2024 Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Kyle Landry

Kyle Landry MS ’12 PhD ’16 is a recipient of the 2024 College of Natural Sciences (CNS) Outstanding Young Alumni Award. 

Landry earned his Master’s and Doctorate of Food Science (’12, ’16) from UMass Amherst, and earned a Certificate in Business Foundations from UMass's Isenberg School of Management. He is co-founder and president of Delavie Sciences LLC—a company that seeks to “bring innovative and functional ingredients to the personal care industry”—and he has been instrumental in driving the company’s success through his leadership in product development, patent submissions, and strategic marketing initiatives. 

"It is easy to see the forest for the trees when you stand on the shoulders of giants,” says Landry. “That is exactly what the faculty and staff at UMass allowed me to do. By exposing me to cutting-edge research and providing me with a robust skill set, I was able to forge my own path in the life sciences.” 

Lynne A. McLandsborough, PhD, the interim associate vice chancellor for research and engagement and a professor for the Department of Food Science, and the interim director for the Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE), recalls her time with Landry as a student at UMass and reflects on his post-graduate career: “When Kyle was a graduate student working on antimicrobial delivery systems in my laboratory, he was intensely curious, creative, and interested in science's practical applications. Since graduating in 2016, he has continued to build upon his scientific interests and brings a unique intensity and entrepreneurial spirit to all his projects.” 

Michael A. Fox, PhD, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, applauds Landry’s success, as well as his commitment to bringing visibility to his alma mater: “The combination of scientific curiosity, entrepreneurial savvy, and willingness to push boundaries have propelled Dr. Landry’s impressive ascent to be an industry leader less than a decade after earning his doctorate from CNS. Despite being early in his career, Dr. Landy has not only had a major impact on his industry, but he has already volunteered his time and industry expertise to help promote the success of the UMass Amherst Department of Food Science. An exemplary alumnus—we are grateful for Dr. Landry’s commitment to UMass and are proud of his incredible accomplishments.” 

Under Landry’s direction, Delavie Sciences LLC continues to make significant strides in developing cutting-edge ingredients and final-product formulations, showcasing Landry’s expertise in both scientific innovation and business acumen.