Kriza Calumba

Featured on September 11, 2022

Kriza Calumba is an Assistant Professor in Food Science and Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Mindanao.

Kriza graduated from the University of the Philippines Mindanao with a Bachelor’s degree in food technology, magna cum laude. Her undergraduate research—which was awarded best undergraduate thesis—revolved around assessing a particular Lactobacillus species as a biopreservative for pork under public market conditions.

After graduating, she worked as a lecturer and instructor at UP Mindanao. She then took up her Masters in Food Science at the Louisiana State University in the USA under a Fulbright-CHED scholarship. There, she continued her research into Lactobacilli, studying how Lactobacillus-containing ale beer could potentially deliver probiotics.

Her current research interests focus on probiotics, beer, underutilized resources, and the development of a traceability system for tuna in the Davao region.

Some fun facts about Kriza:

1. She loves dancing. While at LSU, she volunteered to teach dance lessons to international students along with an Indian friend and they called the classes “Bolly Hop.”
2. She has a small larkspur-designed tattoo (July birth flower) to symbolize positivity and an open mind.
3. Mixing passion and business, she opened a shop called @theteacultureph (the first living yogurt milk tea). She drinks her product almost everyday.

Bonus fun fact!

• She met the love of her life while pursuing her Masters.