Please welcome Food Science and Technology's newest faculty member, Assistant Professor Andrew Gravelle. Andrew comes to us from the University of Guelph, where he earned his Ph.D. in Food Science this year. His M.S. and B.S. degrees were in Biophysics, also at the University of Guelph, after which he was a Research Associate in Food Science for seven years, 2011-2017, just prior to his doctoral degree studies from 2018-2021.
Dr. Gravelle’s research focuses on characterizing the relationship between structural properties and functionality in foods using a materials science approach. To this end, his research activities focus on establishing a more fundamental understanding of how the composition and molecular architecture of multi-component foods impacts their mechanical and sensory response. Particular emphasis is given to characterizing fat-filled food gels, with a target of developing rational design principals that can be used to effectively implement new and emerging ingredients (such as plant-derived proteins).
A second focus of Dr. Gravelle’s research program is the development and characterization of structured oil systems, commonly referred to as “oleogels”. This technology shows promise for mimicking the desirable functional and sensory attributes of traditional fats, while providing an opportunity to optimize the nutritional profile and reduce environmental impact. Further applications include the delivery and controlled release of bioactive compounds.
Dr. Gravelle is also currently the Editor in Chief for the Food Science subject area of the methodology-focused, interdisciplinary journal MethodsX. He received the Young Scientist Award from the Food Structure and Functionality Symposium in 2018.
"It is an honor to be joining the Department of Food Science and Technology at UC Davis. I am inspired by the sense of community and collaborative environment fostered by the department as a whole, and I am optimistic my research program will provide new and complementary capabilities. I look forward to contributing to the high-caliber research and educational programs for which the department is known." - Andrew Gravelle
You can view his faculty page and publication listing here. Welcome to the FST team, Andrew!