María Amalia Beary, PhD

Food Scientist · Researcher · Educator

Bilingual food scientist with 15+ years spanning food safety management, quality systems, applied research, and science education across the United States and Latin America. Published researcher in food microbiology and safety with deep expertise in HACCP, dairy science, and dietary compliance for global food operations.

Food Safety Microbiology Dairy Science HACCP / PCQI Bilingual EN–ES
María Amalia Beary, PhD — Portrait

About

Dr. Beary earned her PhD in Food Science and Technology from Cornell University, where her research focused on food microbiology, novel sanitation technologies, and food safety education. She served as principal investigator and co-author on more than five IRB-approved projects and trained more than 2,000 food processors through extension programs focusing on U.S. food regulations (Food Safety Modernization Act – 21 U.S. Chapter 27), and HACCP Juice (21 CFR Part 120).

Her work on powdered infant formula safety towards Cronobacter sakazakii reduction, superheated steam sanitation, and food safety trainings, has been published in the Journal of Food Protection and Food Protection Trends, and presented at leading international conferences including the International Association for Food Protection.

Before her doctoral work, Dr. Beary held quality and food safety management roles at international companies such as Gate Gourmet and Compass Group, overseeing compliance and certifications of thousands of meals and processes, while adhering to the Codex General Principles of Food Hygiene CXC 1-1969, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, and U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. While in Argentina, she led Latin America's first ISO (FSSC) 22000 food service certification at Compass Group Argentina.

A licensed dietitian (nutritionist) with a BS in Nutrition (Hons) from the Universidad del Salvador Medical School (Argentina), she brings a distinctive combination of human nutrition training, food safety expertise, management skills, and cross-cultural fluency to her research and practice.

2026 – Present

Bilingual Independent Consultant, Food Safety & Nutrition

Ithaca, NY

Provides bilingual consulting services in food safety, nutrition, and regulatory compliance for food manufacturers, food service operations, and institutional clients across the Americas. Conducts data-driven review of menus, ingredient specifications, and preparation protocols to ensure alignment with FDA, GFSI, and international food safety standards. Leads HACCP and food safety auditing, supports allergen and dietary compliance programs, and delivers training in English and Spanish. Expertise spans quality systems implementation, corrective action planning, and cross-cultural guidance for organizations navigating complex regulatory environments.

2021 – 2025

Food Scientist & Researcher

Cornell University · Ithaca, NY

Principal investigator on four IRB-approved projects in food safety, microbiology, and novel sanitation technologies. Extension educator training 2,000+ food processors. Teaching assistant for undergraduate and graduate courses in food science. Published author and speaker at IAFP, NECAFS, and CPS conferences.

2024

Food Specifications Consultant

Gate Gourmet / GateGroup Airline Solutions · Ithaca, NY

Led data-driven review of menu compliance and special meal offerings for passengers with dietary restrictions. Provided cross-cultural dietary guidance to culinary and procurement teams for allergen, nutritional, and religious standards alignment.

2014 – 2016

Corporate Quality & Food Safety Manager

Gate Group Airline Solutions · Reston, VA

Global auditor for food processing facilities. Lead nutritionist for special dietary meal design ensuring compliance with U.S. and European allergen regulations. Reduced non-conformities through systematic quality control improvements.

2010 – 2013

Quality, Health, Safety & Environmental Manager

Compass Group Argentina · Buenos Aires

Oversaw QHSE divisions for all Argentine operations. Achieved Latin America's first FSSC 22000 food service certification. Lead auditor for ISO 9001, 22000, and 14001 systems. Key member of multidisciplinary pandemic planning and crisis management team.

2008 – 2012

Assistant Professor

John F. Kennedy University · Buenos Aires, Argentina

Head professor for three courses spanning economics, nutrition, global food markets, and child/teen nutrition. Teaching assistant in anatomy and diet therapy at USAL.

Selected Publications & Presentations

  1. Assessing Hot Water Reconstitution Instructions and Labeling of Powdered Infant Formula to Ensure Cronobacter spp. Reduction
    Beary, M.A., Daly, S.E., Baker, J., Snyder, A.B. (2025). Journal of Food Protection, 100571.
    View Publication →
  2. Virtual Food Safety Education Reveals Significant Opportunities for Future Distance Learning
    Beary, M.A., DiCaprio, E., Feng, B., Cheng, E., Dunn, L., Padilla-Zakour, O.I., Snyder, A.B. (2025). Food Protection Trends, 45(1), 8–18.
    View Publication →
  3. Superheated Steam Can Rapidly Inactivate Bacteria, But Manual Operation of Commercial Units Resulted in Limited Efficacy During Dry Surface Sanitization
    Baker, J., Rana, Y., Chen, L., Beary, M.A., Balasubramaniam, V.M., Snyder, A.B. (2025). Journal of Food Protection, 88(3).
    View Publication →
  4. Harnessing Sanitation Innovation Safely: A Pilot Study on Worker's Perceptions and Training when Adopting a Novel Sanitation Tool
    Beary, M.A., Baker, J., Balasubramaniam, V.M., Snyder, A.B. (2024). Food Protection Trends, 44(6), 409–419.
    View Publication →
  5. Willingness to Pay for New Sanitation Technologies in Food Industries: A Comprehensive Choice Analysis
    Beary, M.A., Li, J., Gomez, M., Snyder, A.B. Poster presentation, IAFP 2024, Long Beach, CA.
    View Abstract →

View full publication record on ORCID →

PhD, Food Science & Technology

Cornell University

Focus: Food & Agricultural Economics, Food Microbiology, Food Safety. May 2025.

MS, Food Quality & Agriculture Management

Universidad del Salvador / INTA

Argentine Normalization and Certification Institute. March 2012.

PGD, Food Security & Politics against Hunger

FAO Regional Office (UN) & Henry Dunant Foundation

Social, Cultural & Economic Rights. Santiago, Chile. May 2012.

BS, Nutrition

Medical School, Universidad del Salvador

Graduated with Honours. Buenos Aires, Argentina. 2004.

Awards & Recognition

2025

Consumer Food Safety Education Scholarship

Partnership for Food Safety Education

2024

Outstanding Teaching Assistant

Cornell University, Dept. of Food Science

2024

Food Hackathon Winner — Best Innovative Product

Cornell University

2024

IAFP Latino Conference Scientific Committee

Santos, Brazil

2023

Graduate Teaching Fellowship

Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation

2022

Food Safety Auditing Scholarship

SQF & Food Marketing Institute

Get in Touch

I welcome opportunities for collaboration in food safety research, consulting, and education — across the Americas and beyond.