2024 AOCS Awards are Open for Nominations and Applications

We are now accepting nominations and applications for the 2024 AOCS Awards Program. AOCS awards celebrate individuals that make outstanding contributions to science, technology, industry, our Society, and the world.

Your nominations and applications bring a spotlight on exciting research and remarkable innovation and recognize leadership and service at all levels. With your support, the AOCS Awards Program can continue to contribute to our supportive community and celebrate the diversity and breadth of interests in our community.

How to nominate

1. Read the full award descriptions and eligibility requirements on the AOCS Awards page.
2. Log in to the AOCS Awards Submission Portal using your AOCS credentials to submit a nomination or application. Need help logging in? Contact Karen Kesler at karen.kesler@aocs.org or +1 217-693-4813.
3. Email Lucas Censi if you have any questions.

Deadlines for nominations and applications

• Professional Awards – August 15, 2023
• Student Awards – October 2, 2023
• Travel Grants – December 18, 2023

Need help?

Download the AOCS Awards Submission Portal Guide (.pdf) for a step-by-step guide that walks you through the application process.

Watch a “Nominator Information Session” recording to see live demos and tutorials of the Awards Portal, including how to create your profile, upload materials and complete your application.

AOCS Corporate Member Spotlight: Natures Crops International

Natures Crops International (NCI), an AOCS Bronze Corporate Member, is a vertically integrated specialty oilseed provider.

In this spotlight, Crystal Cormier, VP of Operations, discusses what separates NCI from other oilseed providers as well as their most recent product Ahiflower®, an omega-3+6 solution.

What type of products/services does your company provide?

NCI has a global leadership position with its 3 core products: meadowfoam and crambe, used in the personal care industry, and Ahiflower®, an omega-3+6 solution. With all three crops, NCI delivers novel, plant-derived oils and products that are science-based, sustainable, traceable, and fully controlled throughout the supply chain.

What differentiates your company from companies in the same space?

NCI is a leading, vertically integrated, natural products business, combining sustainable agriculture and life sciences. NCI manages the entire supply chain, "From soil to oil. Naturally."

NCI has a state of the art production plant with the ability for both small and large-scale mechanical/cold pressing with unique refining capabilities from our small-batch refinery located in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Crystal Cormier, VP of Operations at Natures Crops International.

What are some recent innovations your company is most proud of?

Ahiflower oil is the richest, non-GMO plant-based source of omega 3-6-9 oil currently available and is clinically proven to be up to 4 times more effective than flaxseed oil. Every acre of regeneratively grown Ahiflower produces as much omega-rich oil as 500,000 anchovies.

What do you think will be the biggest challenges for your company next year?

As Natures Crops International continues to grow, the biggest challenge we will face is the need to fulfill all vacant positions at our oilseed processing facility and refinery in PEI, Canada.

Why is Corporate Membership important to your organization?

AOCS corporate membership is important to Natures Crops International because it provides valuable networking opportunities, access to industry expertise and resources, and the ability to collaborate with other companies and organizations in the field of oils, fats, and lipids. Being a part of AOCS enhances Natures Crops International’s credibility visibility, and ability to meet customer demands by staying at the forefront of industry trends and innovation.

Learn more about AOCS Corporate Membership.

Announcing 2023 AOCS Award winners

The AOCS Awards Program recognizes leaders who work passionately to advance the science and technology of oils, fats, proteins, surfactants, and related materials.

Congratulations to the 30+ scientists and technical professionals who won awards this year!

Visit the AOCS Awards page to view winners in each category:

• Professional Awards
• Student Awards
• Paper Awards
• Travel Grants

Award winners will be recognized throughout the 2023 AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo, including at the Opening Celebration, during select technical sessions, and Division luncheons and dinners. There's still time to register, if you haven't already, to join us in Denver and help us celebrate these exceptional members of our community!

AOCS Announces Retirement of Director, Technical Services

Long-time AOCS member and AOCS Director, Technical Services, Scott Bloomer, announced his intention to retire from the post at the end of the year. Under Dr. Bloomer’s leadership, the AOCS Technical Services has built a team of dedicated professionals, expanded the scope of AOCS’ portfolio of products and services, and grown revenue.

“Scott has served AOCS with dedication and distinction. He transformed the technical services department by building an outstanding staff team and putting in place a number of reforms and new programs that will help AOCS be successful for many years to come. The entire AOCS staff team is grateful, not only Scott’s leadership and technical contributions, but for his humor and warmth which contributed to the culture of the entire organization,” said AOCS CEO, Patrick Donnelly.

