Together, we harness the power of nature to innovate and create natural ingredients, enhancing the health benefits of existing food products.
Our Mission
Alchemica (formerly known as XTRACT) was founded by the University of Arizona McGuire Entrepreneurship program’s all star winning team.
Fueled by a passion for health and science, Lexi Charles and Jorge Ramos sought to improve the quality of modern consumer goods by producing the highest quality active ingredients.
Dr. Welchert is a seasoned research scientist in the Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering at the University of Arizona. He holds a Ph.D. in Biosystems Engineering (with a minor in Environmental Engineering), an M.S. in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, and a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology. With 12+ years of academic research and clinical laboratory experience, he has led university engineering initiatives such as the UA Health Sciences Food Insecurity Project.
Evan Gregg brings expertise in business management, development, finances, and marketing to the Alchemica team. With a strong entrepreneurial background, he excels in strategic planning, budgeting, and driving business growth. His focus on operational efficiency and resource management will be crucial in supporting the company's success as it scales.
Lexi holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, with a minor in Global Business, from the University of Arizona. She brings over seven years of sales experience, specializing in lead generation and cultivating meaningful customer relationships. Additionally, she has more than three years of professional experience in human resources, where she emphasizes the significance of organizational culture. Lexi is dedicated to driving positive change and making an impact.
Jorge Ramos holds a B.S. degree in Microbiology and an M.S. degree in Biosystems Engineering, both from The University of Arizona. With over 14 years of experience in scientific research across academia and the biotechnology industry, Mr. Ramos has developed a strong expertise in strain engineering, downstream processing, and manufacturing processes. His work has primarily focused on using microorganisms to develop innovative manufacturing platforms for the synthesis of valuable biomolecules, supporting industries such as food, agriculture, and biomedical. Beyond their scientific expertise, Mr. Ramos is also deeply passionate about entrepreneurship and the potential to bring innovative, ethical products to market. With a keen understanding of the growing demand for safer, more sustainable products, he is dedicated to creating solutions that align with evolving consumer values in our modern society.
