Hi Mariana! You graduated from the master’s degree in Food Technology and Nutrition in 2012. What have you been up to since your graduation?
Hi! I’ve been working in different Food Industries, but always in the R&D department. I love to innovate and create new things. I am working for Firmenich (Flavor and Fragrance house) as a Food Technologist in charge of the bakery and cereals applications, and innovation for México and Colombia. I work really close with different kinds of food industries, always innovating.
What does your daily routine look like?
I usually balance my working life with my personal life, so almost everyday I try to have breakfast with my 4 year old toddler Isabella, then I head to the office where most of the time I work inside the lab. If possible, I love to have dinner with my husband and my daughter. During weekends we spend time together with our friends and family.
How has your time as a student at Lund University influenced your life?
First of all, Lund University is among the 100 best universities around the world! And YES, it has influenced A LOT! In a good way!!! Arriving first to Sweden, without really knowing the Swedish culture, the cold weather, and a new University, really has changed my life, making me more open to new things, knowing a different way of studying (more self-study in Sweden), and learning things. It’s also an international university so having friends all around the world, knowing a bit more about their cultures, enriched my life.
You are an active alumna in Mexico and serve as one of the board members in the Alumni Mexico Sweden Network. Tell us more about the network and why Lund University alumni in Mexico should join!
Yes!!! I’m the VP for this whole year! It’s been a great way to know more Mexicans that had the opportunity to study in Sweden, and exchange different experiences remembering our time there. Besides that, we want to bring a small piece of Sweden to Mexico, doing different cultural activities involving new people, such as “fika”, Lucia, typical Swedish parties, and also convincing them to go and study in Sweden. Lund University alumni should join! We’re going to have lots of fun! Everyone is very welcome to join!
What do you enjoy the most by being involved in the network for alumni?
Meeting new people and trying to bring a piece of Sweden to Mexico. Giving the Mexicans who has never been there to know a bit more about the Swedish culture.
Being an alumna from Food Technology, what is the weirdest food you have ever eaten?
Actually, I’m quite a picky eater, but here in Mexico we have great “different” food, such as “huitlacoche” which is a corn mushroom, which grows in corn, it’s really good! We do also eat “escamoles” which are the edible larvae or egg ants, they are really exquisite and quite expensive, and last but not least crickets which are crunchy and salty.