Divisions

Gain an inside connection.

Divisions are interest communities within AOCS that form the building blocks of the Society. These communities represent special interests, share technical expertise, and offer learning and networking opportunities to like–minded professionals who work in the field of fats, oils, proteins, surfactants and related products.

Contribute to the development of AOCS programs.

  • Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of membership appointments to AOCS committees.
  • Offer volunteer opportunities within AOCS.
  • Supply ideas and leadership for technical program development.
  • Present a structure that maximizes communication among the membership, the AOCS Governing Board, and the AOCS professional staff.
  • Help shape Society governance.
  • Provide a community within the Society where you can focus on your interests and maximize your membership investment.

Interested in adding a Division to your current AOCS membership? Complete this application and email to membership@aocs.org. New AOCS members can become a part of a Division when joining the Society.

Join a Division

Promotes professional interest, communication and expert competency in the analytical chemistry field.

Annual member dues $20.

To get involved, contact:
Chair
Lisa Clement, Cargill Inc., USA
lisa_clement@cargill.com

To participate in annual meeting technical programming, contact:
Vice Chair
Giorgia Purcaro, University of Liège, Belgium
gpurcaro@uliege.be

To engage in upcoming networking events, contact:
Secretary-Treasurer
Francesca Giuffrida, Nestle Research, Switzerland
francesca.giuffrida@rdls.nestle.com 

To contribute newsletter content, contact:
Newsletter Editor
Susan Seegers, Bunge North America, USA
susan.seegers@bunge.com

Analytical Resources:

Explore the Division's Awards Program:

Read the March 2022 Division newsletter.

Read the September 2021 Division newsletter.

Read the February 2021 Division newsletter.

Topics include the use of techniques, such as fermentation, tissue culture and cloning as well as molecular genetics to provide new and improved materials from plant and microbial sources; including the use of enzymes and whole cells for biotransformation of products.

Annual member dues $20. 

To get involved, contact:
Chair
Tim Ulmasov, Biogenerator, USA
agregen.oilseeds@gmail.com

To participate in annual meeting technical programming, contact:
Vice Chair
Sarah Willett, Kerry, Inc., USA  
sarah.willett@kerry.com

To engage in upcoming networking events, contact:
Secretary-Treasurer
Yomi Watanabe, Osaka Rest. Inst. of Industrial Science & Technology, Japan
yomi@omtri.or.jp

To contribute newsletter content, contact:
Newsletter Editor
Sarah Willett, RD&A Scientist, USA 
sarah.willett@kerry.com

Explore the Division's Awards Program:

Read the April 2022 Division newsletter.

Read the September 2021 Division newsletter.

Read the March 2021 Division newsletter.

The Edible Applications Technology Division is made up of professionals in the processing and utilization of lipids industry with primary focus on food applications.

Annual member dues $20. 

To get involved, contact:
Chair
Kaustuv Bhattacharya, IFF, Denmark
Kaustuv.Bhattacharya@iff.com

To participate in annual meeting technical programming, contact:
Vice Chair
Filip Van Bockstaele, Ghent University, Belgium
Filip.VanBockstaele@UGent.be

To engage in upcoming networking events, contact:
Secretary-Treasurer
Andrew Gravelle, University of California-Davis, USA
agravelle@ucdavis.edu

To contribute newsletter content, contact:
Newsletter Editor
Burcu Guldiken, Research Scientist, Botaneco, Calgary, AB 
bguldiken@botaneco.com

Explore the Division's Awards Program:

Read the March 2022 Division newsletter.

Read the August 2021 Division newsletter.

Read the March 2021 Division newsletter.

The Health and Nutrition Division promotes and facilitates communication and cooperation among professionals whose interests in lipid biochemistry and physiology relate to all aspects of dietary fats and health; encompasses the technical areas of dietary fats and general health.

Annual member dues $20. 

To get involved, contact:
Chair
Ignacio Vieitez, PEDECIBA Quimica-UdelaR, Montevideo
ivieitez@fq.edu.uy

To participate in annual meeting technical programming, contact:
Vice Chair
Rinat Ran-Ressler, Nestle, USA
rinat.ran-ressler@rd.nestle.com

To engage in upcoming networking events, contact:
Secretary-Treasurer
Jake Olson, TerViva, USA
jake.olson@terviva.com

To contribute newsletter content, contact:
Newsletter Editor
Jake Olson, TerViva, USA
jake.olson@terviva.com

Explore the Division's Awards Program:

Read the April 2022 Division newsletter.

Read the September 2021 Division newsletter.

Read the March 2021 Division newsletter.

For professionals involved in research, development, engineering, marketing, and testing of industrial products and co-products from fats and oils, including glycerine and its derivatives.

Annual member dues $15. 

To get involved, contact:
Chair
Eric Cochran, Iowa State University, USA
ecochran@iastate.edu

To participate in annual meeting technical programming, contact:
Vice Chair
Brajendra (BK) Sharma, USDA-ARS, EERC, USA
brajendra.sharma@usda.gov

To engage in upcoming networking events, contact:
Secretary-Treasurer
Mahjer Sarker, USDA ARS ERRC, USA
majher.sarker@usda.gov

To contribute newsletter content, contact:
Newsletter Editor
Majher Sarker, USDA, USA
majher.sarker@usda.gov

Explore the Division's Awards Program:

Read the April 2022 Division newsletter.

