MENOMONIE—WiSys awarded UW-Stout student Mallory Brask a $3,640 WiSys Ambassador Grant to research ways to prevent bacteria contamination in cheeses.
Brask is conducting her research project under the mentorship of Dr. Taejo Kim, director of the food science and technology program at UW-Stout.
“Receiving the WiSys Ambassador Grant encourages me to continue researching the various microbial aspects of cheese,” Brask said. “The funding also reinforces WiSys' support of my research, which I am very grateful for. A special thanks to Dr. Taejo Kim for his support and mentoring.”
Brask received her undergraduate degree in food science and technology from UW-Stout in May 2020 and is now pursing her master’s degree at the university as well.
Dr. Kim called Brask an “exceptional and gifted student” who excels at research.
“I believe that she is the perfect model for an outstanding graduate researcher,” Dr. Kim said. “She is a highly-dedicated student who knows how to motivate herself and to strive for excellence. Both in the lab and in-person, Mallory is a dynamic and knowledgeable communicator who possesses the gift of being able to conduct multiple research works.”
Brask served as a WiSys Ambassador during the 2020-2021 school year, enhancing the connection between WiSys and the UW-Stout research community. WiSys Ambassadors are eligible to apply for a WiSys Ambassador Grant.
These grants are designed to help WiSys Ambassadors advance their knowledge and skills as young researchers through summer research programs. The grants may be used for implementation and completion of short-term projects or to advance long-term projects the ambassador undertook with the guidance of a faculty mentor.
The WiSys Ambassador program offers a work opportunity for students in the UW System who are interested in research, innovation or entrepreneurship. These students play a vital role in WiSys’ outreach efforts and programming on campuses.
To learn more about the WiSys Ambassador Program and WiSys Ambassador Grants, visit wisys.org/ambassadors.
WiSys is a nonprofit organization that works with faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the UW System to facilitate cutting-edge research programs, develop and commercialize discoveries and foster a spirit of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking across the state.