“My goal is always to plant the seed of science in all my students, to try to spark that interest in them, so that they can see how science applies to every aspect of their lives.”
ZAPOPAN, Jalisco; December 7, 2022.— Friné Velázquez Contreras, current director of the School of Hospitality at the Universidad Panamericana , Guadalajara Universidad Panamericana , earned her Ph.D. in Science from the Catholic University of Murcia, Spain.
Doctor of the Pan-American University
Dr. Friné tells us how she chose to pursue a part-time Ph.D. due to her role as a director and her responsibilities as a mother. Furthermore, it required a significant time commitment, as it was not a research-based Ph .D. but rather involved laboratory research. As a result, conducting enough experiments to achieve the desired outcome took even more time.
She earned her degree through a collection of articles published in first-quartile indexed journals, for which she was awarded an international PhD with honors. The title of her dissertation is “Active Packaging with β-Cyclodextrin for the Release of Natural Antimicrobial Agents in Fresh-Cut Foods.”
It explains the different aspects of this research, starting with the study of nano-encapsulation of natural active compounds for use as natural preservatives. It also covers incorporating these compounds into packaging with the aim of gradually releasing the active ingredients to preserve food. The goal is to reduce the use of artificial substances and extend the shelf life of perishable foods.
Research
Overall, his work focuses on finding natural alternatives to preservatives through nanotechnology. The goal is to identify active ingredients that can eliminate certain bacteria or microorganisms from food to extend its shelf life. In doing so , he aims to reduce the use of artificial additives—an issue he notes has been a lifelong concern in his research.
Dr. Velázquez is committed to helping others lead healthy lives by reducing their intake of sugars and preservatives, as well as by developing dietary supplements that will improve quality of life in the future.
He explained how he offers consulting services to people who want to focus on developing healthy foods that can help society eliminate junk food. He also discussed the Panamericana projects, in which they work closely on meal plans and specific dietary requirements for children and women with cancer.
“I want to show other women that we can succeed, and that science can be applied to every aspect of life.”
The Universidad Panamericana proud to welcome a new Ph.D. graduate, and recognizes and congratulates her for raising awareness and generating new knowledge to improve the quality of life in society. The university is also honored to have faculty members who seek to share their knowledge with future professionals.
