Kate Gilbert, associate teaching professor in food science and human nutrition, is the recipient of the term faculty 2025 Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. Her innovative course designs, dedication to experiential learning and strong integration of industry connections have equipped students with the tools, knowledge and confidence to excel as professionals in food science.
Gilbert’s approach to teaching is to meet students where they are, connecting new knowledge to familiar concepts and challenging them to apply their learning to real-world scenarios. In foundational courses, she uses innovative methods to engage large and broad audiences, making challenging material accessible and relatable. In advanced courses, she emphasizes critical thinking and project-based learning. In the food ingredient interactions and formulations course, Gilbert encourages students to use detailed lab notebooks to document experiments, an industry-standard practice that reinforces precision and attention to detail. In the food product development course, she provides students with industrial ingredients and connects them with industry mentors to mirror real-world product development processes. These innovations have transformed the capstone experience into a rigorous yet supportive environment where students develop professional skills in teamwork, creativity and technical problem-solving.
Gilbert is dedicated to experiential learning and developed the Iowa vs. California Food Systems Comparison course, which provides students with a deep understanding of regional differences in food production. The inaugural trip to California in 2023 included more than 30 tours of food companies, farms and other facilities, exposing students to the complexities of food systems that are not as prevalent in the Midwest. This transformative experience has broadened students’ perspectives on agriculture, sustainability and the food industry, and the course will continue with another trip planned for 2025.
A student stated, “Both the course and trip showcased Kate's extraordinary dedication to providing students with hands-on learning opportunities and her vast network within the food industry. During this course, we visited various food production facilities in Iowa and California, including dairy farm operations, organic farms, almond orchards, cheese makers, seafood producers, wineries, spirit distilleries, berry farms and so much more. Each visit was carefully planned by her to offer students a comprehensive view of the processes needed to bring food from farm to table.”
Gilbert also serves as advisor for the Food Science Club. Under her leadership, the club has received the Institute of Food Technologists Student Association Chapter of the Year Award in 2022 and 2024, a testament to its strong programming and industry engagement. The club regularly organizes industry tours, professional speaker events and networking opportunities, including a networking night before the annual CALS Career Day.
Gilbert’s transition from industry to academia has been instrumental in preparing students for successful careers in food science. She brings a wealth of professional experience to her teaching, ensuring that her courses reflect real-world challenges and industry needs. As the department’s internship coordinator, Gilbert compiles a weekly newsletter of job and internship opportunities, mentors students one-on-one, and organizes an in-person networking event that links students to employers in the food industry. A colleague stated, “Her innovative pedagogy, commitment to experiential learning and strong industry connections have transformed the educational experience for food science and culinary food science students at Iowa State.”