Education

University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, MA May 2016

Masters of Science in Food Science concentration in Lipid Chemistry

Thesis Title: “Utilizing Nutritive Sweeteners to Prevent Lipid Oxidation in Low Moisture Baked Goods”

University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, MA Dec 2014

Bachelor of Science in Food Science concentration in Culinary Science

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY May 2012

Associates Degree in the Culinary Arts

Professional

Experience

The National Food Lab, Naples, FL Oct 2018- Present

Food Scientist and Project Manager

Directs and manages multiple projects at different stages of development with a small team of four Food Technologist and Lab Technicians

Works directly with clients throughout the product development process of ideation, commercial translation, reformulation, scale-up and co-packer search

Independently executes bench-top experiments and formulations on baked goods, nutritional supplements, beverages, snack foods, powdered products etc.

Conducts stability testing, shelf-life studies and sensory testing through analytical testing and statistical analysis

Designs and executes pilot plant production of powdered products, baked goods, and beverages while overseeing ten contracted employees

Writes reports, protocols, batch records, plant trial plans and SOPs that are thorough and ready for client with little or no editing required by supervisor

Plans and designs specific activities required by projects and facility upkeep and distributes to Food Technologist and Lab Technicians

Updates and maintains inventory of ingredients to provide ease in forward and backward traceability

Interfaces with ingredient suppliers ordering ingredients, requesting documentation and preparing for plant trial runs

Applies GMP/ GLP/FSMA/ Food Safety/HACCP in all areas of the facility, played a crucial role in updating the facility to the new 2018 FSMA regulations

Works with Genesis to create Nutrition Facts Panels

Performs environmental testing of the facility

Provides mentorship and guidance to all new Associate Food Scientist and Food Technologists

Self-Employed, New York, NY Aug 2016- Aug 2018

Food Science Consultant

Assisted entrepreneurial companies with the development of new products, improving existing products and driving cost saving alternatives

Developed strategies to evaluate current products and researched new technology to develop superior products

Oversaw product stability

Assisted with laboratory test methods

Assisted in developing bench-top prototypes

Gourmia, Brooklyn, NY Nov 2016- June 2018

Food Scientist and Research and Development Manager

Oversaw and directed Research and Development efforts of small smart kitchen appliances toward efficient completion keeping in mind Gourmia’s goals and objectives

Led product development activities utilizing processes including concept development, feasibility analysis, scope definition, cost estimating, prototype evaluation, product risk/hazard review, vendor evaluation, resource allocation, development of manufacturing options, transition and commercialization testing, and implementation.

Provided leadership and partnered with cross-functional teams to develop innovative products and platforms via process driven technologies using customer/marketing insights and existing/new technologies

Demonstrated kitchen appliance capabilities at sales meetings to wholesale buyers such as Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond, Costco, Sears and more

Performed testing activities to evaluate food performance on competitive products, prototypes, engineering build samples, and mass production samples

Traveled and communicated internationally with engineers, factories, and suppliers to discuss product development and sourcing

Identified new business and marketing opportunities to support company growth

Wrote technical manuals and developed healthy recipes compatible with the appliances

Demonstrated appliance capabilities at trade shows such as the World Tea Expo, The Consumer Electronic Show and The Home Housewares Show

Assistant Chef to Executive Chef Cat Cora at The Consumer Electronic Show and The Home Housewares Show

Worked alongside the Art Director, Lead Photographer, and Senior Food Stylist to style food for photo and video shoots

Assisted with the frontend development of the Gourmia App

Worked with PR to develop a social media presence

Effectively presented new products and provided technical support to customers

Specialized in the production of home coffee appliances and the analysis of coffee

University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, MA Jan 2015-May 2016

Graduate Research Assistant

Researched the toxicity of lipid oxidation in low moisture foods

Evaluated and studied the effectiveness of raw materials from around the world for desirable properties for use as natural antioxidants

Measured the primary and secondary lipid oxidation products in cookies made with various types of sugar utilizing a spectrophotometer and a gas chromatographer

Studied the effectiveness of different synthetic and natural antioxidants

Examined the structure and interaction of sugar, proteins, and lipids in cookies utilizing confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy

Analyzed the water activity of cookies

Conducted shelf-life and storage stability studies

Studied the prevention of non-enzymatic browning products in samples

Oversaw storage stabilities of natural antioxidants in salad dressings for Ken’s foods

Technology Transfer Office, Amherst, MA Sept 2013-May 2016 Technical Writer and Marketing Assistant

Studied companies’ current product portfolio and determined if fit for UMass technologies

Wrote Non-Confidential Technology Disclosures of inventions based on marketing brochures, and marketing specifications to be presented to companies

Contacted companies and maintained relationships to build partnerships based off current faculty research

Read and studied Confidential Technology Disclosures on mechanical, chemical, and computer systems engineering, microbiology, animal science, health science etc.

