New Center Expand's University's Sensory, Consumer Expertise to Olathe Campus
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Kansas State University Olathe's Sensory and Consumer Research Center is now open and under the management of Marianne Swaney-Stueve.
The center complements the internationally recognized Sensory Analysis Center, a part of the College of Human Ecology's department of human nutrition on the Manhattan campus, and expands the university's capabilities to meet needs of different industry and consumer segments in the Kansas City area.
Swaney-Stueve has been conducting sensory and consumer research for more than 10 years in the food and fragrance industry. She is a youth research expert who has developed specialized methodologies for working with young consumers. Prior to joining K-State Olathe, Swaney-Stueve was a principal consultant at InsightsNow. She also managed the youth program at International Flavors and Fragrances Inc., later transitioning to direct its global sensory and consumer insights team.
"We are pleased to have found someone with Marianne's outstanding qualifications in both academia and industry to open our Sensory and Consumer Research Center," said Dan Richardson, CEO of K-State Olathe. "She and the center will be valuable assets that K-State Olathe is excited to provide to our industry partners regionally and nationally."
The Sensory and Consumer Research Center will promote the benefits of sensory and consumer research to local businesses as well as to students who are considering different career opportunities. In addition to managing the center, Swaney-Stueve will host training workshops for corporations, teach a capstone class to prepare doctoral students to work in the industry and work with local high schools to educate students about the program.
"From young students to accomplished scholars and scientists, this offering is unique and will be an outstanding resource for product development, testing and commercialization," Swaney-Stueve said. "The facility at K-State Olathe is state of the art. This center, in the heart of greater Kansas City and the Animal Health Corridor, is an outstanding resource."
For more information about the center or about participating in upcoming studies, visit http://olathe.k-state.edu/centers-institutes/ConsumerResearch.html, email consumerresearch@k-state.edu or call 913-307-7355.
The Sensory Analysis Center on the Manhattan campus offers graduate programs in sensory analysis and consumer behavior, provides testing services to companies worldwide and operates a satellite center in Bangkok, Thailand, in addition to the new Olathe center.
Kansas State University Olathe advances the mission of Kansas State University by integrating education, research and entrepreneurship, focused on animal health, food safety and security, to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.