Professor Yao Olive Li Honored as 2026 IFT Fellow
Yao Olive Li, professor and faculty director of Student Innovation Idea Labs has been named a 2026 recipient of the IFT Fellows Award, one of the highest honors presented by the Institute of Food Technologists.
The recognition honors Li’s sustained contributions to food science, engineering, education, and student-centered innovation. The IFT Fellows designation recognizes professionals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the advancement of food science and technology.
For Li, the award represents both a deeply personal and professional milestone.
“This honor means a great deal to me,” she said. “Personally, it feels like a full-circle moment in a journey that began with childhood experiences of food scarcity and grew into a lifelong commitment to improving food and human health. Professionally, it is a humbling recognition from peers in a field I deeply respect, and it affirms the value of integrating research, education, innovation, and service.”
Throughout her career, Li has advanced research and education in food fortification, food engineering, processing, packaging and applied learning. Among the accomplishments she finds most meaningful is seeing her work create impact through science-driven solutions.
“What means the most to me is seeing my work make a difference—connecting science to real human needs,” Li said. “Developing solutions such as food fortification technologies with potential public health impact has been especially rewarding.”
Her work on double fortified salt progressed from laboratory development to pilot testing and scale-up, reflecting her commitment to translating research into real-world applications. In addition to her research, Li has also led innovative teaching and outreach efforts, including USDA-funded projects that created virtual take-home lab kits to expand access to hands-on food engineering and packaging education.
At Cal Poly Pomona, Li has also helped foster experiential learning opportunities that encourage students to apply their creativity and technical knowledge in meaningful ways. As faculty director of Student Innovation Idea Labs, she has supported interdisciplinary collaboration and cultivated spaces where students are encouraged to “dare to dream, free to create, and become by doing.”
“Equally meaningful has been mentoring students, building innovation spaces and creating learning opportunities that help young people grow into confident scientists, engineers and problem-solver,” said Li.
As Li reflects on the recognition, she hopes her work has helped others see the broader impact of food science and inspired students and colleagues to pursue work that improves lives.