Dr. Emilia Rico is the founder and CEO of BCN Research Laboratories, Inc. in Rockford, TN. Emilia is well known for her expertise in the area of spoilage investigation and prevention of (1) beverage and high acid foods (preserved food and beverages, heat-processed beverages that are hot-filled or cold-filled, (2) dairy products, and (3) low and intermediate moisture food spoilage. Since 2003, Emilia has been an active member of the International Commission in Food Mycology (ICFM) of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS) (www.foodmycology.org). As a member of the ICFM, she participates in IUMS-ICFM symposia, workshops and outreach programs in developing countries such as Indonesia. She also participates in symposia at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), International Mycological Congress (IMC), IUMS and the ICFM. She has dedicated most of her carrier to the promotion of food mycology. She has co-authored two chapters in the 5th edition of the Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods (CMMEF, 2015, APHA) and has published numerous papers on food and beverage fungal spoilage and methodology. She is one of the International Union of Microbiological Sciences (IUMS) liaisons with the ISO/TC 34/SC 9/WG 16 yeast and mold group that is currently reviewing the ISO yeast and mold methodology.
