Chris Findlay, PhD, CFS

Background

As the chairman, founder, and architect of Compusense, Chris Findlay provides a lifetime worth of skill and experience in the sensory and consumer science field. Founding Compusense in 1986, Chris has been an active participant and promoter of the growth of the sensory and consumer science community. From the beginning, he has been committed to “good science” and has always been reluctant to support dubious sensory methods. In the early days of temporal research, Chris and his colleagues pioneered dual-attribute time intensity and also developed the Feedback Calibration Method for training proficient descriptive analysis panelists—a method that continues to save clients valuable time and budget. On August 31, 2021, Chris stepped down from the role of CEO at Compusense. He will continue to offer his services through C-K Findlay Consultants Inc.

Chris enjoys having the ability to conduct independent research with talented and generous collaborators from around the globe, continuing to contribute to the ever-expanding community of sensory and consumer science.

IFT Highlights

Chris has been an active member of IFT since 1978. In 2016 he was elected to the Board of Directors and currently serves as treasurer. He is a past chair of the Sensory Evaluation Division and in 2011 was honored with IFT’s inaugural Sensory and Consumer Sciences Achievement Award. In 2012, Chris received the Sensory and Consumer Sciences Award for Outstanding Service. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists and the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology.

Education

BS in chemistry from Concordia University, Montreal 

MS in food science from the University of Guelph

PhD in food science from the University of Guelph