In today's episode, Brandon Hatchett and Emily Ager are returning to do a podcast with Dr. Lingyan Kong, who is an assistant professor at the University of Alabama. Dr. Kong's focuses on food science through interdisciplinary research. He will discuss his path into food science research, and his work with students here at UA. Dr. Kong's research group hopes to understand the structure-function relationships in food biopolymers at the molecular, microscopic and macroscopic levels, and to develop food materials of unique structures and properties for improving food quality and nutritional benefits. His research group values interdisciplinary and collaborative research projects that integrate knowledge from food science, nutrition, physical chemistry, and materials science. Their in-depth inquiry in the field of food science and nutrition should ultimately aim at finding solutions for a safe, nutritious, and affordable food supply that enhances quality of life and human health.For more information about Dr. Kong's research, check out his website at: https://lkong.people.ua.edu/research.html.