Rebeca Lopez-Garcia, PhD

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Rebeca was raised in Mexico City where she received her B.S. degree in Food Science. She spent several years in the United States pursuing graduate studies. After receiving her Ph.D., she moved back to Mexico. However, for personal reasons, she later moved to Madrid, Spain where she lived and worked for a year before coming back to Mexico City where she currently lives. Food Science has always been her passion. She has been an active member of IFT since she was an undergraduate student and served in many positions in the student association and has remained an active volunteer. Recently, she took a brief break from volunteer positions to enjoy time with her handsome baby boy who has just turned 3 years old.

Dr. Lopez-Garcia has been an independent consultant working with the food industry around the world for eleven years. She enjoys teaching and has always stayed associated with at least one university and works with different organizations as a risk communicator. Lately, her family has been involved in different environmental projects. They have received funding to reforest land in the State of Mexico. In the last five years they have planted approximately 20,000 trees in areas that used to receive Monarch butterfly migration. In the last two years they have been able to see butterflies coming back to this area. In addition, they have worked with funding awarded for a farming project to start a plantation for commercial fruit production. Thus, they are starting to generate jobs for the community surrounding the area and showing them they can make a living without destroying the forest or migrating to other areas.

Rebeca strongly believes in staying active in her community and professional organizations fostering science and technology as a means for development.

What do you feel you can contribute to the growth and advancement of IFT?
I believe I can bring a multicultural and multidisciplinary point of view to the Board of Directors. My international perspective can contribute to create a broader vision for the advancement of IFT. My experience involves working with the whole gamut of institutions from industry to academia, from non-government to international organizations and regulatory agencies provides me with a unique view that comprises the interests of many of IFT´s stakeholders. Most importantly, my passion for my profession and industry guarantees that I will serve the IFT community to the best of my ability.

What are the three most important strategic issues facing the profession and the industry that align with IFT's goals and how would you address these as a member of the Board of Directors?
Lack of scientific vocations
Food science and technology still present professional opportunities; however, students are deciding against pursuing scientific careers. This leads to a lack of talented young human resources and future problems with the development and application of basic science and technology in favor of a mere commercial vision. IFT should remain a reference for sound science and scientific activities that encourage participation of young professionals. This can only be achieved with a vision beyond the current crisis. I would help bring a multidisciplinary approach and help identify areas where IFT has lost its edge and develop strategies that will encourage young people to pursue scientific careers.

Personal involvement
Although new technologies have invaded our professional lives, it is important to maintain focus on personal involvement and bring new generations the satisfaction of staying active in a community. I plan to help develop strategies that would enhance member involvement beyond the current social media trends. IFT needs a balance to ensure that all members are adequately represented and provide ample opportunities for professional satisfaction.

Changing environment
It is undeniable that the economic environment has changed and new challenges will keep evolving. The opportunity lies beyond surviving the crisis. Nowadays, organizations face not only competition but also a struggle to survive that goes from facing supplies of cheaper but more questionable ingredients to the increasing price of raw agricultural commodities to competition for resources from other industries; or in the case of academia, from other disciplines. IFT will not be a stranger to this and will continue to face challenges from other events and scientific organizations. I will use my multicultural vision and experience in international development to generate creative strategies to embrace the unique opportunities generated by the current environment.

Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors and how has your work and volunteer experiences prepared you to be a strategic board member?
I have always been an active member of IFT because I believe in community participation and personal involvement. I was a highly involved undergraduate and graduate student and held different positions within the student association. My participation in different committees and task forces has always been in line with my professional interests and abilities. From strategic planning to global interests the range of positions I have served show not only my involvement in the community but also my vision and alignment with IFT's current strategic vision. In addition, I currently participate as the Member of Scientific Advisory Boards of different multinational companies and have helped them shape their vision and strategies with sound science and risk management decisions that go beyond the mere commercial interests. I believe that my multicultural and multidisciplinary background will make me a strategic board member that considers the heterogeneous membership and challenges faced by the organization. I have been able to demonstrate the ability of translating basic science to tend to different needs with a creative approach and I believe I can use that experience to help shape the future of IFT.

What defines a successful board and how would you contribute?
A successful board provides the organization with a strategic vision and is committed to bringing focus to the organization to ensure not only its leadership but also a vision to grow in the future and stay abreast of new challenges. A successful board is always committed to serving its stakeholder's interests. I can help the board by providing a unique multicultural vision. My background working with industry, regulatory agencies, international development agencies and academic institutions provides me with a vision that relates to most key stakeholders within IFT.

Formal Education
Michigan State University: Certificate in International Food Law, 2002
International HACCP Alliance: Train the trainer certificate, 1999
Louisiana State University: PhD, Food Science Concentration Toxicology, 1998, Minor: Environmental Studies
Universidad La Salle, México: BS, Chemistry/Food Science, Lic. Química (Honors), 1995

Career History

Organization	Position(s) Held	Dates of Employment
Independent Consultant	Consultant	2000-Present
Michigan State University	Lead instructor for Latin American Food Regulations	2005-Present
Tate & Lyle	International Product Manager, Citric Acid	1998-2000
Louisiana State University	Research/Teaching Assistant, Department of Food Science	1995-1998

Leadership Experience

Organization	Position	Dates Held
“Premio Nestle Funsalud”	Jury	2011
World Mycotoxin Journal	Editor	2007-Present
“Premio Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos CONACYT/Coca Cola”	Jury	2007-Present
First and Second World Mycotoxin Fora	Scientific Committee	2001 and 2003
Institute of Food Technologists	Senior Food Officials Committee, Chair	2008-2009
Institute of Food Technologists	Senior Food Officials Committee	2005-2008
Institute of Food Technologists	Food Safety and Quality Conference Committee	2004-2006
Institute of Food Technologists	Food Laws and Regulations Division, Treasurer	2002-2003
Institute of Food Technologists	Continuing Education Committee, Chair	2002-2003
Institute of Food Technologists	Continuing Education Committee	1999-2003
Institute of Food Technologists	Committee for Global Interests, Student Representative	1996-1998
Institute of Food Technologists	Strategic Planning Task Force	1996-1997
Institute of Food Technologists	Student Association, Operations Chair	1995-1996
Louisiana State University	Food Science Club President	1996-1997
Institute of Food Technologists	Annual Meeting General Arrangements Committee	2002-2003
Louisiana State University	Food Science Club Vice-President	1995-1996

Professional and Community Recognition

Institute of Food Technologists/Grocery Manufacturers of America Graduate Fellowship, 1997-1998
American Association of Cereal Chemists Graduate Fellowship, 1997-1998
Institute of Food Technologists, Louisiana Gulf Coast Section Graduate Scholarship, 1997
Institute of Food Technologists Graduate Fellowship, 1996-1997
American Association of Cereal Chemists Graduate Fellowship, 1996-1997
Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) National Honor Leadership Society, 1996-
Institute of Food Technologists, Mid-South Section, Scholarship Award, 1995
Louisiana State University Graduate Tuition Award, 1995-1998
Consejo Nacional De Ciencia y Tecnología Graduate Fellowship (Scholarship to complete graduate studies from Mexico´s National Science and Technology Council), 1995-1998
Universidad La Salle Medalla Hermano Miguel (Medal awarded to the valedictorian student in the School of Chemistry), 1995
Premio Salvador Gonzalez (Universidad La Salle Research Award), 1994
Undergraduate Scholarship from Mexico´s Secretariat of Education, 1992-1994