Dr. Carmon Licon

Board Member

Dr. Carmen Licon is a professional with a deep expertise in dairy products. In August 2023, she assumed the role of Director at Cal Poly’s Dairy Products Technology Center, where she continues to drive innovation for dairy manufacturers. Prior to this, her academic career began in October 2017 as an Assistant Professor for Food Processing and Engineering at Fresno State’s Department of Food Science and Nutrition. She holds a M.S. and Ph.D. in Agricultural Science and Engineering from the **University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, and a B.Sc. in Food Engineering  from Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico. She is also a Certified Cheese Professional by the American Cheese Society. 

Dr. Licon’s international research experiences, particularly in Poligny and Lyon, France, enhanced her focus on cheese aromas and emotions. Her work on developing a Manchego-type cheese with saffron, which has won multiple medals at the World Cheese Awards, is a testament to her innovative contributions to the cheese industry. Her commitment to artisanal and culturally diverse dairy production is also evident in her role as Director of the Pacific Coast Coalition, a position she has held since Fall 2021.

Dr. Licon is also deeply committed to education, consistently striving to share knowledge and inspire the next generation of cheese makers and dairy professionals. 

In addition to her academic and research accomplishments, Carmen has been featured in Culture: The Word on Cheese magazine in 2024, a recognition of her thought leadership and support to the dairy industry. She is the 2024 recipient for the Daphne Zepos Teaching Award for her commitment to develop a vocational program for cheesemakers. 

Through her work, Dr. Licon actively champions innovation and empowers the artisanal cheese community. Her passion and leadership serve as a driving force, inspiring the next generation of cheese makers and dairy professionals.