Few questions from a recent grad

So I recently finished my M.S. in food science (my background is in organic chemistry and I went from undergrad right into MS with the dream of going into product development but obviously easier said than done and the world of food science is far more vast than just that so the food world is mostly new to me) and I've been working in a QA position for about a year now. This position has also exposed me to a good amount of R&D work as well and so far I've enjoyed those portions more than the QA side. Obviously being a year in, I don't think I can make a fill decision on which one is rather do forever but I had a couple questions for you all if you wouldn't mind.

1. So I've been thinking about finding a job that is full R&D and I'm aware that those are rare and far between but I'm trying to think how can I spin my QA experience into being a positive for the job. In my current company R&D only higher people with previous R&D experience which I don't technically have on paper. I was once told that some people like R&D scientist with a QA background but I'm trying to think how I can truly solidify that.

2. a question on resources. On the QA side I have plenty of resources and websites I can check daily for news, inspirations, etc. I have to assume there's such resources for R&D as well (obviously separated by specialization). Do you guys have any favorites or great resources to share? I have all the classic booms through my studies so I'm looking for more up to date and trend like things so to keep up even if I never end up using it.

I'd love to hear any thoughts or advice that you may have. I know I'm barely a step into my career but part of me is scared of getting pigeon holed into one side and never being able to experience the other parts of food science.