal of the annual Transfo

scholarship program is to foster the development and success of scientific and academic students pursuing studies in fields of interest to Quebec’s food processing industry.

Students could apply in one of the following two categories:

Excellence Scholarships are awarded to students demonstrating a strong interest in continuing their studies in food sciences at the college and university levels and who have excellent academic results.

Levier Scholarships are awarded to graduate students with a research project relevant to the food processing industry in Quebec and who need financial support to continue their graduate studies.

The 2024 Recipients

EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPS

College Level

• Samuel Carrière, Institut de technologie agroalimentaire du Québec
• Chloée Simo Andjick, Collège de Maisonneuve

Bachelor’s Level

• Florence Martel, Université Laval
• Leislie Agbemavi, Université Laval

Master’s Level

• Sophie Gosselin, Université Laval
  • Research Director: Linda Saucier, Professor-Researcher – Department of Animal Sciences at Université Laval
• Florence Dubois-Laurin, Université Laval
  • Research Director: Alain Doyen, Professor-Researcher – Department of Food Sciences at Université Laval
• Anne-Marie Lauzier, Université Laval
  • Research Director: Julie Jean, Full Professor – Department of Food Sciences at Université Laval

Doctorate Level

• Kelly Light, McGill University
  • Research Director: Salwa Karboune, Associate Professor – Department of Food Science at McGill University
• Linda Amayela Sanka, Université Laval
  • Research Director: Julie Jean, Full Professor – Department of Food Sciences at Université Laval
• Tristan Muller, Université Laval
  • Research Director: Laurent Bazinet, Full Professor – Department of Food Sciences at Université Laval

LEVIER SCHOLARSHIPS

Master’s Level

• Laurie Piché, Université Laval
  • Research Director: Antony T. Vincent, Assistant Professor – Department of Animal Sciences at Université Laval

Her project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a phage cocktail offered as a dietary supplement to reduce the microbial load of naturally occurring APEC in broiler chickens, as a potential alternative or complement to antibiotics to mitigate or eliminate the consequences of avian colibacillosis in broiler chickens.

Doctorate Level

• Hala Abi Rizk, Université Laval
  • Research Director: Christophe Cordella, Assistant Professor – Department of Food Sciences at Université Laval

Her project aims to study the maturation and sensory properties of cheeses produced by the aging process, using non-invasive techniques to determine the optimal maturation time and predict the main sensory characteristics of cheese without relying on human tasters. These results will benefit manufacturers by improving their products more quickly and economically.

Congratulations to all the 2024 scholarship recipients!

About the Initia Foundation

The Initia Foundation unites the food industry around a common goal: supporting Quebec’s food sector. Its mission is to accelerate Quebec’s food prosperity by supporting business people and students in the sector with their growth and development projects, notably through its awards and scholarships program and its mentorship program.