Student Membership

AOAC’s complimentary Student Membership program is designed to give students the opportunity to engage with AOAC INTERNATIONAL and leaders in the field to develop careers dedicated to analytical excellence. Any full-time student working toward an undergraduate or graduate degree in the areas of chemistry, microbiology, food science or other related science shall be eligible for Student Membership in AOAC INTERNATIONAL. Opportunities for students within AOAC INTERNATIONAL include mentorships, networking with AOAC leadership, networking locally, scholarships, and internship experiences.

Student Memberships are now free. Join now >

Students at the AOAC Annual Meeting & Exposition

At the AOAC Annual Meeting & Exposition, Students network with leaders in their field and participate in many of the networking and community meetings. Events include:

• Women – Let’s Network & Have Coffee
• New Member Orientation
• New Member and First-Time Welcoming Reception
•  Section and Community Fair
• Community Meetings
• Poster Sessions
• Scientific Sessions and Program Meetings
• Fostering Students and Early Career Researchers: An Interactive Mentoring Session

AOAC INTERNATIONAL Career Center/Job Bank

The AOAC INTERNATIONAL Career Center/Job Bank connects analytical scientists across all disciplines and career stages with employers offering career opportunities. In addition to serving as a robust source of up to thousands of job opportunities, the AOAC INTERNATIONAL Career Center/Job Bank is set apart by a number of benefits it offers to professionals and employers.

Student Awards and Scholarships

AOAC INTERNATIONAL/Eurofins Foundation “Testing for Life” Student Award

This student award, supported by contributions from the Eurofins Foundation, encourages student researchers who are advancing basic or applied science in analytical or molecular testing for food safety, food security, food defense, food authenticity, or health and environmental protection. Learn more >

AOAC INTERNATIONAL/Herbalife Scholarship

This student scholarship, supported by contributions from Herbalife, encourages student researchers who are advancing analytical or molecular (DNA) testing. Learn more >

Contest for First-Time AOAC Poster Presenters

This contest encourages first-time AOAC Annual Meeting attendees to showcase their analytical work. The AOAC Technical Programming Council appoints a panel of judges to evaluate posters on content, oral delivery, discussion with presenters, and overall formatting.

The top five posters among first-time attendees are awarded plaques, recognized at the Annual Meeting, and published in an issue of Inside Laboratory Management (ILM).

Get Involved in Regional Sections

15 AOAC Sections connect analytical communities in the U.S. and worldwide, representing four continents and more than 100 countries.

Sections provide opportunities for participants to share information, build professional contacts, expand leadership skills, and gain practical management experience. Each AOAC Section hosts at least one networking event each year, featuring technical presentations and discussions by leading local and national experts.

Getting involved in your Regional Section provides opportunities for local networking and mentorship experiences. Learn more >

Join an AOAC Community

AOAC’s volunteer communities allow stakeholders to share ideas and stay abreast of the latest developments in their area of interest. Communities include Food Allergens, Agricultural Materials, Microbiology, Pesticides, and more. Learn more >

Education and Training

AOAC offers professional development training online and in person at the Annual Meeting. Courses are customized to meet the needs of method developers, laboratories, and other analytical scientists at both introductory and advanced levels and feature internationally recognized analytical science and regulatory experts. Check out the calendar for live events or in the AOAC Store for on-demand options.