Distiller and ingredients supplier MGP Ingredients Inc. announced Thursday that Tanya Jeradechachai has been named as its vice president of Ingredient Solutions R&D.

Most recently serving as Manager of Research-Principal Scientist at Bay State Milling, the company said she brings experience in grain science and managing product development to the role. During her tenure at Bay State Milling, she also managed in-house research projects on the biochemistry, structure, and functionality of fiber, starch and protein in food systems.

She also worked as a Crop Quality Specialist at the Northern Crops Institute from 2008 to 2014. She assisted the USDA-ARS in Fargo, ND on research on plant proteomic and insect lipid biochemistry for three years.

“We are excited to bring someone with Tanya’s background in both academic and commercial research functions,” Michael Buttshaw, vice president of Ingredient Solutions Sales, Marketing and R&D, said in a company release. “With the addition of Tanya, our R&D team is ready to help expand MGP’s position in the important plant-based market and to fully support our growing customer network across the globe.”

The company said it was drawn to Jeradechachai’s familiarity with the flour milling, baking, and pasta industries and the pulses and pulse-based ingredients markets.

“We are very pleased to have Tanya bring this wealth of knowledge and experience and perform a leadership role to help increase our new product offerings, further strengthen our ability to serve our industry partners and valued customers, and execute our long-term strategy,” said Ody Maningat, PhD., the chief science officer of MGP and vice president of Ingredient Solutions R&D, in a statement.

She received a Master of Cereal Science from North Dakota University in Fargo in 2012.