I’m a Zamorana, class of 1994; Zamorano has been a part of my life for almost 20 years. I credit the University with giving me focus and drive, and the confidence to know I could succeed.
After graduating, I became the first female production manager at a large meat export company in Honduras. I was told they would not have hired a woman if I were not a Zamorano graduate. That job was a great challenge but also a very positive experience, and when I left to teach at Zamorano, the company had been so impressed with me they sought out another woman to take my place. Thus I learned first-hand how a Zamorano education provides unique opportunities for women.
I like so much to witness the satisfaction students experience when they learn something new. This is part of the reason I enjoy teaching apiculture and honey product development. This is a science and a business that has not been significantly developed, and this means students can be pioneers and innovators. A lot of my students are undertaking fourth-year thesis projects in the field. Some are working on new nutritional uses for pollen, while others are studying bee habitats. And another recently developed an organic honey-apple marmalade that we think has commercial value.
Six months ago, I took over running the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) program to train small and medium sized businesses in Honduras. We have sixty companies including pickle makers, spice and seed marketers, cheese producers, and a host of other types of products coming from these companies. We have trained the business owners in sanitary manufacturing practices, budgeting, planning and documentation, how to enter new markets, and how to develop new products related to their existing businesses, and we’ve given each individual support and guidance. More than 90 percent of the participants gave us the highest satisfaction rating possible when they were surveyed recently. And we have early data that shows that more than 25 of the companies have seen increased revenue since the program began. That is especially gratifying given current international economic difficulties. Honduras is especially vulnerable and through this program we are able to do a lot to help.
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
M.S. in Food Technology, University of Chile
Started At Zamorano: January 2008
Associate Professor of Food Agroindustry (AGI)
Subjects include: Apiculture, Honey Products Production, and Food Processing
(Annual Report 2008)