Dr. Bloomer become a member of AOCS in 1995 while working as a Senior Research Scientist at Cargill. He also held positions at Land O’Lakes and Archer Daniels Midland before joining AOCS as its Director of Technical Services in 2017. He published his first peer-reviewed research paper in JAOCS, and later served as a peer reviewer and Associate Editor of JAOCS.

“I have considered AOCS to be my professional ‘home’ from the time I was in graduate school, where I spent many hours in the library stacks learning lipid science through the pages of JAOCS. As a member, meeting and learning from lipid specialists at annual meetings was enriching professionally and led to many fruitful opportunities. Working on staff at AOCS offered the chance to work much more closely with AOCS members and support their input as volunteers. I treasure the deeper relationships I have formed with many stellar scientists as we have worked together to advance the state of knowledge in the many fields represented by AOCS members,” said Bloomer.

AOCS has initiated a search for the next Director, Technical Services (PDF). Qualified candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining interest and qualifications to personnel@aocs.org no later than April 3, 2023.

Make a difference in the AOCS community

AOCS Divisions, Sections, and Common Interest Groups are looking for volunteers to fill leadership team positions! These groups are at the forefront of all members activities. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to connect with new colleagues and develop your professional profile.

Leadership team members help develop networking events and interest area-focused activities and content like Midweek Mixers, AOCS Webinars , and AOCS Annual Meeting programming.

Sign up for a volunteer role by February 24, 2023.

Open Leadership Team Positions

Leadership team members are voted upon by the respective AOCS community, with Division elections occurring in March of every year. Division positions are 1-year terms with a maximum of three consecutive 1-year terms. AOCS membership and Division, Section, and/or CIG membership is required.

Questions? Email Travis Skodack, Director, AOCS Membership. We can help you find a role that's right for you.

• Chairperson/President
  • Leads meetings and suggests when meetings should be held
  • Attends other meetings of the Society as a representative of the group
  • Works with other members of the leadership team to determine the priorities of the group
  • Identifies volunteers to coordinate programs, including awards, webinars and mentoring programs
  • Writes a chair message for 2 newsletters per year
  • Identifies future topics and ideas for AOCS to consider
• Vice-Chairperson/Vice-President
  • Divisions only: AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo Technical Program Committee Chair for the Division
    • Develop session topics, titles and description
      
    • Identifies and secures session chairs
    • Works closely with the Division leadership team to execute the technical program for the annual meeting
      
  • Sections and CIGs
    • Attends meetings and actively participates in support of the good of the group
    • Leads programs or activities, as delegated by the chair
• Secretary-Treasurer/Secretary
  • Takes the minutes and/or action items from any meeting of the leadership team and provides them to AOCS
  • Reviews the financial activity, if requested by AOCS staff, to ensure the financial health of the group
  • Coordinates any networking or social event held during the AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo

Sign up today to contribute your voice to the AOCS community.

AOCS Corporate Member Spotlight: Terviva Inc.

Terviva Inc., an AOCS Silver Corporate Member, is a food and agriculture innovation company partnering with farmers to grow pongamia, a climate-resilient tree, which produces abundant protein- and oil-rich legumes.

In this spotlight, Dilip Nakhasi, VP, Innovation Edible Oils, provides an overview of Terviva, its products, and how they differentiate themselves from other companies.

What type of products or services does your company provide?

Terviva produces and manufacturers vegetable oil (Ponova Oil) and plant protein (Ponova Protein) from the beans of the pongamia tree.

We address nutrition, taste, and functionality challenges in plant-based foods. We bridge consumer demand to food that regenerates communities and the planet.

What differentiates your company from companies in the same space?

Dilip Nakhasi, VP of Innovation Edible Oils at Terviva Inc.

We differentiate ourselves by nurturing people and planet by:

1. Carbon storage, soil health, and water use and quality
2. Zero deforestation land use policy
3. Agroforestry and pollinators
4. Village-level influencer program and farmer livelihoods

What are some recent innovations your company is most proud of?

Terviva is proud to bring Edible Pongamia Oil and protein innovation to the food industry. Pongamia is a regenerative super power that can nurture the planet and enhance our food system.

What do you think will be the biggest challenges for your company next year?

Increasing our production capacity to meet market demand.

Why is Corporate Membership important to your organization?

Being associated with the premium scientific society in the edible oil industry increases our visibility to academics, industry, and government agencies.

Learn more about AOCS Corporate Membership.