Marisa Maas had plans to attend culinary school in France, but her educational journey took an unexpected turn, landing her in the Gator Nation. Even with her new path through the swamp, she quickly found community within the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and now, as a junior, she helps coordinate one of the department’s biggest events of the year: Food Week.
Growing up in Southern California and Tennessee, Marisa dreamed of attending medical school. After taking some science courses, she changed her career trajectory to integrate science with her love of food and the culinary arts. Marisa’s initial plans after high school included a stop at culinary school, but she ended up coming straight to the University of Florida immediately after high school to major in food science with a minor in chemistry. Her passion for food and the culinary arts was fueled by UF’s food science program being held in high regard. Marisa had fears and concerns about stepping into a new academic environment, which can be normal for first-year students. However, she continued to have a positive outlook on her environment. Marisa found this possible by trusting that she would end up where she needed to be.
Campus Life
During her first year at UF, Marisa was looking for ways to become involved on campus and in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition through student clubs and organizations. She got involved in activities such as the UF club gymnastics team, a UFREC personal trainer, and the Food Science and Human Nutrition Club. Marisa later began participating in food science and human nutrition competitions, including the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) College Bowl and the American Society of Baking Competition, where she was able to test her food science knowledge and develop an original bakery product.
Marisa’s campus involvement has grown since freshman year, but her first time volunteering during Food Week is considered a major steppingstone in her growth at UF. Through this role, she helped host a coffee bar and assisted a graduate student in the department to give out samples of kombucha, a fermented and sweetened tea, tabling for Food Week. Marisa was even provided a kombucha starter, which has led to a current hobby, making fruit and herb kombucha. Throughout her time in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Marisa has gotten to know many other students within her department and through on-campus involvement with the Food Science and Human Nutrition club, who have been a source of guidance. Marisa’s relationships with graduate students in the department has also been a source of support in navigating her educational journey.
“It’s nice to see how they’re applying what they learned in undergrad to actual food processing and product development,” said Marisa.
She considers Evelyn Neilson, a senior majoring in food science, to have played a key role in helping shape her journey at UF with guidance that has led to opportunities such as Marisa’s study abroad in Italy. Both currently serve on the executive board of the Food Science and Human Nutrition Club, and Marisa decided to take on a different leadership role for her junior year at UF with the Food Science and Human Nutrition Club and Food Week happening October 14th-17th this year.
Savoring Food Week
Marisa’s role this year is to assist with the overall scheduling of Food Week, including coordinating events and volunteers. For the 2024 Food Week, Marisa is helping bring back signature events like “Picnic on the Farm,” which includes a Field & Fork Farm and Garden tour, a club organization fair, and a picnic, while introducing new events like the First Magnitude Brewery Tour in Gainesville. Local community members and students from departments across campus participate in Food Week to showcase and see the work happening within the department. For instance, Sharyn Passeretti, the lab manager for the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and Chef Fred Cremo help with events like “Donut University” and “Picnic on the Farm.”
“Food Week is a celebration of the community we have in the food science and human nutrition department,” Marisa said.
Marisa’s journey to UF started as a first-year student feeling nervous and not knowing anyone in her major, but she still wanted to get involved and meet people. She was terrified before going into her first experience as a Food Week volunteer. However, she has found her home in Gator Nation.
“Food Week is more than just about food,” said Marisa. It was her starting point at UF, and since then, Marisa has collaborated with others in and out of her major and realm of expertise, especially during her involvement in Food Week. Marisa hopes to create a “home” atmosphere for the entire Gator community, and she wants new students to have a similar experience for the 2024 Food Week.
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