Food Scientist

• Nov 2022 - Present

Research Associate II

• Sep 2019 - Nov 2022

• Formulated benchtop samples for plant-based analogues for a variety of QSR, retail, and foodservice customers • Brought multiple plant-based products to scale in a pilot lab • Advised commercialization team on cooking/ingredient guidelines for several unique plant-based meat analogues • Gained knowledge of plant-based gelling ingredients and how to accurately gel/formulate the ingredient to maximize its textural capacity, including but not limited to protein isolate/concentrate, starches (modified and natural), and hydrocolloids • Worked within non-GMO and allergen-free guidelines while bringing product costs down effectively

Summer R&D Intern

• May 2018 - Aug 2018

• Created a line of SKUs in a chocolate-based snack brand for on-time pipeline launch • Conducted flavor work with flavor houses • Optimized ingredient pricing pre-production phase • Coordinated cross-functional work between sensory, marketing, operations, and quality assurance teams to ensure a cost and resource-efficient product is made in current manufacturing facilities • Created a line of SKUs in a chocolate-based snack brand for on-time pipeline launch • Conducted flavor work with flavor houses • Optimized ingredient pricing pre-production phase • Coordinated cross-functional work between sensory, marketing, operations, and quality assurance teams to ensure a cost and resource-efficient product is made in current manufacturing facilities

Food Safety and Quality Assurance Intern

• May 2017 - Aug 2017

• Collaborated with QA Techs to ensure safety and quality of products • Created a more efficient quality data collection system in PlantView • Observed HACCP plans in action • Worked on foreign object reports and SSOP checklists • Collaborated with QA Techs to ensure safety and quality of products • Created a more efficient quality data collection system in PlantView • Observed HACCP plans in action • Worked on foreign object reports and SSOP checklists

Lifeguard

• Jun 2013 - Aug 2016