Ian Israelsen

Wvu doctoral student, graduate research assistant, award-winning chef and endurance athlete

Ian Israelsen is a doctoral student at West Virginia University from Logan, Utah. He is currently working as the lead graduate research assistant in Dr. Kristen Matak’s food science lab at WVU. He believes that we are all capable of achieving our most audacious dreams through focused efforts and mindfully honoring our true selves. He is an award-winning chef and an endurance athlete. He rode his bicycle across the United States in 43 days, getting married and honeymooning along the way. He has also competed in various ultra-distance running events, the longest was a 100-mile race through the New River Gorge National Park. He spends his spare time innovating food products and playing in the woods. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, three dogs, a cat and a bird.