Open to opportunities

dhruvi ashar

@dhruviashar

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MSc Food Technology candidate specializing in ingredient reformulation, food safety, and R&D.

India

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What I'm looking for

I am seeking an R&D or product development role in a collaborative, quality-driven company where I can apply formulation, food-safety, and PLM expertise to improve products and scale innovations.

I am an MSc Food Technology candidate with hands-on R&D experience across Unilever, Marico, Nestlé, and Nova Nova, focused on ingredient reformulation, lab-scale trials, and sensory evaluation. I combine a strong academic foundation with practical experience in specification compliance and product optimisation.

My work has included reformulating dry soup recipes, running shelf-life and moisture analyses, conducting colour and descriptive sensory analyses, and supporting PLM-based ingredient documentation using SAP PLM. I am skilled at interpreting technical data and producing clear technical reports and one-page summaries to support R&D decisions.

I am detail-oriented, self-motivated, and collaborative, with core strengths in food safety, HACCP, allergens, thermal processing, and cross-functional project work, seeking opportunities to drive product quality and continuous improvement.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Formulation Intern

Unilever Food Solutions

Mar 2025 - Aug 2025 (5 months)

Reformulated seven dry soup recipes to replace restricted ingredients while maintaining quality and consumer preference; led lab-scale trials, colour analysis, and sensory evaluations to support R&D decisions.

Reformulation Lab Scale Trials Colour Analysis Technical Reporting Cross Functional Collaboration

R&D Intern

Nova Nova (Brio Hospitality)

Apr 2023 - Aug 2023 (4 months)

Designed new formulations, conducted shelf-life and moisture analysis, and performed sensory evaluations while ensuring FSSAI compliance for labelling and packaging updates.

Research Trainee

Marico

Jul 2022 - Dec 2022 (5 months)

Executed lab-scale process optimisation for grain-based convenience foods, performed microscopy-based grain structure analysis and seasoning stability testing to inform scale-up feasibility.

Process Optimization Seasoning Stability Testing Scale Up Assessment R&D Troubleshooting

R&D Intern

Nestlé

Nov 2021 - Dec 2021 (1 month)

Supported R&D troubleshooting by analysing product issues and proposing technical solutions during a short-term internship focused on product quality improvement.

R&D Troubleshooting Product Analysis Technical Problem Solving Sensory Input Laboratory Testing Technical Reporting

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Wageningen University & Research

Master of Science, Food Technology

2023 -

MSc Food Technology candidate conducting a thesis on consumer perception and co-creation of authentic vegetarian meals, with training in food safety and product development.