Monica A. Ponder
1230 Washington Street SW
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Education
- Postdoctoral, Enteric Diseases Surveillance and Epidemiology, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, NCVZED, DFBMD, 2007
- Ph.D, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, 2005
- B.A., Microbiology, Miami University, 1999
Teaching Responsibilities
FST 4634: Epidemiology of Food and Waterborne Disease
FST 4644: Fermentation Microbiology
FST 5634: Epidemiology of Food and Waterborne Disease
Professional Appointments
2014 - 2020: Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
2007 - 2014: Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
2005 - 2007: ASM/NCID Emerging Infectious Disease Postdoctoral Fellow, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Infectious Disease, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Disease, Foodborne and Diarrheal Disease Branch, National Salmonella Reference Laboratory
1999 - 2005: Graduate Assistant, Michigan State University
Microbial ecology of agricultural commodities; Pathogen interactions with Gut Microbiome and influence of food processing on pathogen survival and virulence.
Current Research
Effects of prebiotics and probiotics on the gut microbiota and the health of their hosts
Investigating the role of the gut microbiota in childhood diseases (stunting, diarrheal diseases)
Validated inactivation of Salmonella on spices using ethylene oxide and steam treatment
Identifying role of food preservation stress on survival and virulence of food-borne pathogens
Fate and transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in agro-ecosystems
Developing strategies to reduce or control antibiotic resistant bacteria and food borne pathogens on foods