Helping Change the World through Food

Hi! I am Kriza Faye Calumba, your resident #PinoyScientist and food scientist this week. It’s #MotivationMonday, so it’s high time to ask ourselves – what keeps us going? ☺️

As a food scientist, I am passionate about helping change the world through food. There is so much untapped potential in our resources and we need experts to lead impactful research to address issues faced by the various food sectors. Seeing how many people still do not have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food ignited my desire for food science – so I can contribute to upholding food security, food safety and quality, and good health. With my undergraduate research on using lactic acid bacteria from nipa to preserve raw pork and my Master’s research on producing beer with probiotics protected in durian rind powder, I’ve come to realize that even the smallest organisms – the good bacteria – can do wonders! ????????‍????

I’ve been teaching food science and chemistry courses at UP Mindanao for eight years now (how time flies!). My international experiences as an exchange student in Singapore ???????? and graduate student in the United States ???????? broadened my perspective on my career and my life. Eventually, I’ve also become an entrepreneur, which is another venue to share food science with the world! ????????

I am committed to learning more every day, imparting my skills and knowledge to my students and the public, and convincing the world that we need to hone more of our kind ????

Above all, this motivation goes back to my roots. My family is my inspiration, instilling in me the drive to do more and be more. I hope to make a difference by starting with my loved ones. At the end of the day, we need to remind ourselves about the deepest purpose of what we do, right?

So, here are some photos of me:
1. In my first few years teaching at UP Mindanao
2. With my former mentor
3. As an exchange student at NUS
4. Outside my lab at LSU
5. With my beloved @theteacultureph ????
6. With my inspiration!

How about you, what keeps you going? ♥️