PROFESSOR OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
FOUNDING DIRECTOR, UC DAVIS COFFEE CENTER

William Ristenpart is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of California Davis. He received his Ph.D. from Princeton University and did his post-doctoral work at Harvard University. At UC Davis he developed the course "Design of Coffee: An Introduction to Chemical Engineering," which now teaches more than 2000 students per year. He is also the founding director of the U.C. Davis Coffee Center, the mission of which is to advance the state of research and education focused on the world’s most popular complex fluid.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION IN POSTHARVEST ENGINEERING

Dr. Irwin R. Donis-González joined the Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, and the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) on October 15, 2015 as a Professor in Cooperative Extension, specialized in postharvest engineering. His research focuses on postharvest engineering, handling, storage, drying, transportation, refrigeration, and processing of agricultural commodities with a goal of reducing energy consumption, losses and waste while ensuring food quality and safety. In relationship to coffee, Dr. Donis-González is currently leading projects related to storability, kinetics of roasting, and assessment of quality attributes including color. He is also the Director of Latin American Relations at the UC Davis Coffee Center.

COFFEE RESEARCHER

Laudia Anokye-Bempah is a Senior Technologist in Coffee Research & Development at The J.M. Smucker Co. She earned both her M.S. and Ph.D. in Biological Systems Engineering from the University of California, Davis. Her research focused on green coffee preservation and roasting kinetics, with the goal of developing a “Coffee Roasting Control Chart'' to optimize the roasting process and achieve desired product attributes.

SENIOR ADVISOR OF SCIENCE COMMUNICATION, SCA

Peter Giuliano is the Senior Advisor of Science Communication and Engagement Strategy for the SCA. With 35 years of experience in the coffee trade, he focuses on supporting, promoting, and communicating scientific and economic research that benefits the entire coffee industry.

PORTFOLIO MANAGER FOR ROAST + RETAIL, SCA

Alvin Kim is the Portfolio Manager at the Specialty Coffee Association where his role centers on advocating for and empowering the Roast & Retail community. He designs and leads programs that facilitate the specialty coffee business community's innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth across the coffee value chain. Drawing on an MBA from the University of Washington Foster School of Business and years of experience leading global marketing for premium coffee brands, Alvin combines strategic insight with a deep appreciation for the human side of coffee. 

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, SCA

Laurel Carmichael (they/them) is the Content Development Manager and Editor of 25 at the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). At the SCA, their work involves writing, editing, and helping shape publications, and helping turn important coffee knowledge into hands-on learning activities. They're a trained historian and have spent over a decade as a barista, roaster, and green coffee buyer in their home country of New Zealand, and in Berlin, Germany.