About Me
A Food Scientist’s Journey: Bridging Research and Real-World Applications
Hello and welcome—I’m Dr. Simarata Dhillon, an in-training Health and Wellness Coach with expertise in Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine. With a strong foundation in food science and a passion for empowering others, I help individuals build sustainable habits that support healing, energy, and long-term well-being.
My academic journey began in India with a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences from Punjabi University, Patiala and a Master’s in Biotechnology from Thapar University, Patiala. I then moved to Canada, where I earned a second Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Food Science from University of Guelph, ON. Over the past two decades, I’ve worked at the intersection of food, health, and innovation—spanning academic research, global food corporations, and forward-thinking startups.
Early in my career, I joined PepsiCo, developing breakfast cereals and granola bars for the Quaker Nutrition division in Peterborough, Ontario. I then transitioned to the Quaker Tropicana Gatorade Technical Center of Excellence in Chicago, where I led process optimization and clinical research focused on enhancing the metabolic profile of ready-to-eat cereals. Through advanced formulation strategies and clinical trials, our team improved the ratio of rapidly available glucose (RAG) to slowly available glucose (SAG), aligning the product more closely with metabolic health goals. Some of this work contributed to patents in processing and formulation innovation. Later, I joined Frito-Lay’s R&D headquarters in Dallas, focusing on long-term product innovation for iconic snack brands — Doritos and Lays.
After relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area, I joined a food-tech startup leveraging groundbreaking fermentation technology to enhance staple foods like bread and pasta with high-quality yeast protein, aiming to improve their nutritional value without compromising taste and texture. This work also led to patents focused on the application of microbial proteins in everyday foods.
My professional experience includes product development, ingredient technology applications, product function, productivity improvement, and project management within the food industry. While I continue to engage in product innovation through consultation work, I was drawn to a more personal, holistic approach to health. This path led me to pursue advanced education in functional nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and health coaching—disciplines grounded in the understanding that the body has an innate ability to heal when supported with the right tools and habits.
After spending two decades immersed in academic and corporate research and development, I began noticing a troubling pattern—many people still felt confused and unsupported when it came to their health, particularly around chronic illnesses, food sensitivities, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune conditions. I saw people relying on trends, influencers, or even well-meaning doctors who weren’t always equipped to offer in-depth, nutrition-forward guidance.
As a mother of two young children and a lifelong learner, I knew it was time to pivot from corporate life to something more meaningful. I wanted to apply my scientific training to help real people find real solutions—grounded in research, not fads.
Today, I focus on helping individuals make lasting, meaningful changes by addressing the six pillars of lifestyle medicine: nourishing food, regular movement, restful sleep, stress resilience, strong social connection, and the avoidance of risky substances. My coaching style is practical, compassionate, and science-informed.
I am currently pursuing advanced training through Harvard Medical School Executive Education and other programs to deepen my expertise in functional nutrition and lifestyle medicine, while completing my certification as a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC).
Through personalized coaching and education, I aim to bridge the gap between knowledge and action—helping clients feel more aligned, more energized, and more in control of their health journeys.
