Maria Cotter, Ph.D.
About Maria Cotter, Ph.D.
Maria Cotter, Ph.D., is a Human Factors Scientist at Exponent in New York, specializing in consumer decision-making and sensory science. With over nine years of experience in sensory evaluation and study design, she has held various research and development roles at prominent universities and organizations.
Work at Exponent
Maria Cotter has been employed at Exponent as a Human Factors Scientist since 2022. Based in New York, New York, she has contributed to the field of human factors for two years. Her role involves applying her knowledge of consumer decision-making and sensory science to enhance product development and evaluation.
Education and Expertise
Maria Cotter holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Food Science and Technology from The Ohio State University, which she completed from 2017 to 2021. She also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science with minors in Beverage Science & Technology and Environmental & Sustainability Studies from Michigan State University, where she studied from 2013 to 2017. Her educational background supports her expertise in sensory and consumer evaluation, particularly in study design and data analysis.
Background
Maria Cotter has over nine years of experience in sensory science. She began her career as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at Michigan State University from 2014 to 2017. Following this, she worked at The Ohio State University in various roles, including Graduate Research Assistant and Descriptive Panel Member, from 2017 to 2021. Additionally, she has experience in product development through her role with the National Dairy Council Performance Nutrition in 2019.
Professional Experience
Throughout her career, Maria Cotter has held multiple positions that have enhanced her skills in sensory science and consumer evaluation. She was a member of the MSU Disney Food Product Development Team from 2016 to 2017 and worked as a Merchandising Intern at Meijer in 2017. She also served as a Sensory Laboratory Student Employee at the MSU Product Center from 2015 to 2017, gaining practical experience in sensory evaluation.
Research and Development Contributions
Maria Cotter has focused her research on consumer decision-making and sensory science. Her work emphasizes study design and data analysis, allowing her to provide actionable recommendations in product development. This focus has been a significant aspect of her roles in both academic and industry settings.