IIFH will join this ERVA event exploring how precision nutrition—tailoring diets to individual genetics, microbiome, metabolism, health status, preferences, and environment—can be advanced through innovations in the food system. While today’s food supply emphasizes safety, stability, cost, and consumer demand, the future requires customizable foods that also ensure nutrients remain active, bioavailable, and personalized. The event will focus on engineering research opportunities across three areas: materials and nutritional content (optimizing crops and discovering new nutrient sources), tools and processes (innovating food processing to preserve and deliver functional nutrition), and analytical characterization (developing sensors and monitoring technologies to ensure nutrient stability, minimize waste, and reduce costs). The goal is to bridge current food system priorities with emerging needs for individualized, effective nutrition.

The Engineering Research Visioning Alliance (ERVA) is a neutral convener that helps define future engineering research directions. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Engineering, ERVA is an engaged partnership that enables an array of voices to impact national research priorities.