Often known as The Ice Cream Scientist™, Dr. Maya Warren ’07 is a food scientist, public speaker, TV personality, and advocate for civic engagement. Her convocation address, “For the Love of Ice Cream,” took place on Friday, October 17, from 10:50 to 11:50 a.m. in Skinner Chapel. An in-demand keynote speaker, Warren’s addresses often focus on blending science, storytelling, and global exploration to make the world sweeter — one scoop at a time.
After graduating from Carleton with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Warren earned her PhD in food science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she specialized in the microstructure, sensory properties, and behavioral aspects of frozen aerated desserts. Warren’s enthusiasm for ice cream ranges from the scientific aspects to the way it can bring people together in a way that other foods seldom can. As the founder of IC3 CREAM CONSULTING LLC, Warren collaborates internationally to develop innovative flavors, improve formulations, and optimize production — blending creativity with technical expertise.
To Warren, ice cream also means civic work. She is a co-founder of Ice Cream for Change, a platform of ice cream makers and lovers advocating for social change and civic action. Ice Cream for Change organizes to use the power of ice cream to raise awareness of and money for organizations dedicated to social change — from addressing climate change to dismantling racial injustice.
Warren’s interest in ice cream has also led to global adventures, including her participation in and eventual win on The Amazing Race Season 25. With her former lab mate and friend Dr. Amy DeJong, Warren traveled to 10 countries across four continents and visited more than 20 cities, ultimately becoming the third all-women team to win The Amazing Race. Check out a short clip from their season! More recently, Warren has traveled the globe teaching, developing, creating, and eating her favorite treat. Her online presence also circles the globe; Warren is the creator and host of Ice Cream Sundays with Dr. Maya on Instagram Live, where she brings people of all ages together and teaches them how to make no-churn ice cream right at home — inspired originally by quarantine in 2020.
Learn more about Carleton Convos at go.carleton.edu/convocations
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