Experience

Farmer Foodshare
• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Photographer

  • Aug 2023 - Present


Whole Foods Market

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Produce Team Member

  • Mar 2014 - Jul 2023

  I held various positions during my time at Whole Foods Market, including Produce Department Team Member, Floral Department Supervisor, Grocery Department Team Member, Grocery Department Order Writer (Buyer), and Grocery Department PM Supervisor. I am so grateful for the number of formative years I spent with WFM and all that I learned and achieved during that time. And of course, I'm incredibly grateful for all the wonderful people I had the pleasure of working with. While employed here I helped to lead a team to adopt new operating procedures. I trained new team members in company policies and standard operating procedures. I prioritized daily tasks and devised action plans to complete tasks efficiently, while also maintaining a level of adaptability necessary for the retail environment. I communicated effectively to both store and team management, as well as other team members. I was responsible for purchasing products, managing purchase orders, stocking, and maintaining shelf conditions. I practiced safe transport, handling, and merchandising of raw food products, including monitoring display and storage conditions to ensure integrity of critical control points, e.g., temperatures, properly operating equipment. I collaborated with other store associates to actualize the company’s core value of ‘Shared Fate’/teamwork. I developed very strong customer service skills to enhance customers' shopping experience. Show less



University of Florida

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Safety & Hazardous Waste Lab Manager

  • Jul 2022 - May 2023

  I determined and assigned training requirements for laboratory workers based on their duties and ensured appropriate safety training specific to laboratory/research area operations had been provided and completed. I maintained up-to-date chemical inventory. I ensured the proper disposal of hazardous materials according to university procedures. I maintained compliance with university policies and procedures and ensured campus and laboratory practices, policies, safety manuals, and SOPs were followed by laboratory workers as outlined in the university and lab-specific Chemical Hygiene Plans. Show less

• Research Assistant

  • Aug 2021 - May 2023

  MS Thesis: "Macronutrients and Bioactive Compounds Present in Calabaza (tropical pumpkin) Breeding Lines and Correlations with Color"My research, made possible via Southern SARE of the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, satisfied the food science component of this grant-funded project evaluating the potential of novel calabaza breeding lines in conventional and organic cropping systems in the southeastern region of the contiguous United States. I analyzed and compared key quality components and bioactive compounds in raw calabaza. I then correlated the resulting concentrations of these compounds with colorimetric measurements to evaluate the potential predictive capacity of raw flesh color for these compounds. My research was inspired by the need for faster, less expensive, and greener secondary methods of phytonutrient analysis in crops and the desire to determine the most nutritious of the calabaza breeding lines being developed. I believe colorimetry as a secondary method of nutrient analysis would be especially useful for plant breeders in developing countries where resources may be limited and nutrient deficiencies abound. I am proud to highlight that my work has also contributed to sustaining my home state of Florida's food system in the wake of its blighted citrus industry by supporting an alternative crop with high nutritional value and economic potential. Show less

• Teaching Assistant

  • Aug 2021 - May 2023

  I supported educators, professors, and program directors in the following courses to thoughtfully disseminate foundational and application-based learning materials to students of varying ages and backgrounds: Taste X UF Experiential Learning Program, Principles of Food Processing, Flavor Chemistry, and Introduction to Unit Operations in Food Processing. I worked to enhance student learning outcomes by meeting students where they were. I effectively communicated issues to my immediate supervisor and worked in a timely manner to meet very specific grading deadlines. Show less

• Graduate Student Peer Reviewer

  • Apr 2022 - Dec 2022

  I reviewed manuscript(s) submitted for publication to the University of Florida Journal of Undergraduate Research. I successfully managed strict deadlines and adhered to specific reviewing guidelines set forth by the journal's editorial staff.

• Assistant Event Coordinator

  • Jul 2022 - Jul 2022

  I worked under the direction of the Food Science & Human Nutrition Department Chair to host underserved high school students from Immokalee, FL during their weeklong stay on the Gainesville campus. I proposed and implemented valuable food science-related activities to enhance student learning (e.g., tour of sensory taste panel and kitchen). I effectively delegated various tasks and responsibilities to multiple volunteers before and during the event. I lead in the set up and break down of various activities. I played a key role in post-program assessment and successive curriculum improvement to better achieve target outcomes. Show less



First Magnitude Brewing Co.

• United States
• Food Production
• 1 - 100 Employee

• QA/QC Technician

  • Sep 2019 - Mar 2020

  I demonstrated proficiency in technical skills requisite for a quality control/quality assurance laboratory setting, closely monitoring products for potential physical, chemical, and biological contamination. I honed my skills in microbiology and chemistry laboratory work. I assisted in implementing and standardizing processes in the lab and brewhouse (e.g., sample contamination grading scale, some standard operating procedures, efficient uses of supplies). I used my strong attention to detail to record meticulous and thorough notes on product samples. I organized storage areas/supplies and maintained files, logs, and ongoing records/documents. I effectively communicated any and all abnormal lab results to the head brewer and lab manager and performed follow-up testing when requested. Show less