Food Technologist
Food Science postgraduate driving innovation in the nuts & FMCG sector —
from lab bench to commercial scale.
I'm a passionate Food Science postgraduate with hands-on R&D experience in the nuts and FMCG sector, backed by strong QC and QA expertise.
I've led New Product Development (NPD) for nut bars, peanut butter variants, coated peanuts, and popped fox nuts — handling everything from formulation design and pilot trials to sensory evaluation and shelf life studies.
I optimize formulations and processes for texture, stability, yield, and cost efficiency to support commercial scale-up. My international experience includes supplier evaluations and machinery trials in China.
My work spans regulatory compliance with UAE food safety standards (Dubai Food Code), and international systems including CODEX, HACCP, FSSC 22000, BRCGS, and GMP.
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS)
MES Kalladi College, University of Calicut
MES HSS, Mannarkkad
Designed and developed a food waste-based bioelectrochemical system using microorganisms for sustainable household waste management at KSCSTE-CWRDM.
Participated in developing a clean-label, plant-based protein powder using de-oiled rice bran via Hydro-Microbial Infusion technology, supporting food waste valorization and circular economy principles. — Kalady Rice Millers Consortium.
Analyzed urban challenges and proposed sustainable solutions through research, data interpretation, and a survey at the International URSA Major Hackathon: Sustainable City Development. Co-authored a publication in Elsevier (Dec 2025).
The Case of Smart City Development in Kochi
I worked with Hafin as part of the organizing team for the Association of Food Scientists and Technologists India, where he volunteered and played an active role in making the event a success. He took initiative in connecting with industry professionals and academics, handled his responsibilities efficiently, and contributed meaningfully to discussions and panel sessions. His teamwork, strong foundation in food science, and genuine enthusiasm for learning about new technologies and innovations were clearly evident throughout the project. Hafin is sincere, dependable, and easy to work with. I am confident he will continue to grow and excel in his professional journey.
I had the opportunity to work with Hafin during his time at KSCSTE-CWRDM, where I was his senior in the research team. He was enthusiastic, sincere, and quick to learn. Hafin showed strong research skills. His interest in R&D was clear from the proactive way he approached challenges and contributed ideas. A dedicated team player with great potential.
I had the opportunity to work with Hafin during our internship at Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages. He was always proactive, eager to learn, and very knowledgeable about food technology. Hafin paid great attention to detail and worked really well with the team. His dedication and positive attitude made him a great teammate. Wishing him all the best.
I had the opportunity to work with Hafin during my internship at Pavizham Oil & Foods, and it was a truly valuable experience. He is a highly knowledgeable and supportive professional who guided me throughout my learning journey. His leadership and clear communication made the work environment positive and motivating. I gained a lot of practical insights and confidence under his mentorship. I'm grateful for his constant guidance and encouragement, which helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Open to product innovation, R&D, and technical support roles in the food industry.
R&D Associate · Sharjah, UAE · Aug 2025 – Present
Attended a technical training session conducted by Butter Buds — a valuable experience from a food R&D perspective. The session delivered deep insights into butter flavour technology: formulation approaches, flavour intensity optimisation, application techniques, and how such solutions can be applied effectively across snacks, bakery, savoury products, and fat-reduced formulations.
The discussions around sensory impact, flavour delivery, and clean-label considerations were particularly insightful. Real-world application examples and open technical exchanges made the session genuinely impactful — bridging ingredient innovation with product development challenges we face on the ground.
Participated in Gulfood Manufacturing 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre — a highly enriching experience from an R&D and innovation perspective. The event provided strong exposure to emerging food processing technologies, ingredient innovations, and advanced flavour and seasoning systems aligned with evolving consumer preferences.
What stood out most were the technical discussions and knowledge exchange with R&D professionals, technologists, and solution providers. Conversations around product optimisation, clean-label approaches, process efficiency, shelf-life improvement, and sensory-driven formulation were particularly insightful — bridging research with real-world product development and continuous improvement within manufacturing environments.
Inventory & Production Control Officer · Ernakulam, India · Sep 2024 – Jun 2025
Served as a sensory panellist at Pavizham, participating in an affective sensory evaluation to identify the most consumer-preferred paayasam mix. The study used the 9-point hedonic scale — a gold-standard tool in sensory science that measures consumer liking and preference with reliable, reproducible results across different panels and product types.
This hands-on experience reinforced the importance of merging scientific rigour with culinary heritage. Evaluating culturally rooted products through structured sensory methodology highlighted how straightforward tools can generate powerful insights to guide product development decisions that truly resonate with consumers.
Initiated a cross-functional shadowing opportunity with the sales and distribution team to understand operations after a product leaves the factory. Accompanied the sales team to various retail outlets to observe distributor and retailer interactions first-hand, gaining valuable insights into the logistics, communication challenges, delivery hurdles, and customer expectations that shape the supply chain.
