Ratna Mukherjea, PhD
About Ratna Mukherjea, PhD
Ratna Mukherjea, PhD, serves as the Senior Director of Food Innovation on the Technology Leadership Team at Benson Hill. With over 20 years of experience in both academic and food industry settings, she specializes in clinical and translational research, particularly in nutrition and food science.
Current Role at Benson Hill
Ratna Mukherjea serves as the Senior Director of Food Innovation within the Technology Leadership Team at Benson Hill. She has held this position since 2021, contributing to the company's focus on innovative food solutions. In her role, she engages with customers to ensure that research and development efforts align with market needs, driving the company's mission to enhance food innovation.
Previous Experience in Food Innovation
Prior to her current role, Mukherjea worked at International Flavors & Fragrances as a Global R&D Leader in Specialized Nutrition for a brief period in 2021. She also held multiple positions at DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences, including Technical Fellow and Global Technology & Innovation Leader for Human Milk Oligosaccharides. Her extensive experience in the food industry spans over 20 years, focusing on clinical and translational research.
Educational Background
Mukherjea has a robust educational background in nutrition and food science. She earned her PhD in Nutrition from the University of Maryland. Additionally, she completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Human Nutrition at the University of California, Davis. Her undergraduate studies culminated in a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Child Development from Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University.
Advocacy for Diversity and Inclusion
Mukherjea actively advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the scientific community. She emphasizes the importance of these values in fostering a more inclusive environment in research and innovation. Her commitment to DEI reflects her broader goals of enhancing collaboration and representation in the field.
Board Membership and Strategic Contributions
In addition to her professional roles, Mukherjea serves as a board member, where she contributes to strategic decision-making and governance. Her involvement at the board level allows her to influence key organizational strategies and initiatives, furthering her impact within the industry.