Ingah Tom

Detail-oriented Consumer Science graduate with strong academic and practical experience in New Product Development (NPD), food formulation, product testing, and quality assurance. Demonstrated ability to support end-to-end product development processes including research, formulation trials, analytical testing, sensory evaluation, and food safety compliance. HACCP-trained with working knowledge of GMP, food microbiology, and food chemistry.

Actively seeking a Research and Development Technology role to contribute to innovation, continuous improvement, and commercialization of food products in 2026.

University of the Free State

Research & Development Student (Food Science)

February 2017 - July 2024

· Supported multiple new product development and food research projects during undergraduate studies.

· Conducted food formulation trials and assisted with product optimization for meat, dairy, baked goods, and beverage applications.

· Performed chemical and physicochemical analyses to evaluate nutritional composition, product quality, and processing outcomes.

· Executed food microbiology testing on meat and dairy products using aseptic techniques, culturing, isolation, and staining methods.

· Applied sensory evaluation techniques to assess flavour, texture, appearance, and overall product acceptability.

· Assisted with bench-scale testing, food preparation, and process evaluations aligned with NPD objectives.

· Collected, analyzed, and interpreted experimental data; contributed to technical reports, literature reviews, and research documentation.

· Applied food safety principles, including HACCP and GMP, throughout laboratory and practical environments.

• Bachelor of Science in Consumer Science

• Master of Science in Consumer Science