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Lina Maria Rayo Mendez

@linamariarayomendez

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PhD food scientist and AI domain evaluator delivering rigorous, evidence-based evaluations.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a role where I can apply rigorous food science and biotech expertise to evaluate research quality and AI-generated content, write structured evidence-based feedback, and drive experiments and technical reporting with high methodological standards.

I’m a PhD-trained food scientist and domain expert with 12+ years of applied R&D, clinical research, and scientific evaluation across chemical engineering, food science, biochemistry, and biotechnology. I author peer-reviewed work and book chapters, and I actively support scientific quality through peer review for Springer Nature journals.

I lead and evaluate evidence with a clinical and experimental mindset—most notably directing an IRB-approved randomized pilot clinical trial with 30+ human participants. I write and validate IRB-aligned protocols and ensure GCP-aligned data collection, safety monitoring, and full regulatory compliance.

I’m also an AI domain evaluator focused on accuracy, methodological rigor, and domain quality—delivering structured, evidence-based feedback on technical documents, research reports, and AI-generated content. I combine AI tools with analytical instrumentation (HPLC, GC-MS, UV-Vis, DSC) to turn findings into commercialization-ready technical reporting and decision support.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Postdoctoral Research Scholar

North Carolina State University

Jan 2022 - Jan 2025 (3 years)

Evaluated AI-generated technical content for a NOVUS-funded AI-assisted virtual laboratory guide for food and bioprocessing, using domain-specific quality rubrics to assess scientific accuracy and rigor. Led applied food R&D in coffee roasting and managed analytical SOP development using HPLC and GC-MS, including root cause analysis for processing failures.

AI Output Evaluation Domain Specific Quality Rubrics SOP Development Root Cause Analysis RTD Beverage Formulation Support Coffee Roasting R&D GC MS

Visiting Research Scholar

North Carolina State University

Mar 2019 - Jan 2021 (1 year 10 months)

Designed and executed an IRB-approved randomized pilot clinical trial (n=30+ healthy volunteers) examining effects of coffee roast level and carbohydrate source on postprandial blood glucose regulation. Authored IRB protocols and regulatory submissions and evaluated HPLC and spectrophotometric datasets for analytical accuracy and methodological integrity.

Clinical Trial Management GCP Aligned Data Collection Randomized Pilot Study Design Spectrophotometry Data Quality Assurance Statistical Analysis

Graduate Research Assistant & Lab Manager

University of São Paulo (FORC and LEA)

Jan 2011 - Jan 2018 (7 years)

Led PhD/MSc research on isolation and characterization of non-starch polysaccharides from banana, including multi-factor experimental design and kinetic/mathematical modeling. Managed a food engineering laboratory (50+ students), authored and enforced SOPs for multiple processing operations, evaluated student experimental reports using structured rubrics, and supervised trained undergraduate resea

Experimental Design Kinetic Modeling Mathematical Modeling Non Starch Polysaccharide Isolation Ultrasound Assisted Extraction Solid Liquid Extraction Lab Management SOP Development Rheology Plate Heat Exchanger (Pasteurization)Spray Drying

Quality Control & Process Analyst

Ingenio Maria Luisa S.A.

Jan 2009 - Jan 2010 (1 year)

Applied continuous improvement methodologies (TPM, quality circles, methods and times analysis) to reduce production costs and optimize sugarcane processing operations. Conducted root cause analyses on production deviations and implemented SOP-driven corrective actions while monitoring KPIs using PIMS and SAP.

Continuous Improvement TPM Quality Circle Methods And Times Analysis Root Cause Analysis KPIs SAP Sugarcane Processing

Internship - Packaging Ops

Manuelita S.A.

Jan 2008 - Oct 2008 (9 months)

Completed an internship at Manuelita S.A. supporting productivity improvement and cost reduction in packaging operations using operations research methods.

Operations Research Productivity Improvement

Engineer Operation Intern

Manuelita S.A.

Supported sugarcane manufacturing operations by improving efficiency and reducing packaging costs using operations research, workflow optimization, TPM, and quality circles.

Operations Research Workflow Optimization TPM Quality Circle Sugarcane Manufacturing Efficiency Packaging Optimization

Supply Chain Management Intern

Ingenio Maria Luisa S.A.

Optimized agricultural input application and supply chain efficiency using precision agriculture approaches based on soil analysis.

Supply Chain Optimization Precision Agriculture Agricultural Input Planning

External Auditor Intern

Sodicom Fendipetróleo and GEAL Research Group

Verified gas station accuracy and compliance with Colombian federal regulations using legal compliance checklists and identified fraud related to fuel purity and pricing.

Regulatory Compliance Fuel Purity Compliance Pricing Compliance Auditing

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of São Paulo

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Chemical Engineering (Food Science specialization)

PhD in Chemical Engineering with Food Science specialization focused on isolating non-starch polysaccharides from banana and evaluating their potential as functional ingredients. Work included solid–liquid extraction, ultrasound, kinetic and mathematical modeling, and food composition analysis.

University of São Paulo

Master of Science (MSc), Chemical Engineering

MSc in Chemical Engineering focused on producing instant green banana flour using pulsed-fluidized bed agglomeration. Research emphasized fluid dynamics, particle size analysis, thermal analysis (DSC), and process optimization.