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Faculty & Staff

Dr. O'Keefe teaches a student about the chemistry behind hot sauce

Meet Our Experts and Dedicated Team

Our team, comprised of esteemed faculty and dedicated staff, is at the forefront of research and education in food science and technology. We are committed to advancing the field through cutting-edge research, impactful outreach, and comprehensive education. Our areas of expertise range from food safety and microbiology to sensory analysis, fermentation science, and beyond. Faculty members are recognized leaders in their respective fields, contributing to knowledge and solutions that address critical issues in food production, safety, and quality.

Faculty
Staff
Emeritus Faculty

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Faculty

  • Bio Item
    Alexis Hamilton
    Alexis M. Hamilton , bio

    Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor: Food Processing Microbiology

  • Bio Item
    Amanda Stewart
    Amanda C. Stewart , bio

    Associate Professor: Food and Beverage Fermentation

  • Bio Item
    Ann Sandbrook
    Ann Sandbrook , bio

    Food Chemistry Lab Manager

  • Bio Item
    Brett Driver
    Brett Driver , bio

    Research Associate

  • Bio Item
    Brian Wiersema
    Brian Wiersema , bio

    Undergraduate Lab Engagement Manager

  • Bio Item
    Christie Dalton
    Christie Dalton , bio

    Assistant Director of Business Operations

  • Bio Item
    Dr. David Kuhn
    David Kuhn , bio

    Associate Professor and Extension Specialist: Seafood Quality, Seafood Safety, Aquaculture Research and Outreach programs

  • Bio Item
    Dennis Cladis
    Dennis Cladis , bio

    Assistant Professor: Phytochemistry and Functional Foods

  • Bio Item
    Haibo Huang
    Haibo Huang , bio

    Associate Professor: Food Processing, Fermentation Engineering, Process Simulation and Economic Analysis

  • Bio Item
    Herbert Bruce
    Herbert Bruce , bio

    Assistant Professor of Practice for Undergraduate Education

  • Bio Item
    Jacob Lahne
    Jacob Lahne , bio

    Graduate Program Director and Associate Professor: Sensory Evaluation

  • Bio Item
    Dr. Joseph D. Eifert
    Joseph Eifert , bio

    Interim Department Head and Professor: Food Safety, Poultry Processing, HACCP and Risk Assessment, Food Laws and Regulations, Food Safety Education

  • Bio Item
    Ken Hurley
    Ken Hurley , bio

    Collegiate Faculty

  • Bio Item
    Laura Strawn
    Laura K. Strawn , bio

    Professor and Extension Specialist: Food Microbiology, Produce Safety

  • Bio Item
    Lester Schonberger
    Lester Schonberger , bio

    Associate Extension Specialist: Food Safety Education, Food Donation

  • Bio Item
    Mario Ferruzzi
    Mario Ferruzzi , bio

    Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: Nutrition, Agriculture, Metabolism, Micronutrient and Phytochemical Bioavailability and their Impact on Human Health

  • Bio Item
    Melissa Wright
    Melissa Wright , bio

    Extension Specialist and Director, Food Producer Technical Assistance Network

  • Bio Item
    Monica Ponder
    Monica Ponder , bio

    Professor: Microbiology

  • Bio Item
    Rachel Alessandra Cheng
    Rachel Cheng , bio

    Assistant Professor: Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Foodborne Illness Virulence and Disease Severity, Host-Pathogen Interactions of Foodborne Pathogens

  • Bio Item
    Renata Carneiro
    Renata Carneiro , bio

    Research Assistant Professor: Food Chemistry, Sensory Science, Cyberbiosecurity

  • Bio Item
    Dr. Renee Raiden Boyer
    Renee Boyer , bio

    Professor and Assistant Dean of Graduate Research Programs

  • Bio Item
    Sean O'Keefe
    Sean O'Keefe , bio

    Professor: Food Chemistry, Lipid and Flavor Chemistry

  • Bio Item
    Dr. Renee Raiden Boyer
    Susan Sumner , bio

    Associate Dean for College Agriculture and Life Sciences  Academic Programs; Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Pedagogy, Teaching and Learning

  • Bio Item
    Xuanbo Liu
    Xuanbo Liu , bio

    Postdoctoral Research Associate: Food Processing and Engineering, Converting Food Waste into Value-Added Products

  • Bio Item
    Yifan Cheng
    Yifan Cheng , bio

    Assistant Professor: Food Packaging, Food Process Engineering, Food Safety, Antimicrobial Nanostructures for Food Contact Surfaces, Intelligent Packaging

  • Bio Item
    Yun Yin
    Yun Yin , bio

    Assistant Professor: Aroma and Flavor Compounds in Food Systems, Flavor Analysis and Sensory Evaluation

Staff

Emeritus Faculty