Maintained an Excel spreadsheet that included a list of companies that might be interested in the technology, and tracked company responses to marketing mailings

University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, MA Sept 2013-Dec 2014 Undergraduate Research Assistant

Studied shelf life stability of lipids in low moisture baked goods

Measured the primary and secondary lipid oxidation products in low moisture foods

Examined the structure and interaction of proteins and lipids in low moisture foods utilizing confocal microscopy

Analyzed the water activity of low moisture foods

Starbucks, Flushing, NY May 2012-Sep 2012 Barista

Personally connected with, laughed with and uplifted the lives of customers

Crafted individual beverages to order and maintained a clean and sanitary work environment

Properly utilizes brewing equipment to prepare coffee and tea with acute attention to high standards

Maintained product knowledge regarding all menu items, including seasonal changes

Kept calm and worked efficiently in the second busiest Starbucks in Queens, NY

Malu Homemade Ice Cream, Chocolate, and Confections, LIC, NY June 2011-Oct 2011 Production Assistant

Assisted with the innovation and production of new ice cream flavors

Tempered chocolate and created personal confections

Responsible for making ice cream and keeping par levels for customers

Managed sales with potential local restaurant clientele and interacted with customers

Measured and monitored critical control points and made appropriate process changes to keep process running in control

Set up, maintained, monitored, and adjusted equipment as necessary to maintain product, quality, and safety specifications

Bon Appétit Magazine, New York, NY April 2011-Aug 2011 Recipe Testing Extern

Developed and tested several recipes per week with varying cuisines and techniques, always keeping the Bon Appétit reader in mind

Assisted food stylist with photo shoots

Conducted multiple research projects for the blog and magazine

Lead daily tastings and provided feedback for testers to improve recipes

Oversaw a clean and organized test kitchen

Chartwells Food Service Company at Queens College, Flushing, NY March 2010-Aug 2010 Prep Cook/Line Cook

Worked the grill station prepping and serving up to 500 students a day

Assisted in on campus catering events

Publications

Vieira, SA, Zhang, G, Decker, EA. 2017. Biological Implications of Lipid Oxidation Products. Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society. Doi:10.1007/s11746-017-2958-2

Vieira, SA, Mcclements, DJ, Decker, EA. 2015. Challenges of Utilizing Healthy Fats in Foods. Advances in Nutrition. Doi:10.3945/An.114.006965.

Conferences

Vieira, SA, Decker, EA. “Impact of Nutritive Sweeteners on Lipid Oxidation in Low Moisture Baked Goods.” EuroFed Lipid Meeting. 2016. Porto, Portugal.

Vieira, SA, Decker, EA. “Impact of Reducing and Non-Reducing Sugars on Lipid Oxidation in Low Moisture Baked Goods.” AOCS National Meeting. 2016. Salt Lake City, UT.

Gumus, C, Barden, L, Vieira, SA, McClements, DJ, Villeneuve, P, and Decker, EA. (2014) “Lipid Oxidation in Low Moisture Foods.” Cake Symposium. 2014. Boston, MA.

Culinary

Skills

Basic Wine and Spirits Knowledge Good Manufacturing Practices

Knife Skills and Basic Knife Cuts Modern and Classical Cooking Principles Menu Planning Front and Back of the House Experience Catering HACCP, Food Safety and Food Handling Kitchen Management and Culinary Math Recipe Development

Additional Experience

Heilpflanzenschule Millefolia, Saulorn, Germany

Learned to identify various weeds and herbs not commonly used for everyday cooking and medicines

Planted and Harvested Seasonal Vegetables from the Community Farm

Assisted in Seminars on Natural Herbal Remedies

Herdade da Agolada de Cima, Coruche, Portugal

Prepared Lunch and Dinner for Guest

Planted and Harvested Seasonal Vegetables

Montpellier, France

Renovated apartments

Service and Outreach

Shy Wolf Sanctuary 2019

Not Bread Alone Soup Kitchen 2012-2014

Food Network Food & Wine Festival: Grand Tasting 2010-2012

NYC Coffee and Tea Festival 2011

NYC Chocolate Show 2010,2011

Kids for Kids Carnival 2010

Food Network Food & Wine Festival: Fun and Fit in NYC 2010

NYC Dumpling Festival 2010

Professional Membership

Research Chefs Association (RCA)

Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)

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