Driving Innovation through Science and Emerging Technologies
At Ingredion, I serve as Director of Advanced Research Chemistry, leading teams that focus on Molecular and Ingredient Discovery within our Global Innovation Group. I lead a multidisciplinary team of scientists and managers focused on emerging technologies in functional foods and beverages, sustainable innovation, green chemistry, functional ingredients, food chemistry, and novel process technologies.
My teams drive discovery and translational research initiatives, closely collaborating across Ingredion to transform concepts into commercially viable solutions. Our mission is to create next-generation ingredients that support health and wellness, enable clean-label formulations, improve affordability, and reduce environmental impact through green chemistry.
We work across protein innovation, sugar reduction, functional dietary fibers, predictive modeling, bio-based materials, and biotransformation technologies such as enzymatic reactions. We are also exploring low-caloric texturizers and prebiotic systems to enhance sugar reduction and texture. These efforts aim to improve nutrition, support digestive health, and deliver great taste while contributing to healthier lifestyles and a reduced environmental footprint.
Aligned with Ingredion’s sustainability goals, we are exploring minimally processed, upcycled ingredients from agricultural side streams to reduce waste and boost nutritional value. We are also developing plant-based ingredients for recyclable and compostable packaging, creating alternatives to synthetic polymers.
What sets our team apart is the ability to connect rigorous science with purposedriven innovation. I am honored to work with colleagues whose creativity and collaboration fuel progress across food, pharma, personal care, pet nutrition, and home care industries. Together, we aim to build a healthier and more sustainable future for people, animals, and the planet.
The food, beverage, and ingredient landscape is evolving rapidly. Consumers demand wellness-oriented, clean-label products, while AI-enabled molecular modeling and functional ingredients accelerate targeted innovation. By advancing green chemistry, molecular discovery, and open innovation, we ensure our solutions are scalable, economically viable, and future-ready.
From Academia to Global Innovation Leadership
Throughout my career, I pursued this passion across diverse fields—ranging from green chemistry and novel small molecules to functional natural ingredients, food science, advanced encapsulation technologies, materials science, cancer research, and earlystage brain disease detection. My research across these diverse fields led to more than 80 patents and peerreviewed publications. As a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern University, I advanced research in nanomaterials, sustainable energy, and enzyme mimicry under the co-guidance of Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart, and later pioneered NIHsupported research at Harvard University focused on the earlystage detection of cancer and brain diseases.
Some of today’s biggest challenges require cross-functional thinking and the ability to communicate value—scientifically, commercially, and ethically.
These valuable experiences later enabled me to lead my own research program and team as an Assistant Professor. In this role, I directed NIH- and industry-funded projects spanning cancer research, natural products and bioactive ingredients, separation technologies, green (bio)chemical processes, and the application of nanomaterials in food, medicinal, and clean energy fields—covering multiple disciplines across human health, the environment, and beyond. These efforts resulted in nearly 40 patents and publications under my leadership. During this time, I also had the privilege of mentoring and advising over 40 students and scholars—from undergraduates and graduate students to postdoctoral fellows and visiting professors—and I am deeply proud that many of them successfully advanced to their desired next stages in academia, industry, and beyond.
My academic journey gave me a deep appreciation for how science can move beyond the laboratory to solve real-world problems. That same drive continues to guide my work in industry today—where I translate cutting-edge research into innovative products, successful launches, and commercial solutions that improve lives while protecting the planet.
Earning my Executive MBA was a pivotal step—it gave me the strategic, managerial, and financial toolkit to understand how innovation fits into broader commercial and societal contexts, while also strengthening my experience in entrepreneurship, organizational behavior, and global marketing strategies. At Ingredion, I’m fortunate to bridge technical depth with business acumen, leading innovation that is visionary and grounded.
To the next generation: stay curious, think across disciplines and remain mission-driven. Some of today’s biggest challenges require cross-functional thinking and the ability to communicate value—scientifically, commercially and ethically. Science becomes most powerful when it aligns with purpose.
Bridging Science to Real-World Impact
Bridging that gap requires a dual lens—one rooted in science and the other focused on real-world application. Technically, it’s important to design for scalability, functionality and system compatibility. What works in the lab must work in manufacturing and deliver value to the end consumer.
Tools like molecular discovery, computational modeling, AIassisted formulation and open innovation platforms accelerate progress and reduce risk early in the process. We also embed green chemistry, sustainability, and safety metrics into our workflows to ensure our innovations support long-term goals.
From the business side, I’ve learned that early alignment with commercial strategy is key. We start by asking the right questions: What problem are we solving? What value are we creating? What differentiates this solution? This ensures we are not only developing exciting science but also creating viable market solutions.
Finally, never underestimate the power of storytelling. Communicating the "why" behind an innovation—to internal teams, external partners and consumers—can make the difference between a promising idea and a breakthrough success.
Empowering Teams through Purpose and Trust
My leadership philosophy is rooted in empowerment, trust, and shared purpose. It is guided by empathy, active listening, and a commitment to encouraging curiosity and innovation. I believe the best ideas emerge when people feel safe to think boldly, challenge assumptions and learn from setbacks. Innovation thrives in environments built on curiosity, openness and a willingness to explore the unknown.
I emphasize cross-functional collaboration. Whether working with engineers, scientists, AI and data teams, commercial partners, finance teams, or external collaborators, bringing diverse perspectives to the table sparks ideas and keeps us grounded in both technical and market realities.
But most important is the “why” behind our work. We’re not just developing new technologies. We’re helping our customers—like food and beverage brands—create everyday foods that deliver on health, taste and texture, reduce environmental impact and bring together the power of people, nature and technology to make life better. When teams understand the bigger picture and feel that sense of purpose, they are more motivated to push boundaries and drive meaningful impact.
A recent example is the commercially launched VITESSENCE® Pea 200 D, a breakthrough pea protein isolate developed by Ingredion to meet the growing demand for plantbased nutrition. With superior solubility, smooth mouthfeel and a neutral flavor, it effectively addresses key formulation challenges in nutritional beverages. This cross-functional innovation exemplifies how scientific expertise, commercial insight and market awareness can converge to help brands deliver nutritious, great-tasting product.
