Ryan Walker

Senior Food Scientist, NC Food Innovation Lab

Ryan Walker is a Senior Food Scientist with NCFIL. Prior to joining the team, he was director of product development for a Utah-based nutritional supplement co-manufacturer specializing in liquid product applications. Ryan also has industry experience from his time in Nestle’s Operations Management Trainee Program, where he started in infant formula manufacturing, and also gained experience in energy bar and gel packet manufacturing.

Ryan has an M.S. and a Ph.D. in human nutrition from Michigan State University. He also earned a doctoral specialization in international development with a focus on agricultural development and international food laws and regulations. Recently, Ryan completed Kansas State University’s Public Health Core Concepts graduate certificate. While at MSU, Ryan engaged in teaching food product development, food microbiology, and meat processing. Ryan’s research interests include understanding the effects of anthocyanins and carbohydrates on tumorigenesis in models of human colon cancer, and the influence of dietary fiber sources and dietary polyphenols on the microbiome and metabolome of humans and animals.

Throughout his career, Ryan has strived to gain a greater understanding of how to utilize and promote functional foods to enhance our overall quality of life. Ryan is also a Marine Corps Veteran and served in the Asia-Pacific region as a public affairs specialist. He looks forward to helping others bring novel, efficacious, and great tasting products to market.