About Us

Paulina Andrea Freire Vásconez
Director of Smart Dairy AI

Contact: paulinaf@mail.fresnostate.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-freire/

Dr. Paulina Freire is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at Fresno State. She works with dairy products, using artificial intelligence, sensory analysis, and rapid detection methods. Her research applies machine learning with fluorescence spectroscopy, backscatter light, and multi-spectral imaging to provide real-time, non-destructive insights for dairy processing. She is also focused on sensors, high-pressure processing, and ultrafiltration to develop new methods for producing dairy products.
Dr. Freire's academic journey is marked by her dedication to teaching and research across multiple universities in Ecuador, Spain, and the United States. Her diverse educational background enriches her research and instructional capabilities, allowing her to mentor students with a broad perspective on global scientific trends.

 

Diego Freire

Contact: diegof@mail.fresnostate.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freire-diego/

A Research Associate at Fresno State contributing to the F3 Farms Food Future Project, Dr. Freire advances agricultural technology through innovative R&D. With a doctorate in Computer Science from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, he applies machine learning, remote sensing, and precision agriculture to real-world challenges. His work includes developing ML models to identify grape varieties from satellite imagery, creating spectral sensor tools to assess dairy quality, and supporting automated agricultural solutions such as F3Scout—an affordable, high-precision platform offering centimeter-level accuracy for farmers.

 

 

 

 

Carmen Licon

Contact: carmenl@calpoly.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-licon-3a3b532a/

Dr. Carmen Licon has been the Director of the Cal Poly Dairy Products Technology Center since August 2023 and the Director of the Pacific Coast Coalition - Dairy Business Innovation Initiative since 2021. With extensive experience in dairy product development and sensory evaluation across Mexico, Spain, France, and the U.S., she joined Fresno State's Department of Food Science and Nutrition in October 2017. An alumna of the University of Castilla La Mancha, Spain, she holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in Agricultural Science and Engineering, as well as a B.Sc. in Food Engineering from Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico. Dr. Licon has co-authored 16 peer-reviewed publications, produced 5 book chapters, given over 30 presentations, and advised more than 20 students. She holds a patent related to producing pressed ewes milk cheese with saffron and has served as a judge in various food competitions, including the Concours General Agricole in Paris.