What are some of your favorite responsibilities in your current role?
I am passionate about food safety and food science. I am part of the technical team thus I get to help with product development and research.
What other professional experiences have you had and what did you learn from those experiences?
I currently oversee different departments such as sanitation and pest control. I also assist our huller and sheller facility. In my previous job, I assisted 3 facilities that handled tree nuts and seeds. Further experiences include processing/manufacturing such as steam pasteurizing, dry roasting, dicing, mealing, sizing, sorting, pressing and paste processing; Research & Development such as developing new processing and manufacturing techniques and ideas for tree nuts, equipment process improvement, validations studies for Almonds, seeds, and other tree nuts. I also have experience in the bakery world. I used to be the Quality & Food Safety manager for a wholesale bakery that manufactures cupcakes, muffins, and cakes. I am also an alternate the Almond Board of California's Quality & Food Safety Committee. I also collaborate with ABC’s Technical Director conducting shelf-life studies. As a member of the Peanut & Tree Nut Processors Association (PTNPA), this year I was one of the speakers for PTNPA’s Technical Forum 2021. in 2020, I assist and co-author on " Handbook on Safe Processing of Nuts" published by the PTNPA. In all my experiences I learned that I like to learn, and I learned that I am never going to stop learning.
What is your favorite hobby and why does that hobby bring you joy?
Eating! I really like the flavor and mouthfeel experience different combinations food can give, Haha! I also enjoy oil painting, reading, adventuring, and spending quality time with my family.
What drew you to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Master of Science in Food Science Program that is delivered online?
I specifically picked the university of Illinois because the Online Master’s program is for people working in the industry and most importantly and my favorite part is that the program is science based.
How has the program assisted you in achieving your professional goals?
I am enjoying every single class I have attended. It has awakened my mind to a pool of possibilities and opportunities! Every day I am thinking ok, so how can I apply everything I have learned? how does this affect my current process? It's just so much fun.
What is one piece of advice that you could give to prospective or current students to help them succeed in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Master of Science in Food Science Program that is delivered online?
For prospective students I would say "Don't hesitate! it is a wise choice you are making, and it will change your life" and for current students, "My colleagues let's keep pushing." Haha!