Fragaria et al. Consulting was created to provide science-based advice and training to the fresh produce industry.
The office is based in Lisbon, Portugal, but we offer a flexible international approach, either working on-site, remotely or using a mixture of both. We can customize the work for your business, providing personal advice, training, and continuing service.
Cecilia has more than 25 years of research and teaching experience at universities in the United States, Canada, and Europe. She received a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the Catholic University in Portugal. She was first a scientist at the University Laval in Canada and the University of Florida in the USA. She later became an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida in the USA. In 2022, she returned to her hometown in Lisbon and created Fragaria et al. Consulting.
While at the university, Cecilia’s research team conducted fundamental and applied research focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables quality and shelf life. Several governmental and private organizations funded her research. But, because of the increased interest in obtaining more information on the impact of environmental conditions throughout the supply chain on the quality of food and to help reduce waste and economic losses, one of the significant sources of funding has been the food industry.
Results from Cecilia’s research help shed light on the biological mechanisms that lead to food deterioration and the impact of environmental stress on the quality and chemical components of fresh foods and vegetables. Her research also helped improve the handling, distribution, and marketing systems to reduce food waste and provide consumers with better fruit and vegetable quality. Overall, her experience has proved helpful in appreciating both academic and industry approaches.