Food Product Development and Entrepreneurship: Integration of Science, Regulations and Marketing
Abstract: This seminar highlights the most important stages of food product development from ideation to commercialization, focusing on the knowledge required to successfully market innovative products. The role of the Cornell Food Venture Center and the Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture in supporting food entrepreneurship will be emphasized with case studies.
Speaker Biography:
Dr. Padilla-Zakour is a Professor of Food Processing in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University, Director of the Cornell Food Venture Center, and Managing Director of the Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University.
Dr. Padilla-Zakour received her Food Engineering degree at the University of Costa Rica. She earned an M.S. in 1988 and then a Ph.D. in Food Science & Technology from Cornell University in 1991. She joined Cornell as Director of the Food Venture Center in 1997, to lead a premiere extension program of the Department of Food Science. She coordinates and develops outreach programs and extension activities to support new and established entrepreneurs, processors, and farmers seeking to introduce new products into the marketplace. She is a recognized Process Authority in acidified and water activity-controlled foods. She was selected IFT Fellow in 2014 and has received several academic awards. Her research program focuses on safety and quality of value-added, plant-based foods; thermal and nonthermal technologies for food preservation; upcycling byproducts; and new product development.