PRESENTERS
MILDA EMBUSCADO, McCORMICK & CO., INC.
SPDS CINNAMON WORKING GROUP
Dr. Milda Embuscado, currently a Senior Principal Scientist at the Materials and Process Technology, Applied
Research at McCormick & Co., Inc., Hunt Valley, Maryland, obtained her Ph. D. from Purdue University, West
Lafayette, IN and worked as a Research Scientist at the Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research, a world
renowned carbohydrate research institute.
Her areas of research include ingredient characterization and
functionality, new product innovation, process improvement and flavor/bioactive microencapsulation including
optimization of formulations and processes through the employment of design of experiment and response
surface methodology to optimize ingredient functionality in food systems such as food emulsion and
flavor/bioactive encapsulated products. Her research also includes bioactives and antioxidants from spices and
herbs and the effects of processing and cooking on these bioactive components; and the effects of spice/herb
extracts on altering digestion of starches.
She has given invited presentations to the Institute of Food Technologist
(IFT)and has edited and authored books on Functionalizing carbohydrates for food applications: Texturizing and
bioactive/flavor delivery systems and on Edible films and coatings for food applications, a best seller book in its
category. She also authored several refereed scientific articles on carbohydrates and food bioactives. She was the
chairman of the IFT Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods Division (2012-13) and the CarbohydrateDivision (2006-
07). She was elected a full member to the following honor societies: Sigma Xi (The Scientific Research Society), Phi
Tau Sigma (The Honor Society of Food Science and Technology) and Gamma Sigma Delta (The Honor Society of
Agriculture). She is a professional member of the IFT and a Certified Food Scientist (April 1, 2013) awarded by the
International Food Science Certification Commission and a member of the inaugural class.
JANA HILDRETH, SYNUTRA PURE
SPDS CHONDRTOITIN WORKING GROUP CHAIR
Jana Hildreth is the Director of New Technology and Scientific Affairs at Synutra Pure. She is recognized by both the
government and industry as a dietary supplement subject matter expert. Jana serves on several scientific
committees and expert panels for organizations such as AOAC, USP and ASQ. She has over 20 years of experience
in dietary supplement sales, marketing, product formulation, and testing. Prior to Synutra Pure, Jana helped found
Blaze Science Industries, LLC where she worked closely with NIH and NIST to develop and validate official analytical
methods and reference standards, along with training courses. She assisted the Dr. Oz Show with a segment that
aired on April 26, 2010, and co-authored two featured articles on the Dr. Oz website in 2010 and 2011 with Mark
Blumenthal from the American Botanical Council. Jana has given presentations worldwide on topics focusing on
the analytical challenges the dietary supplement industry faces in the testing and verification of ingredients.
COREY HILMAS, NATURAL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION
SPDS KRATOM WORKING GROUP CHAIR
Dr. Hilmas oversees the development and implementation of all educational, scientific and compliance
programs (cGMP, Natural Seal, TruLabel, and others) at the Natural Products Association (NPA) and
provides guidance on clinical issues, public health, ingredients and regulatory compliance. He will also be
working on producing new educationally driven regulatory compliance efforts similar to those he
