Faculty and Staff
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.
Katy Pankey graduated with her Bachelor in Food Science from Cal Poly. She has since joined the Cal Poly Creamery as the Cal Poly Creamery Operations Manager. While a student at Cal Poly, she worked in the creamery and then went on to found Farmgirl Creamery in Santa Margarita, California, where she built a regional reputation making French cheeses of the Savoie region.
Dr. Baheeja Zaitoun is a Research Scientist at the Dairy Products Technology Center (DPTC) at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, where she leads applied research and collaborates with industry partners to develop innovative dairy products. She earned her bachelor's degree in nutrition and food processing and both her M.S. and Ph.D. in Food Science from Kansas State University. Her graduate research focused on optimizing whey protein agglomeration and improving the shelf life and stability of high-protein dairy beverages.
At the DPTC, Dr. Zaitoun's research centers on enhancing the nutritional quality, functionality, and stability of dairy-based products. Her expertise includes functional dairy ingredients, protein chemistry, formulation, and product development. She is committed to translating scientific research into practical, industry-driven solutions that improve product performance, support innovation, and promote consumer health.
In addition to her research, Dr. Zaitoun is dedicated to education and workforce development. She teaches food science courses at Cal Poly, mentors undergraduate students through senior research projects, and contributes to the development and delivery of industry short courses and hands-on workshops. Through these educational activities, she helps prepare the next generation of food scientists while fostering meaningful connections between academia and the dairy industry.
Associated Faculty
Before his tenure at Cal Poly, Dr. Awwad served in various academic roles at the State University of New York at Buffalo, the University of Missouri, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Central Florida. At Cal Poly, Dr. Awwad focuses on teaching Supply Chain Management and Analytics, Facilities Planning & Design, and Senior Design Advising, with prior experience in teaching a broad array of subjects, including Engineering & Project Management, Production Planning & Control, Probability & Statistics, and Design of Experiments, among others. Dr. Awwad has also engaged in consulting projects with various industrial and business partners. He is an APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and a Certified Professional in Engineering Management (CPEM) from the American Society of Engineering Management (ASEM).
Associate Professor in Food Science and Nutrition
Bldg. 10, Rm 237