Bridging Academia and Industry with Nataly Lopez Baron, Manager of the Guelph Food Innovation Centre (GFIC) (#114)

Nataly Lopez Baron is the Manager of the Guelph Food Innovation Centre (GFIC), an applied research centre that partners with food businesses to transform challenges into practical solutions through research, product development, and pilot plant testing. Originally from Colombia, Nataly earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees before moving to Canada to complete a PhD in Food Science and Technology at the University of Alberta. She has since worked in food research and product development across the dairy, cereals, and supplement industries, bringing that expertise and international perspective to her current role at GFIC. In this episode, we talk about how GFIC helps companies bridge the gap between homemade recipes and commercial-scale production, the unique infrastructure the centre offers—including certified pilot plants—and the success stories that have come out of GFIC’s partnerships. Nataly also shares her own career journey, and what it’s like to lead a food innovation centre where every day brings a new challenge. If you’re curious about how food products move from concept to commercialization, or what it’s like to work at the intersection of research and industry, you’ll enjoy this conversation. Shownotes Nataly Lopez Baron: LinkedIn Guelph Food Innovation Centre: Website/ Instagram / YouTube  *** This week’s episode is sponsored by: University of Guelph’s Food and Agricultural Business Program: Prepare to thrive in Canada’s fast-changing food industry with U of G’s Food and Agricultural Business program. Gain agri-food expertise, business skills, and co-op experience that help you stand out — many students even land jobs before they graduate! *** NEXT EPISODE TO CHECK OUT  #71 – Liana Yee, Junior Product Specialist at Export Packers Company Limited *** SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY CAREER TIPS → Sign up for the newsletter *** COOL THINGS TO CHECK OUT  Explore FoodGrads Career Guides (Ebooks)  Get Career Advice (Blog) *** CONNECT  Connect on Twitter  Connect on Instagram  Connect on LinkedIn  Connect on TikTok  Subscribe on YouTube *** SAY THANKS  Leave a review on Apple Podcasts  Leave a rating on Spotify