10/20/2026
By Susan D'Amore

The HEROES Seminar Series, in collaboration with the Department of Plastics Engineering, is hosting an "Overview of the Combat Feeding Division: Developing Technologies for Military Field Feeding."

  • Date: Nov. 4
  • Time: noon – 2 p.m.
  • Location: Saab ETIC Perry Atrium

The Combat Feeding Division (CFD) at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center in Natick, Mass., executes the DoW Joint Service Combat Feeding Research and Engineering Program. Members of the division support research, development, testing and engineering for field feeding technologies to deliver solutions for evolving challenges in providing Warfighters nutrition to support their operational mission. These technologies include military ration formulations, field feeding equipment, novel packaging solutions and methods to detect and mitigate contaminants in food and water. The seminar will provide an overview of historic efforts, current focus areas and future interests, with specific focus on packaging technologies for shelf-stable ration platforms such as Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE), close combat assault ration (CCAR) and unitized group rations (UGR). The speakers will also discuss experiences as Army Working Professionals and their overall career journeys, with time for student and faculty questions.

Presented by

Michael Wiederoder, Ph.D.

Michael Wiederoder is strategic integrator and external engagement lead for the Combat Feeding Division at the U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center in Natick, Mass. In his role, he supports execution and strategy for the DoW Combat Feeding Research and Engineering Program to develop material solutions for military rations, equipment, and technologies to support Warfighter nutrition and performance. Dr. Wiederoder is a research bioengineer and food scientist by training, with technical expertise in biosensors, food and water safety, microfluidics, and nanotechnology.

Kerry Candlen, Ph.D.

Kerry Candlen is a packaging scientist on the Food Protection and Innovative Packaging Team at the U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center. Her research focuses on optimizing ration packaging to enhance Warfighter performance, safety, and operational effectiveness. Dr. Candlen's primary initiatives include redefining barrier metrics for Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) packaging and engineering lighter, lower-volume packaging solutions to minimize logistical footprints and field-waste burdens.

  • UML alum: B.S. (’21), M.S. (’22), Ph.D. (’25)
  • Ph.D. adviser: Prof. Grace Chen, Department of Plastics Engineering

For more information, email Prof. Ramaswamy Nagarajan at Ramaswamy_Nagarajan@uml.edu or Traci DiSalvatore at Traci_DiSalvatore@uml.edu.