Karin Rotem-Wildeman, chief research and development officer at Keurig Dr Pepper and a 1999 doctoral graduate of UMass Amherst, will deliver the 2026 Shirley and Ting-Wei Tang Endowment Lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 4 p.m. in Old Chapel. The event, hosted by the Daniel J. Riccio Jr. College of Engineering, is free and open to the public.

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In her lecture, “From Doctorate of Engineering to Dr Pepper,” Rotem-Wildeman will trace her path from doctoral research in chemical engineering to leading research and development in the global food and beverage industry. She will discuss how an engineering mindset—questioning assumptions, understanding complex systems and learning from failure—helps turn scientific discoveries into products used by millions of consumers. She will also explore how food innovation depends on collaboration across food science, packaging, digital technology and business strategy, and offer advice to aspiring engineers and scientists navigating their own careers.

The lecture comes as UMass Amherst launches its $120 million Future of Food Initiative, which aims to advance healthier and more sustainable food systems through interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The initiative will bring together expertise in food science, agriculture, engineering, public health and other disciplines, and includes plans for a new 36,000-square-foot Food Innovation Hub.

At Keurig Dr Pepper, Rotem-Wildeman oversees research and development, food safety, and quality across the company’s beverage portfolio. Her previous positions include leadership roles at The LIVEKINDLY Collective, Godiva Chocolatier, PepsiCo, Physic Ventures and Nestlé R&D. Throughout her career, she has built and led international teams specializing in product development, nutrition, packaging, commercialization, and other areas of food and beverage innovation.

Rotem-Wildeman earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Lehigh University before completing her doctorate in chemical engineering at UMass Amherst. She remains actively involved with the university through service on the Riccio College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council and the Department of Chemical Engineering’s advisory board.

Founded in 1999, the Shirley and Ting-Wei Tang Endowment Lecture Series brings leaders in engineering education and industry to campus to speak on topics including technological innovation, entrepreneurship, global engineering issues, and engineering leadership.

More information about the event can be found on the College of Engineering website.