Graduate School Newsletter – October 2026

Graduate Alumni on the Move: Kritika Gaba

Originally from Northern India, Kritika Gaba moved to the United States in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, to pursue her master’s degree in biological sciences with a specialization in dairy science at South Dakota State University. Today, she is based in Ontario, Canada, where she's built a career spanning research and development, regulatory affairs and food science.

After graduating from SDSU, Gaba began her career with Fairlife in Chicago as an associate scientist on the research and development long-term research and innovation team. Nearly two years later, she transitioned to regulatory affairs with Coca-Cola Canada, intentionally gaining experience with the Canadian regulatory landscape as she worked toward building her career in Canada. She now serves as a food scientist with Loblaws, Canada’s largest retailer, where she works across a diverse portfolio of products and thousands of stock keeping units.

Gaba has also remained active in the food science community through the Institute of Food Technologists, particularly its Dairy Foods Division. Through volunteering, mentoring and supporting professional initiatives, she has found opportunities to give back while continuing to grow within the field.

Reflecting on her career, she says, “My career hasn’t followed a straight path, but every transition has added another layer to how I approach food science today.”

Gaba credits SDSU with preparing her for more than the technical demands of her career. With encouragement from her advisor, Sanjeev Anand, she stepped outside her comfort zone through professional development opportunities, workshops, networking and professional involvement. Her experience with the Three-Minute Thesis competition taught her how to communicate complex research to audiences, while serving as a graduate teaching assistant strengthened her leadership, communication and mentoring skills. Receiving the Best GTA Award made that experience especially meaningful.

“Technical knowledge may get you into the room, but communication, collaboration, curiosity and the willingness to take initiative are what help you grow once you’re there,” Gaba shared. Those lessons have continued to shape her approach to her career and encourage her to embrace opportunities beyond her original area of study.

Outside of work, Gaba enjoys spending time with her husband, taking evening walks, hiking, going for scenic drives and exploring new places together. She brings that same spirit of curiosity and exploration to her professional life, encouraging current students to remain open to possibilities and step outside their comfort zones.

Her advice to students considering graduate school is simple: “Step outside your comfort zone, explore different experiences and don’t be afraid to say yes. You don’t know what is there for you yet!”

Beyond Graduate School Events

Oct. 7 from 1-1:30 p.m. CST: AI Skills Employers are Looking For in Master’s Students

Oct. 21 from 1-1:30 p.m. CST: Avoiding Job Search Scams as a Master's Student

Nov. 4 from 1-1:30 p.m. CST: How to Stand Out in an AI-Driven Job Market

Beyond the Professoriate Events

Oct. 7 from 11-11:45 a.m. CST: The Key Difference Between Academic and Nonacademic Hiring — and What It Means for Your Job Search

Oct. 21 from 11-11:45 a.m. CST: Going Beyond Subject Matter: How to Identify Skills Employers Want

Nov. 4 from 11-11:45 a.m. CST: How to Research Career Options in Industry

Nov. 18 from 11-11:45 a.m. CST: Building a Network to Help You in Academia and Beyond

Graduate Professionalism Academy

The Graduate Professionalism Academy is an optional, flexible and self-paced program designed to help graduate students build valuable skills while earning badges or certificates along the way. Through the academy, you’ll be able to:

• Boost your resume or CV.
• Build personal and professional skills that last a lifetime.
• Explore current career trends and tools.
• Earn digital badges and certificates to showcase your achievements.

This year, you’ll have the chance to earn credentials from Beyond Graduate School, SDSU Credly and Coursera. Digital badges are verified credentials that recognize your skills, knowledge and accomplishments. They can be shared on LinkedIn, added to your resume and even included in your email signature.

Email your digital badge or certificate to Graduate School before April 1, 2026, for recognition at the Student Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Day (SRSCAD).