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USD 500 /hr

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Hire Dr. Carolina V.

United States

USD 500 /hr

Scientist with 20 years of R&D experience in chemistry, pharmacology, food technology, CPG, and cannabis industry.

Profile Summary

Carolina Vazquez Mitchell is the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer for KitChem, a leading consulting firm in food and beverage product development and also a founding member of the Legalization of Cannabis & Hemp Edibles division of the Institute of Food Technologists. She deeply understands goods chemistry (including food, supplements, and cosmetics), formulation, molecular composition and molecular nutritive value, human metabolism, cGMP, HACCP, and FDA/USDA regulations. Carolina has developed food products for some of the largest food companies in the world, numerous cosmetics formulations, and has created 500 of products currently in the market. Carolina is a chemist, food scientist, and pharmacologist with 20 years of R&D experience in chemistry, pharmacology, food technology, and cannabis industry. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Carolina came to the United States in 2010 to work as a researcher in Chemistry at the University of Southern California. During her PhD studies at USC, Carolina’s publications on CRISPR were reviewed by a Nobel Prize winning chemist and her additional research focused on spin-labeling RNA. A gifted academic well-versed in developing regulatory standards of the food, cosmetics, and cannabis industries, Carolina’s areas of specialty include organic chemistry and biochemistry research, laboratory testing and operations, good manufacturing practices, good laboratory practices, quality assurance, and R&D for cannabis products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foods, and beverages. She has 20 years of experience with organic synthesis and extractions and has extracted DNA, RNA, proteins, terpenes, and other pharmacologically active molecules. After leaving her PhD program, Carolina started KitChem with her husband Benjamin Mitchell, JD. She has a deep understanding of goods chemistry (including food, supplements, and cosmetics), formulation, molecular composition and molecular nutritive value, human metabolism, cGMP, HACCP, and FDA/USDA regulations. Carolina has developed food products for some of the largest food companies in the world, numerous cosmetics formulations, and has developed 100s of products currently in the market. Carolina has brought ideas from concept to commercialization for a company with 7000+ restaurants worldwide and developed products for one of the top five cereal companies in the USA and the most prominent sports drinks brand in the world. Carolina was also the Founder and Chief Scientist of Ciencia Labs, a Los Angeles-based cannabis product manufacturer and house of brands with science-backed products developed for sleep, pain, anxiety, and fun. In February 2024, Ciencia Labs was acquired by The Cannabist Company (formerly Columbia Care), one of the 10 largest cannabis companies in the world. As Chief Scientist, Carolina oversaw the development, improvement, manufacturing and overall compliance of products and ensures that any company continues to lead the fledgling market in product innovation while upholding the highest standards of compliance and food safety. She was also responsible for guiding all lab testing, food safety, quality control, packaging, and adherence to the law around cannabis products within the state of California while continuing to spearhead development around new products. Before starting her own firm, she was the Head of Research for Power Brands, America’s leading beverage consultancy firm. During her tenure, she led projects for a broad spectrum of companies, nurtured a concept to commercialization for a company with 7000+ restaurants worldwide, and developed products for one of the top five cereal companies in the USA and the most prominent sports drinks brand in the world. She has been featured in magazines such as Dope, MG, Forbes, Golden State, MiTu, Rolling Stone, Yahoo, Benzinga and as a subject matter expert on Cheddar TV. https://dopemagazine.com/carolina-vasquez-mitchell-kushy-punch/ https://mgretailer.com/business/health-wellness/the-nose-knows-sniffing-out-the-scents-of-wellness/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilyprice/2019/05/27/these-cannabis-gummies-are-sugar-free/ https://goldenstate.is/scientist-carolina-vazquez-mitchell-formulates-the-cannabis-industrys-first-purpose-built-product-for-sleep/ https://wearemitu.com/fierce/meet-carolina-vazquez-mitchell-mexican-cannabis-scientist/ https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/melatonin-vaporizer-thc-cbd-cloudy-dream-inhalehealth-937115/ https://finance.yahoo.com/news/meet-dreamt-cannabis-brand-specifically-xxxxxxxxx.html Benzinga https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/xxxxxxxxxxxxxx/meet-dreamt-the-cannabis-brand-specifically-designed-to-help-you-sleep.

Subject Matter Expertise

• ★ Cannabis/CBD
• ★ Food Science
• ★ Formulation
• ☆ Materials Science & Engineering
• ☆ Nanotechnology
• ☆ Biochemistry
• ☆ Antioxidants
• ☆ Biotechnology & Bioengineering
• ☆ Nanobiotechnology
• ☆ Food Engineering
• ☆ Food Additives
• ☆ Nutrition Science
• ☆ Food Microbiology
• ☆ Food Preservation
• ☆ Food Safety
• ☆ Flavor & Fragrance Chemistry
• ☆ Food Chemistry
• ☆ Plant-Based Protein
• ☆ Food & Beverage Development
• ☆ Vegan Products
• ☆ Non-GMO Products
• ☆ Product Compliance
• ☆ Cosmetic Formulation
• ☆ Pharmaceutical Formulation
• ☆ Cosmetic & Skincare Formulation
• ☆ Hair Care Product Formulation
• ☆ Personal Care Product Formulation
• ☆ Herbal Products
• ☆ Nutraceuticals
• ☆ Supplements
• ☆ Consumer Products

Services

• Writing
• Research
• Consulting
• Data & AI
• Product Development

Writing Non-Medical Regulatory Writing, Technical Writing

Research Market Research, Feasibility Study, Fact Checking, Gray Literature Search, Scientific and Technical Research, Systematic Literature Review, Secondary Data Collection

Consulting Scientific and Technical Consulting, Regulatory Consulting, Manufacturing Consulting

Data & AI Statistical Analysis

Product Development Formulation, Recipe Development, Deformulation, Stability/Shelf Life Testing, Product Evaluation, Material Sourcing, Product Validation, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance & Control (QA/QC), Product Compliance , Concept Development, Product Launch Support, Packaging Design, Prototyping, Reverse Engineering

Work Experience

Founder / CEO

KitChem

July 2017 - Present

Founder and Chief Scientific Officer

Ciencia Labs

November 2019 - January 2024

Scientific Researcher

University of Southern California

October 2010 - July 2017

Quality Assurance Supervisor

Solfran Laboratories

November 2009 - October 2010

Education

PhD (Chemistry)

University of Southern California

January 2013 - July 2017

Certifications

• Certification details not provided.

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLE

(2017). CRISPR-Cas9 mediated DNA unwinding detected using site-directed spin labeling. ACS Chemical Biology.

(2016). Nucleic-acid dependent conformational changes in CRISPR-Cas9 revealed by site-directed spin labeling. Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics.

BOOK CHAPTER

(2015). Nucleic acid structure and dynamics: perspectives from site-directed spin labeling. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance.