The students in the Engineering Department at U.C. Merced are required to develop an engineering capstone project as an integral part of their studies. The projects are generally done by teams and address real applied problems in a wide range of industries. Projects may involve students who specialize in mechanical and environmental engineering, material science or computer science. During the 2018-2019 academic year six student teams tackled engineering issues at food processing facilities. The students are expected to take a hands-on approach and develop an innovative, practical and cost-effective solution to the problem. The industry partner provides them with a detailed description of the problem and provide feedback and suggestions. The Engineering Department is now collecting project ideas for the fall semester, and a general project proposal form is enclosed. For more information contact Dr. Stefano Foresti, Director of Innovation at UC Merced; Stefano.foresti@ucmerced.edu.

CLFP also works closely with the student engineering programs at Chico State University, Fresno State University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Davis. Students at those campuses are also looking to work with food processors on applied technical projects. 

In addition, CLFP has a long-standing relationship with the food science departments at UC Davis, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Fresno State and Chapman University and those students are also seeking projects in the food processing industry. The students and their advisors can help with product development, testing, and sensory evaluation projects.

Contact Rob Neenan if you have any questions or would like help making a connection with the university near you.