The Thomas H. Smouse Memorial Fellowship is awarded to graduate students doing research in fats, oils, proteins, surfactants and related materials. The purpose of this graduate fellowship is to encourage, recognize and support outstanding research in a field of study consistent with the areas of interest to AOCS.
This award was established in memory of Dr. Smouse’s dedication and enthusiasm for lipid chemistry and his commitment to family, education, and AOCS. Dr. Smouse was a long-time member and very active volunteer in AOCS, including serving as President of AOCS in 1983. As well as a noted industrial researcher into the flavor chemistry of fats and oils. Archer Daniels Midland Foundation, AOCS Foundation, AOCS, and the family and friends of Dr. Smouse established and assisted in this fellowship’s funding.
What does the recipient receive?
- Custom inscribed bookends with the recipient’s name and award details
- US $10,000 honorarium
- Up to a US $5,000 research and travel allowance
- Opportunity to present an award lecture at the AOCS Annual Meeting
Who is eligible?
- Graduate students who are AOCS members that:
- are conducting research at an educational institution that is conducting fundamental investigations in the chemistry of fats, oils, proteins, surfactants and related materials, with an above average interest in and aptitude for research
- have never received the Thomas H. Smouse Memorial Fellowship
- Note: the graduate student’s major professor supervising the research must also be a current AOCS member
- Please refer to the Award Guidelines (.pdf) for the detailed eligibility guidelines
How do I nominate someone?
Login to the Awards Portal to submit the following nomination materials.
- Complete application questions using the Awards Portal
- Letter of nomination from the student’s academic advisor
- At least three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the student’s academic endeavors. These letters should present essential facts regarding: 1) scholastic record, 2) character and personality, 3) interest and capability in research, 4) ability to cooperate with others, 5) capacity for work, and 6) extracurricular activities
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate colleges or university work completed to date
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae
- Abstract submitted for the current year’s AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo
Most Recent Recipient
Sumanjot Kaur earned her undergraduate degree in Food Technology from Punjab Agricultural University, India, and started pursuing a MS in Food Science at the University of Arkansas. Her master’s research, titled "Generating Health-Promoting Bioactive Compounds and Nanoporous Materials from Rice Processing Byproducts via Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Technology," highlights her dedication to advancing food science. Currently, she is a Ph.D. student at the University of Arkansas, focusing on soybeans and deepening her expertise in sustainable food systems. Sumanjot has received several prestigious awards, including the Outstanding Early Career Research Award in Sustainable Food Technology (2024), the Health & Nutrition Student Excellence Award, the Sustainable Food System Division Student Oral Competition Winner (2023), the AOCS Protein and Coproducts Student ePoster and Pitch Competition Winner (2023), the Impactful and Innovative Student Research Award at the Agri-Food Innovation Summit, and Graduate and Professional Student Congress Research Grant and Travel Awards. Beyond her academic success, Sumanjot is also an active participant in extracurricular activities, demonstrating her strong leadership, communication, organizational, and financial skills.