SSP Past Chair
How did you discover the Sensory Science field?
Like many, my first exposure to sensory science was the single mandatory course within my food science degree. I enjoyed it, but I was not instantly hooked. I was lured in several years later as a product developer. The company where I worked embedded consumer-centricity by teaching product developers to conduct sensory research as part of their projects, they taught us to fish for product guidance insights. At the end of a big project, I was invited to join the sensory team for a 2-year rotation before returning to product development. I like product development; I love sensory research. I also love the depth & evolution of the science, working with consumers, the interconnectivity of the human senses and seeing all the projects from their initial spark.
Tell me about why you are a member of SSP?
To me, SSP is the perfect professional organization with bull's-eye programming to enable me to grow technically and professionally. I am a more relevant and effective Sensory Scientist because SSP helps me grow my technical, science-based knowledge, helps me build my soft skills to make the most of my technical knowledge and provides me with a nurturing ecosystem of like-minded people where I can practice, collaborate and ask questions.
Wonder what one of the biggest challenges you see on the horizon for Sensory Science?
One of our favorite sayings is “It depends”. I think we will be challenged to embrace this philosophy even more as technology, methods and products emerge faster than ever. We need to strengthen our effectiveness to flex along the many continuums we encounter:
- Local—G-Local—Global
- In Context—Virtual-Augmented Reality—Priming—No Context
- Personalized—Segmentation—Mass Appeal
- Instruments (E-mouth, e-tongue, e-nose)—Panels—Consumers
- Test data—Databases—Algorithms-Models
Since you are surrounded about foods and beverages all day, describe a product that gives you the best all-round sensory experience?
Heck that’s a tough one—how about 3 experiences? Ice cream (Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla) is one of my everyday favorites: cold, creamy smooth, rich vanilla. I really appreciate the shower gels from Bath and Body Works because they have the perfect consistency to adhere and rinse clean with authentic, high fidelity aromas. And I absolutely love home grown cherry tomatoes straight off the vine—so juicy, savory and sweet; nothing like it!
