About
Hi, I'm Drishti.
I'm a food scientist and product developer. I lived in the US for eight years, first for a master's in food science at Texas A&M University and then for five years in industry R&D. In 2026 I moved home to Mumbai, and I now work with food and beverage brands around the world as an independent consultant.
Many founders need a food scientist for a project rather than a full-time hire. I bring the structure I worked with in industry to those projects: a clear brief, staged development and written specifications at the end. I also work with HoReCa brands on menu and recipe development.
Background
Experience and education
Rich Products Corporation
Product Development Scientist II
Buffalo, New York. Product development, including products that launched commercially.
Cana Technology
Associate Scientist
A venture-backed molecular beverage startup.
Texas A&M University
M.S., Food Science
Research in Dr. Bhimu Patil's lab at the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center on aroma volatiles and carotenoids in melons, using HS-SPME/GC-MS.
Le15 Patisserie
Quality Control Intern
Mumbai. Three months in early 2018.
Dr. D.Y. Patil University, Mumbai
B.Tech, Biotechnology
Institute of Food Technologists
Volunteer, Sustainability Division
Volunteering with IFT's Sustainability Division.
Experience
Categories I've worked on
- Molecular beveragesCSDs, flavored waters, seltzers, wine, cocktails, tea and coffee
- Emulsions and toppingsDairy and non-dairy based emulsions, and liquid toppings
- High-protein SKUsSuch as smoothies and puddings
Expertise
What I know best
- Dairy emulsion scienceWhy emulsions hold or fail, and how to fix them.
- High-protein beverage and dairy formulationStable products at your protein target.
- Stabilizer system designHydrocolloids and emulsifiers chosen for the product and process.
- Design of experimentsPlackett-Burman, definitive screening designs and response surface methodology in Minitab.
- Bench-to-plant scale-upFormulas and processes that survive the move to bigger batches.
- Clean-label developmentShorter ingredient lists, with the trade-offs tested.
Published research
Peer-reviewed paper
Majithia D, Metrani R, Dhowlaghar N, Crosby KM, Patil BS. Assessment and Classification of Volatile Profiles in Melon Breeding Lines Using Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction Coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Plants. 2021;10(10):2166.
We profiled the aroma volatiles of 28 melon breeding lines using headspace solid-phase microextraction with GC-MS, identified 113 volatile compounds, and used principal component analysis to classify the lines.
Have a product in mind?
Start with a free 30-minute discovery call. After the call, I send you a written proposal scoped to your project.