Dr. Krishna Bala, President and Founder of Dr. Vanilla Inc. is a renowned Flavor Chemist with over three decades of experience in the flavor and food science industry. He began his career at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he earned his doctorate and developed a passion for the science behind natural flavors.

Recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on vanilla sourcing, formulation, and processing, Dr. Bala has dedicated his career to mastering the art of vanilla. His extensive fieldwork has taken him to the foremost vanilla-producing regions of the world, including Madagascar, Mexico, Indonesia, India, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea. These experiences have provided him with unique, firsthand insights into vanilla cultivation and curing practices.

In Uganda and India, Dr. Bala led groundbreaking research on vanilla curing, focusing on the development of high-vanillin, premium-quality vanilla pods. Early in his career, he introduced innovative vanilla curing and extraction technologies that have since become industry standards.

Dr. Bala has shared his expertise by publishing scientific papers and articles in renowned industry publications such as Perfumer & Flavorist Magazine and has been a sought-after keynote speaker at international vanilla conferences for over 30 years.

Under his leadership, Dr. Vanilla Inc. continues to champion excellence in vanilla production, sustainability, and innovation, while maintaining a deep commitment to supporting the communities involved in vanilla cultivation.