Volunteer Spotlight on Yihang Feng: Early-Career Scientist Embraces Modern Technologies to Develop Innovative Solutions for Food Safety
AOAC is committed to engaging professionals early in their careers and creating meaningful opportunities to become involved. These individuals are the future and have fresh perspectives and unique takes on the analytical issues faced today. This issue, we spotlight Yihang Feng, a 2025 recipient of the AOAC/Eurofins student award. He shares his work in machine learning and food science and the value of AOAC membership for graduate students/early-career scientists.
In a complex and ever-changing world, when considering a role in food safety, it is critical to understand and embrace modern technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning-fields that are growing rapidly, unlocking unprecedented amounts of data. AI is and will continue to play a big role in the future, and opportunities exist for innovations in food safety. Students and young researchers like Yihang Feng welcome AI and all its forms to impact one’s work, envision the future, and spark innovation.
Feng recently completed dual graduate degrees at the University of Connecticut, obtaining a PhD in Nutritional Sciences and an MS in Computer Science with a machine learning track. His research focused on developing machine learning applications for food systems, including nondestructive quality monitoring technologies and computer vision for nutritional assessment. Under the guidance of Yangchao Luo and Song Han (University of Connecticut), Feng developed innovative solutions at the intersection of AI and food science.
“With an interdisciplinary background in computer and food science, I worked in the application of computer vision in fruit quality and safety, which is a state-of-the-art AI concept in food science,” Feng says.
He received an AOAC INTERNATIONAL/Eurofins Foundation “Testing for Life” Student Award in 2025 for his research on strawberry maturity classification by computer vision, spectral, and chemistry methods. Feng shared his research in an oral presentation as well as a poster presentation at the 139th AOAC Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego, California, USA.
“The AOAC Annual Meeting was an excellent platform to share my research and meet with peer researchers,” Feng says. “I met with many renowned scientists in my field of study and gained experience in presenting my work formally to fellow scientists.”
He adds, “Winning the student award is a milestone in my academic career. AOAC is highly respected in the analytical sciences community, so to be recognized with this award is a noteworthy achievement.”
Feng, who joined AOAC in 2025 as a graduate student, hopes that his membership and involvement increase the visibility of AOAC to the University of Connecticut and encourages his peers to submit abstracts for future AOAC Annual Meetings. He sees great value in the analytical sciences community coming together to solve industrywide issues and set standards that contribute to food safety. For Feng, networking with peer researchers in food science is an aspect he enjoys most about AOAC membership.
“AOAC offers valuable opportunities for early-career scientists to network, learn about career opportunities, and volunteer,” he said. “I am motivated to be a part of the AOAC community of scientists working together to improve analytical testing and ultimately impact food safety.”
To members considering getting involved, particularly early-career researchers, he stresses that, “AOAC encourages and supports young researchers in their academic and professional goals. I believe volunteering is a key factor of a prosperous academic community. You won’t regret being a part of AOAC and its important work.”
ln his spare time, Feng, who has a diverse educational background spanning the United States, China, and New Zealand, enjoys a hobby with connections to another country.
“I like to play Japanese fingerstyle acoustic guitar in my free time,” he says. “It’s a very niche guitar technique.”
Inspired to get involved? Visit the AOAC Call for Volunteers and/or Student and Early Career Professional Opportunities for more information on volunteer opportunities.
