The Feed Science Podcast Show Dr. Keith Warriner: Bridging Research and Industry | Ep. 121
Oct 22, 2025
Join Dr. Keith Warriner, a Professor of Food Microbiology at the University of Guelph, as he shares his fascinating journey from chef to food scientist. He dives into the challenges of turning academic research into commercial success, highlighting a project on hydroxy radicals that faced initial industry skepticism. Dr. Warriner emphasizes the need for collaboration between academia and industry, discusses the importance of adaptability in research, and provides insightful career advice for those in food science.
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Seek Industry Problems First
- Start research by identifying real industry problems to increase relevance and funding success.
- Align projects to industrial needs for a clearer path toward practical impact and commercialization.
Funding Favors Short-Term Problem Solving
- Funders now favor problem-driven, short-term projects over blue-sky ideas, which narrows radical innovation.
- Keith warns this shift reduces chance discoveries that later solve unforeseen problems.
Hydroxy Radical Tech Found Market After Outbreak
- Keith Warriner described developing a hydroxy radical process for decontaminating fresh produce that initially failed to reach industry uptake.
- A listeria outbreak years later created demand and a transitional champion commercialized the technology into CleanWorks.
