Jean-Xavier is Professor of Sensory Science in the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of California, Davis. He was trained as a Food Engineer in France and later received a Master's Degree in Food Science with an Enology Emphasis, and a Ph.D. in Microbiology, both from UC Davis. He was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition at Penn State before coming back to UC Davis 12 years ago. Jean-Xavier is a sensory scientist and a consumer researcher. His research focuses on the sensory properties of foods and beverages, how humans perceive them, and how they affect food choice and intake, and consumer behavior. He teaches undergraduate, graduate and extension food science, sensory science and consumer science courses, including Food, Folklore and Health in the UC Davis Summer Abroad program in Burgos, Spain (2001-06). In 1998, he served as Head of Consumer research with the Danone Group in France. Most recently, he served as Director of the University of California Education Abroad Program in Madrid, Spain (2005-2006).