Principal Scientist in Oral Care Translational Science at Kenvue

Apr 22, 2025

Francisco (Pancho) Fields, PhD is a Principal Scientist in Oral Care Translational Science at Kenvue. He performs both upstream innovation and strategic science functions for Listerine. This includes scouting and evaluating new technologies for the oral care upstream pipeline, building collaborative relationships with academic institutions and start-ups, and providing expert scientific support for business-critical projects. 

What is the highest degree you have earned and what can you tell us about your academic path?

When I was an undergraduate student, I had an MRSA infection. Having a close personal experience with antimicrobial resistance piqued my interest in discovering and developing novel antimicrobials. As a result, I have a PhD in Molecular Microbiology from the University of Notre Dame in the discovery and optimization of membrane-targeting antimicrobial peptides. My PhD advisor, Dr. Shaun Lee, was very supportive and gave me the freedom to explore and develop partnerships for our lab. During my PhD, I developed international research partnerships with Public Health England and Kings College London. I was also funded by the GEM Fellowship and the NSF-GRFP. In 2020, I made my first step into industry as a MITACS postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto and Dose Biosystems. As a postdoc, I worked on the preclinical development of the novel oral care probiotic Streptococcus salivarius DB-B5. This included the full genome assembly of the organism, characterization of its putative bacteriocins, and in vitro and clinical safety evaluations to support GRASE submissions. I was promoted to senior scientist after eight months as a postdoc and led a team of scientists to develop new microbiome focused therapeutics.

Where do you work now and what is your company about?

I am currently employed at Kenvue, a consumer healthcare company whose mission is to realize the extraordinary power of everyday care. Our portfolio includes a variety of iconic brands including Listerine, Band-Aid, Aveeno, Neutrogena, and Tylenol, to name a few. Kenvue is also committed to our Health Lives Mission which aims to nurture healthy people, planet, and practice with all products and initiatives.

How did you first learn about the company?

I first learned about the company through SMDP. As an SMDP 2020 fellow, I used the opportunity to network and find companies and opportunities that matched my skills and research interests.

What do you like most about the company?

I identify strongly with Kenvue’s core values: we put people first, we care fiercely, we earn trust with science, and we solve with courage. These values create a work environment the supports impactful scientifically-backed consumer focused innovations. There is never a dull day!

What skills make you successful in your role and why did you choose this role?

This role makes excellent use of both my scientific expertise and my people skills. Building up research programs and partnerships requires both a clear scientific vision and the ability to identify mutually beneficial goals for both my internal and external partners. This unique opportunity has helped to develop my skills as both a leader and a scientist.

How do you define success?

For me success starts with defining my goals. I’m sure to craft goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). For me, success is when I meet those SMART goals.

What's the most fulfilling aspect of your job?

It’s hard to choose just one! I truly enjoy the scientific topics that we need to address in oral care. It is a rapidly advancing field which makes my job very exciting. I also volunteer as a Program Manager for our Equity in STEM (EIS) Kenvue Impact Network. Being involved in EIS allows me to continue to engage with programs like SMDP and contribute to enhancing access to educational and professional opportunities for underrepresented communities in STEM.

What advice do you have for students and job seekers?

Network, network, network! It’s so important to find your supporters. Building up these relationships is crucial when exploring your career options. The people you meet through these efforts can become lifelong mentors and friends. Also take time to think about and truly define your career goals. If you can concisely state what kind of opportunities you are looking for, you’ll be more likely to find them.

What book did you read last?

The last book I read was a Crossfit coaching guide to prepare for my coaching certificate test. I recently started as a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer at Crossfit Toybox in Raritan, NJ. I only coach a few classes a week, but it has been a blast helping my community meet their fitness goals. Be sure to continually develop yourself and your interests both inside and outside of work! A well-rounded life is a happy one.