The Mars R&D Award is our signature, global program recognizing outstanding contributions that have delivered business impact. With more than 500 nominations, we’re introducing you to our final 12 recipients across four award categories.

While earning a degree in Dairy Technology in India, Bala Ganesan felt pulled to pursue a career in science. So, he switched things up and enrolled in a Ph.D. program at Utah State University, soon earning a doctorate in microbiology. 

Today, Dr. Ganesan is the Principal Scientist Metagenomics and Bioinformatics at the Mars Global Food Safety Center, working to change the way we predict and prevent food safety incidents. In fact – it’s award-winning work. We sat down with Dr. Ganesan to talk about his passion for R&D, the future of food safety and more.

Question: Tell us about your role. 

Answer: I’ve been in this role for four years now and have spent most of my time championing the cause of genomics and food safety alongside other senior colleagues. 

Q: Tell us about your award-winning project. 

A: The project is a bioinformatics platform that takes DNA sequencing data from various bacteria, like salmonella and listeria for example, and helps us identify them more accurately. The goal is to predict and prevent food safety incidents from ever happening. 

About seven years ago, we partnered with IBM to create the Consortium for Sequencing the Food Supply Chain. Our research generated a large volume of data – the equivalent of 1,000 Mars laptops! Beginning in 2016, I served as technical lead for the Consortium. 

We now host the platform in house and I work to champion the design and technical validation of the platform. I also continue to play a technical role by operationalizing the platform capabilities with our stakeholders. Logging the food safety-based microbial incidences this year is what’s delivered the most significant business impact and ultimately, what led to this incredible award. 

Q: What do you love most about your work? 

A: My team. Working through the pandemic was challenging, but they’re incredibly resilient. It’s a group of Associates who have real passion for their jobs and it translates into action. Compared to other research facilities within Mars, the Global Food Safety Center is relatively new – but achieving so much. This award is a testament to each of my colleagues; their work not only keeps Mars up and running, but me as well. 

Q: What ignited your passion for R&D? 

A: I love that there’s always work to be done, challenges to be met. For someone like me with  specialized skills, there’s always opportunity. Not only to work on the science, but to convert that knowledge into applications and contribute to the greater good. 

Q: Your award was in the “Create Tomorrow” category. How are you working to build a better world for tomorrow? 

A: I consider myself among the countless consumers of Mars products. Doesn’t everybody have a soft spot for M&M’s®? As such, I feel like I have a higher responsibility to be a true enabler of food safety. I’ve done this research in the academic world and was later able to take an incredible opportunity to leverage the science of genomics behind food safety here at Mars. 

Every time we put something on the shelves, I want consumers to know we’re taking a preventive approach to food safety – not a post-incident, reactive approach. We still have a long road ahead of us, but every single day, we’re one step further toward that goal. It’s challenging and there’s frustration. But Mars is taking a brave and bold step forward; we’re a leader in the food safety space and that’s both inspiring and motivating. 

Q: Why is this award so meaningful? 

A: It’s humbling to know that leadership recognizes the crucial role genomics is playing in the future of food safety. 

It’s an honor that I share not only with my colleagues, but my family as well. At times I felt as if my attention was so focused on my work, they’d only get a teatime conversation with me in the morning. But their support was invaluable and I’m forever grateful for their understanding.