Read the October 2021 Division newsletter.

Read the February 2021 Division newsletter.

The Lipid Oxidation and Quality Division is for professionals in lipid oxidation with a major focus in food applications.

Annual member dues $15. 

To get involved, contact:
Chair
J. David Pinkston, ADM, USA
david.pinkston@adm.com

To participate in annual meeting technical programming, contact:
Vice Chair
David Johnson, Kalsec, USA
djohnson@kalsec.com

To engage in upcoming networking events, contact:
Secretary-Treasurer
Marc Pignitter, University of Vienna, Austria
marc.pignitter@univie.ac.at

To contribute newsletter content, contact:
Newsletter Editor
Nora Yang, Kalsec Inc., USA
nyang@kalsec.com

Explore the Division's Awards Program:

Read the March 2022 Division newsletter.

Read the September 2021 Division newsletter.

Read the Spring 2020 Division newsletter.

Promotes professional interest, communication, and competence of experts in the phospholipid and lecithin field.

The Division maintains a close working relationship with the International Lecithin and Phospholipid Society (ILPS).

Annual member dues $20. 

To get involved, contact:
Chair
Ernesto Hernandez, Advanced Lipid Consultants, USA
hernandezerne@gmail.com

To participate in annual meeting technical programming, contact:
Vice Chair
Tao Fei, Huzhou Agricultural Bureau, China
mighty0223@163.com

To engage in upcoming networking events, contact:
Secretary-Treasurer
Zifan Wan, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, USA
wanzi@uwplatt.edu

To contribute newsletter content, contact:
Zifan Wan, University of Wisconsin, Platteville, USA
wanzi@uwplatt.edu

Explore the Division's Awards Program:

Read the March 2021 Division newsletter.

Read the October 2021 Division newsletter.

The Processing Division advances the processing knowledge and managerial skills by providing a forum of technical information and networking opportunities, to promote and facilitate communication and cooperation between members, and to mentor young professionals.

Annual member dues $10.

To get involved, contact:
Chair
Michael (Mike) Martinez, Natural Plant Products, Inc., USA
mmartinez@meadowfoam.com

To participate in annual meeting technical programming, contact:
Vice Chair
Alan Paine, Consultant, United Kingdom
alanrp@yahoo.com

To engage in upcoming networking events, contact:
Secretary-Treasurer
Darren Litle, Arisdyne, USA
dlitle@arisdyne.com  

To contribute newsletter content, contact:
Newsletter Editor
Brent German, Blind Corner Solutions, LLC., USA
hbrentgerman@gmail.com

Explore the Division's Awards Program:

Read the March 2022 Division newsletter.

Read the September 2021 Division newsletter.

Read the April 2021 Division newsletter.

The Protein and Co-Products Division includes members in the following areas: proteins and co-products from biomaterial for food, feed, and industrial applications; extraction, separation, purification, and characterization technologies; structural function modifications, physiochemistry and functionality; process development and improvement, nutrition and health; detoxification and deallergenation; extrusion and texturization; industrial ultrafiltration and reverseosmosis membrane technology; and waste management.

Annual member dues $20. 

To get involved, contact:
Chair
Lamia L'Hocine,  AAFC Saint-Hyacinthe Research and Development Centre Canada
lamia.lhocine@canada.ca

To participate in annual meeting technical programming, contact:
Vice Chair
Lingyun Chen, University of Alberta, Canada
lingyun.chen@ualberta.ca

To engage in upcoming networking events, contact:
Secretary-Treasurer
Kaustav Majumder, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA
kaustav.majumder@unl.edu

To contribute newsletter content, contact:
Newsletter Editor
Nandika Bandara, University of Manitoba, Canada
nandika.bandara@umanitoba.ca 

Newsletter Editor
Yifu Chu, University of Alberta, Canada
yifu4@ualberta.ca

Newsletter Editor
Md Mahfuzur Rahman, Kraft Heinz Food Company, USA
mahfuzur.rahman@kraftheinz.com

Explore the Division's Awards Program:

Read the April 2022 Division newsletter.

Read the August 2021 Division newsletter.

Read the March 2021 Division newsletter.

Encompasses the sciences and technologies associated with the development and production of surfactants, detergents, and soaps.

Annual member dues $30. 

To get involved, contact:
Chair
Keith Genco, Arkema, Inc., USA
keith.genco@arkema.com

To participate in annual meeting technical programming, contact:
Vice Chair
Sanja Natali, ExxonMobil, USA
sanja.natali@exxonmobil.com

To engage in upcoming networking events, contact:
Secretary-Treasurer
Hongwei Shen, Colgate-Palmolive Company, USA
hongwei_shen@colpal.com

To contribute newsletter content, contact:
Newsletter Editor
Rob Zehr, Church & Dwight Co., Inc., USA
robert.zehr@churchdwight.com

Explore the Division's Awards Program:

Read the April 2022 Division Newsletter.

Read the October 2021 Division newsletter.

Read the March 2021 Division newsletter.