Margaret Daskis, CFS (Certified Food Scientist) is our direct connection with the food industry throughout B.C.

Over the past 40 years, since graduating from UBC Food Sciences, Margaret has assisted with the evolution of the dynamic food processing industry in B.C.

She has held senior technical positions in both Canadian and multinational food companies until 1998. As the main contact person to qualify people looking for contract packing options at these facilities during this period, it became apparent that entrepreneurs required assistance to understand food production logistics and food safety requirements to gain the attention of manufacturers.

Margaret created Fresh Ideas & Solutions Inc. to provide information to potential contract manufacturers, and support them in qualifying their products for commercialization.

In her current role with the Dan On FBIC, Margaret will assist the food industry in investigating novel technologies and bridging to experts in UBC food science, with the goal of commercialization and improving food security of B.C.

Contact Margaret at: margaret.daskis@ubc.ca.

Dr. Farahnaz Fathordoobady oversees educational programs tailored for those working in the food and beverage industry, including online micro-certificate programs. Dr. Fathordoobady is a current Instructor in the Food, Nutrition and Health program at UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems.

In her role as Educational Program Manager, she develops curriculum in collaboration with industry, liaises with partners such as Sauder School of Business and BCIT, advises students, and administers all educational programs delivered by the FBIC. Previously, Dr. Fathordoobady was a Research Assistant, supervising UBC’s Food Process Engineering Pilot Plant. She brings a wealth of research experience in developing advanced processing techniques (thermal/non-thermal) to control pathogenic microorganism for food-safe production, in developing nano-emulsion platforms for transmucosal delivery, and in analysing of plant-based food additives.

Dr. Fathordoobady obtained her PhD in Food Science and Technology from Universiti Putra in Malaysia, and is a member of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) of Nanomedicines Innovation Network (NMIN).

Contact Dr. Fathordoobady at: farah.fathordoobady@ubc.ca.

Miki Goda oversees the facility and manufacturing operations at the Dan On Food and Beverage Innovation Centre and Food, Nutrition, and Health Pilot Plant, where she manages a cross-functional team across production, quality, and technical disciplines. She facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration and provides technical expertise in end-to-end commercial manufacturing and scaling, lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, equipment and process design and optimization, and brewing and fermentation science.

Miki holds a BSc in Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics from Boston University and an MFS in Food Science from UBC. She is a certified Power Engineer, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Agile Leader, and formally trained, multi-award-winning brewer and distiller.

She brings comprehensive experience across food, beverage, and nutraceutical manufacturing with a focus on operations and production management, capital project execution, facility and equipment design and commissioning, process improvement and optimization, maintenance planning, quality assurance, and R&D. Miki bridges technical expertise with operational strategy to drive innovation and performance within fast-paced, highly regulated environments.

Contact Miki at: miki.goda@ubc.ca.

Quality Assurance Specialist

Lana Le oversees the Quality Assurance Program at the Dan On FBIC, where she brings deep expertise and leadership in quality assurance, food safety, and regulatory compliance. With extensive experience across the food supply chain, including manufacturing, co-packing, storage, and distribution, she has worked in a wide range of product categories, including snacks, confectionery, and fresh produce.

Lana has led the development and implementation of comprehensive food safety and quality management systems, drawing on her in-depth knowledge of HACCP, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and navigating complex regulatory frameworks. She has successfully managed internal and external inspections and audits, ensuring readiness, alignment, and compliance with regulatory and third-party certification standards.

Lana holds a PCQI designation through the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) and has completed SQF Practitioner training, underscoring her commitment to the highest standards of food safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance. She also has a strong foundational background in Chemistry and Food Safety Management, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Da Nang University of Economics in Vietnam. As a certified Lean Agile Green Belt, she applies continuous improvement principles to enhance quality and operational efficiency across all aspects of production.

Contact Lana at: lana.le@ubc.ca.

Lead Production Technician

Elia Castellanos oversees the production operations at the Dan On FBIC, leading production planning to support projects from lab-scale prototypes to commercial-scale manufacturing and R&D. As a trained food engineer, she brings over five years of applied experience in fermentation science, beverage and liquid product development, and process optimization across both academic and industry settings.

She holds a BSc in Food and Biotechnology Engineering from the Universidad de Guadalajara, and MSc in Food Science from the University of British Columbia. Her expertise spans experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication, with a focus on translating research into practical applications and bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and industrial execution.

Elia’s professional background includes technical roles in the tequila and wine industries, with experience in quality control, operations, and academic research, where she has led multidisciplinary teams, streamlined production workflows, and driven continuous improvement initiatives. She brings a unique blend of scientific expertise, operational leadership, and creative problem-solving to innovation-focused environments.

Contact Elia at: elia.castellanos@ubc.ca.