Educational Philosophy: Changing your mind about what chocolate means

Education:
B.S. in Biology, Loyola University Chicago
B.A. in English, Loyola University Chicago
Ph.D. in Biology, University of Notre Dame

Career:
Professor, Southwestern University (current)
Current Research: Aquatic ecology (with molecular bent)

Chocolate Experience:
​Professor, Interdisciplinary chocolate classes since 2007
Professional Chocolate Taster, Level 1 & 2 Certification, IICCT
Invited participant, The Chocolate Conservatory, FCCI and Harvard University
Judge, Good Food Awards, Chocolate 2017
Judge, International Chocolate Awards, Americas Competition
Judge, International Chocolate Awards, World Finals
Speaker/Tasting Workshop, Art.Science.Gallery.com

Invited Lectures (community, university and various organizations)
Published article about teaching evolution with chocolate

Presentations at Chocolate Festivals:
2019, Invited Speaker, Brighton Chocolate Festival, UK
    Example: Worth Every Pound - Why invest in Fine Chocolate
2018, Invited Speaker, New England Chocolate Festival
2018, 2017 & 2016 Invited Speaker, Dallas Chocolate Festival
2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, Invited Speaker, Northwest Chocolate Festival

Associated Chocolate Groups:
IICCT: International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting participant
FCIA: Fine Chocolate Industry Association member
FCCI: Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute advocate and support
ICA: International Chocolate Awards judge

Example Presentations (click here for more):
Chocolate as a model for liberal arts education
Science of chocolate
Genetics 101 for chocolate enthusiasts
Future of genetic engineering in the chocolate industry

Most recent tasting: 6 October 2019 to Culinary Staff from Whitehall at The Corinthia

Chocolate Media Features:
University students learn about chocolate (7/16/17, Williamson Co. Sun)
A college course coated in chocolate (12/30/07, Houston Chronicle)

Chocolate Factories/Museums Visited:
​Askinosie Chocolate
Blommer Chocolate
Cacao Prieto
Creo Chocolate
Dandelion Chocolate
Goodnow Farms Chocolate
Indi Chocolate
Jacques Torres Chocostory
Manoa Chocolate
​Madre Chocolate
​Middlebury Chocolate
Palette de Bine
SRSLY Chocolate
Taza Chocolate
​TCHO Chocolate
Theo Chocolate
​Videri Chocolate

"Go To" Fine Chocolate Sources:
Cacao, Portland, Oregon
Chocolopolis, Seattle, Washington
The Meadow, NYC, NY
The Chocolate House, Washington DC
Central Market, Austin, TX
Whole Foods, Austin, TX
Barandcacoa (on-line)
Cocoa Runners (on-line)
Formaggio Kitchen (Cambridge, MA)
Direct from individual makers (in person or on-line)

Just a Few of My Chocolate Friends (& references - @Twitter or FB links):
Adrienne Dawn Newman (@MadameCocoa)
Dr. Carla Martin (@carladmartin), FCCI
Dr. and Chef Maricel Presilla (@MaricelPresilla)
Chloe Doutre-Roussel (@chloechocolat)
Steve DeVries
Aubry Lindley (@cacaoportland)
Bob Williamson (@SRSLYchocolate)
​Art Pollard (@AmanoChocolate)
Shawn Askinosie (Shawn)
Ben Rasmussen (@PotomacChoco)
Erin Andrews (@indichocolate)