Vending

Mars names R&D VP and chief science officer

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September 10, 2020

Dr. Maria Velissariou

Mars Inc., has named Dr. Maria Velissariou as the new global corporate research and development vice president and chief science officer.

Dr. Velissariou joins Mars on Sept. 13, and will lead Mars' enterprise-wide approach to quality and food safety, scientific and regulatory affairs. She will report into Jean-Christophe Flatin, president of innovation, science, technology and Mars Edge, and will partner with the existing Mars chief science officer and vice president of corporate R&D, David Crean, as a transition to his retirement in April 2021.

Dr. Velissariou was previously the chief science and technology officer at the Institute of Food Technologists, where she oversaw science, technology and policy strategies, advocated for the science of food, and partnered with stakeholders across industry, academia, government and non-profits to advance the food system.

Dr. Velissariou currently serves on the board of directors of the Chicago Council for Science and Technology and is a member of the Women Business Collaborative leaders' circle.

Before IFT, Dr. Velissariou served in global corporate roles spanning industries and functions. As vice president for nutrition R&D at PepsiCo, she was responsible for global grains, dairy and cohort platforms.

Earlier in her career, she held various R&D positions at Kraft Foods in coffee, refreshment beverages, cheese and dairy and ingredient research.

Dr. Velissariou earned a Ph.D. and master's degree in biochemical engineering from the University of Birmingham and a B.Eng. in chemical engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.