PROJECTS & DONORS
Homer Nowlin Chair
The Nowlin Chair is an endowed position given to a faculty member with significant experience and accomplishments in their fields. Individuals in this position have built a large network of collaborators while also developing a strong research portfolio. As the new Nowlin Chair, Dr. Caputo will receive additional funding to expand the scope of her research work and grow stakeholder outreach.
To our donors,
Thank you for your generous contributions to advancing research in food choice and policy. Your support allows us to conduct groundbreaking, data-driven research that informs the food industry, policy reforms, and consumers.
Through your support, we can:
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Conduct cutting-edge research to better understand how people make food choices and how these choices impact the food system, supply chains, and policy.
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Translate science-based evidence into practical recommendations for stakeholders (in farming, consumer groups, the food industry, government, and academics), shaping practice and policy that lead to positive societal impact.
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Support emerging researchers and students in the field of food, policy, and consumer science, equipping the next generation with the tools to drive change.
CURRENT PROJECTS
MEAL CLICK
Donor: US. Department of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture – Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Program (USDA-NIFA-AFRI)
Funding Received: $799,97
Principal Investigator: Dr. Vincenzina Caputo
Collaborators: Ellen Van Loo (Wageningen University)
This research project tracks consumer preferences and purchasing patterns on online food platforms, exploring the effects of policy and digital interventions on promoting healthier food choices.
TRUST IN SCIENCE
Donor: US. Department of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture – Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Program (USDA-NIFA-AFRI)
Funding Received: $649,699.85
Principal Investigator: Dr. Vincenzina Caputo
Collaborators: Valerie Kilders (Purdue University), John Bailey (Michigan State University), Paul Thomson (Michigan State University)
This project seeks to investigate the relationship between trustworthiness perceptions and consumer behavior, particularly in the context of emerging agri-food biotechnologies, through interdisciplinary research methods.
HIGH-OLEIC SOYBEAN FEED
Donor: Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture (M-AAA)
Funding Received: $148,827.90
Principal Investigator: Dr. Vincenzina Caputo
Collaborators: Adam Lock (Michigan State University)
This project seeks to investigate the market potential for high-oleic soybeans as dairy feed, which could improve supply chain efficiency—thus benefiting producers, consumers, and the environment.
SUPERMARKETS & SUSTAINABILITY
Donor: US. Department of Agriculture - National Science Foundation (NSF)
Funding Received: $393,029
Principal Investigator: Dr. Thomas Reordon (Michigan State University)
Collaborators: Vincenzina Caputo (Michigan State University), Brent Ross (Michigan State University)
This project seeks to investigate the relationship between trustworthiness perceptions and consumer behavior, particularly in the context of emerging agri-food biotechnologies, through interdisciplinary research methods.
COMPLETED PROJECTS
THE MARKET OF MEAT ALTERNATIVES
Donor: US. Department of Agriculture - Economic Research Service (ERS)
Funding Received: $122,500
Principal Investigator: Dr. Vincenzina Caputo
This project explores the market potential for protein alternatives, reviewing existing literature and analyzing consumer acceptance and patterns of substitution.
CAGE-FREE EGGS
Donor: United Egg Producers (UEP) & The Food Industry Association (FMI)
Funding Received: $154,988
Principal Investigator: Dr. Vincenzina Caputo
Collaborators: Jayson Lusk (Oklahoma State University), Glynn Tonsor (Kansas State University)
This study investigated the impacts of transitioning to cage-free egg production on U.S. egg producers and consumers due to changes in state regulations and retailer pledges to cage-free systems.
CONSUMER ATTITUDES TO GENE-EDITED FOODS
Donor: The Food Industry Association (FMI)
Funding Received: $35,000
Principal Investigator: Dr. Vincenzina Caputo
Collaborators: Jayson Lusk (Oklahoma State University)
This project seeks to investigate the relationship between trustworthiness perceptions and consumer behavior, particularly in the context of emerging agri-food biotechnologies, through interdisciplinary research methods.