This ground-level exposure highlighted the critical relationship between production decisions and downstream logistics. It reinforced my belief that interdepartmental learning and holistic supply chain awareness are essential for driving product success and continuous improvement within the food industry.
Attended the 16th edition of FoodTech Kerala, the state’s leading food processing and packaging expo, as part of an official visit alongside Pavizham's leadership team.
The event brought together innovators and technologists to discuss emerging trends, sustainable solutions, and advancements in processing equipment, packaging, and smart manufacturing. The expo served as a strategic platform to explore state-of-the-art technologies and evaluate methods to bridge traditional practices with modern innovations in food safety, quality systems, and production control.
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) · 2022 – 2024
Earned a Master’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS). This milestone reflects years of dedication to understanding the complexities of food science.
The academic journey involved comprehensive exploration of food safety, sustainability, and industrial innovation, supported by rigorous research, internships, and industry collaborations. This foundational expertise drives my ongoing commitment to contributing meaningful advancements to the food technology sector.
International URSA MAJOR Hackathon · Kochi · Nov 2024
Participated in the Small-Scale Research Project (SSRP) and presented our findings during the international week-long hackathon, URSA MAJOR. Our project, "Barriers for Smart City Development," focused on the historic neighbourhood of Mattancherry in Kochi, mentored by Dr. Sobah Petersen and Dr. Bintang Prabowo from NTNU.
We engaged with key stakeholders — including Cochin Smart Mission Limited, local police, vendors, and residents — conducting surveys and interactive sessions to identify challenges. This enriching experience helped me develop skills in stakeholder engagement, research, problem-solving, and public speaking, culminating in presenting our actionable solutions to a distinguished global audience.
Engaged in a truly transformative week at the URSA MAJOR Hackathon, jointly organized by the Nansen Environmental Research Centre (India) and NERSC (Norway). The event brought together international experts and multidisciplinary students to focus on sustainable city development in the global south.
Through expert-led sessions on air quality monitoring, modelling, and remote sensing — guided by speakers from institutions like IIT Bombay, NTNU, and the Research Council of Norway — I gained comprehensive insights into urban sustainability strategies. This collaborative environment profoundly expanded my research and problem-solving perspectives for a sustainable future.
KSCSTE-CWRDM · Kozhikode, India
For my dissertation, I focused on one of the most pressing environmental issues: food waste management. My research involved developing a food waste-based bioelectrochemical system using Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) to convert food waste into energy—a sustainable approach for household waste.
Constructed MFCs that utilized food waste as a substrate, harnessing microbial activity to generate electricity. The study included voltage measurements, MLVSS analysis, COD analysis, and polarization testing to evaluate energy potential, completed under the mentorship of scientists at KSCSTE-CWRDM.
Joined the CWRDM team on a two-day field survey for the project "Identification of Water Stress Hot Spots in Kerala." Alongside a project fellow from the Department of Ecology and Environment, we visited Malappuram District, covering areas like Nilambur Municipality and Karulai Grama Panchayat.
Our work involved visiting municipal offices to gather official insights, conducting on-site visits to hotspot locations, surveying households to understand local challenges firsthand, and recording geographic coordinates for each location. This fieldwork was an invaluable experience that enhanced my field data collection, analytical, and geographical data recording skills.
Microbial Electrochemical Technologies · Kozhikode · Jun 2024
Participated in the DST-SERB High-End Workshop on Microbial Electrochemical Technologies at KSCSTE-CWRDM, inaugurated by Dr. M.M. Ghangrekar (Director, NIT Puducherry). The 7-day program provided comprehensive sessions on fundamental principles, bioelectrochemical systems, reactor fabrication, and electrochemical monitoring methods.
Participated in an academic visit to NIT Calicut, featuring expert talks and hands-on demonstrations at the Electrochemical Engineering Laboratory. The session focused on advanced tools essential for studying bioelectrochemical processes, electrode fabrication, and biofilm analysis techniques.
Participated in daily brainstorming sessions focused on understanding challenges in bioelectrochemical systems. Collaborating in diverse teams allowed us to identify real-world problems, develop critical thinking, and strengthen communication skills by discussing innovative solutions with peers from across India.
Attended an insightful presentation by Dr. Magesh N S (Top 2% of World Scientists) on the art of writing and publishing research papers. The session covered structuring research methodology, impactful writing tips, and practical strategies for navigating academic journals and peer reviews.
Care & Support for Children with Long-term Illness
Actively volunteered with SOLACE, an organization dedicated to supporting children with long-term illnesses. Participated in community events, including birthday celebrations and organized outings like the "Kids Day Out" trip to Thattekkad, contributing to a supportive and joyful environment for the children and their families.
Rotaract Club of KUFOS & Autism Club
Volunteering with the Rotaract Club of KUFOS and the Rotary International Autism Club has been an engaging journey. From organizing campus activities to hosting festive celebrations, these moments highlight the power of teamwork, leadership, and bringing joy to the community.