Faculty and Staff

FACULTY

Dr. Carmen Licon serves as the Director Cal Poly Dairy Products Technology Center since August 2023 and the Director of the Pacific Coast Coalition - Dairy Business Innovation Initiative since 2021. She is a seasoned professional with a rich background in dairy products development and sensory evaluation with professional experience in Mexico, Spain, France and the United States. Her journey in academia commenced in October 2017 when she joined the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at Fresno State. Dr. Licon is a proud alumna of the University of Castilla La Mancha, Spain, where she earned both her M.S. and Ph.D. in Agricultural Science and Engineering. Her academic journal also includes a B.Sc. in Food Engineering from Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, in Mexico. She has co-authored 16 peer review publications, 5 book chapters, organized and led the instruction of short courses and webinars, gave over 30 presentations to industry groups and academics and advised more than 20 undergraduate and graduate students. She holds a patent for the method of producing pressed ewes milk cheese with saffron. She also has served as a judge in multiple food contests, including the Concours General Agricole in Paris, France.