Taste, Scent, and Perception Box

Melissa Conklin

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Attendance is Complimentary. Registration is Required.

Have you ever wondered why the smell of a particular food can instantly transport you to another place or time?

In this Spark Salon, flavor chemist Melissa Conklin explores the surprising science behind taste and scent, revealing how deeply our sensory experiences are intertwined with perception. Although we often think flavor comes from our taste buds alone, much of what we experience is created by the brain, which draws on smell, memory, emotion, expectation, and personal experience to shape what we taste.

Blending chemistry, neuroscience, and storytelling, Conklin explores why the same flavor can tell a different story to each of us. She reveals how taste and scent become intertwined with memory, emotion, culture, and identity, shaping not only what we experience but also the meaning we make of it.

Bio

Melissa Conklin is a flavor chemist with ten years of experience at TasteWorks Flavors, where she channels her curiosity into the art and science of flavor creation, crafting innovative flavors for everything from snacks to beverages. She holds a degree in Chemical Biology from Stevens Institute of Technology and a Master of Business and Science with a concentration in Personal Care Science from Rutgers University, combining scientific expertise with a deep passion for creativity and art.

For Melissa, flavor creation goes beyond formulation—it's about telling stories through our senses. She believes every flavor has the power to evoke memories, emotions, and experiences. By exploring the science of olfaction, the chemistry of aroma and taste molecules, and the role memory and culture play in flavor perception, she creates flavors that connect with people in meaningful ways.

Outside the lab, Melissa draws inspiration from nature, fashion, and sports. Whether she's playing soccer or basketball, exploring New York City's vibrant food and arts scene, or hiking through national parks, she finds creativity in the world around her. She is also the founder of Siryns, a women's wellness beverage brand that brings together her passion for flavor science and community building. For Melissa, flavor chemistry offers a unique lens through which to explore the endless possibilities of science, creativity, and human connection.