Alternative Protein Symposium: Bridging Science and Society

Join Bruce Friedrich and our Alt Protein Project leaders from NC State, Duke University, and Virginia Tech at the Alternative Protein Symposium: Bridging Science and Society.\n\nThe Alternative Protein Symposium: Bridging Science and Society convenes students, researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers for two days of big ideas and real-world insight. Meat demand is rising. So is innovation. From plant-based breakthroughs to fermentation and cultivated meat, scientists and entrepreneurs are developing new ways to make the foods people love—using fewer resources and expanding what’s possible. This symposium dives into the science behind these advances and the broader questions they raise about food security, sustainability, economic opportunity, and consumer choice.\n\nOn Day 1, Bruce Friedrich, founder and president of the Good Food Institute, will share what it takes to move innovation from lab bench to marketplace. Through GFI’s work across science, policy, and industry, he helps accelerate research, secure public investment, and support companies building the next generation of protein.\n\nWith keynote talks, panels, and student research presentations, the symposium creates space for ideas to connect across disciplines. Supported by the Alt Protein Project at NC State, Duke University, and Virginia Tech, the event highlights the growing academic momentum behind protein diversification.