Grad Students

Aniket conducts research on extrusion process engineering and rheological characterization of structured plant-protein systems. His work focuses on designing experimental setups, generating rheological and thermal datasets, and translating material-property changes during extrusion into models for process design and scale-up.

Aniket is expected to graduate Fall 2026. His desired career path is within the industry. He is interested in an internship.

Aniket’s LinkedIn
aniket.fnu@wsu.edu

Vashikee’s research focuses on the fractionation and characterization of key food components (protein, starch and fiber) derived from newly developed popping bean varieties and the application of these components in the development of novel food products.

Vashikee is expected to graduate Fall 2026. Her desired career path is within the industry. She is interested in an internship.

Vashikee’s LinkedIn
n.senevirathne@wsu.edu

Steven conducts research on the texturization of plant proteins through low-moisture extrusion processing. He also applies those texturized proteins as cell culture scaffolds.

Steven is expected to graduate Summer 2026. His desired career path is within the industry.

Steven’s LinkedIn
steven.verver@wsu.edu

Alyssa conducts research on the valorization of acid whey through the development of composite biomatrices.

Alyssa is expected to graduate Spring 2027. Her desired career path is within the industry. She is interested in an internship.

Alyssa’s LinkedIn
alyssa.hansten@wsu.edu

Long conducts research on sustainable food processing and preservation technologies, with a particular focus on fruit drying, quality retention, and packaging systems for food applications. His work aims to enhance the quality, stability, and shelf life of agricultural products through advanced and sustainable processing approaches.

Long is expected to graduate Spring 2027. His desired career path is within academia. He is interested in an internship.

Long’s LinkedIn
long.lieu@wsu.edu

Zoe investigates post-harvest water safety and post-harvest interventions aimed at improving the microbiological safety of fresh produce. Her work integrates statistical methods and predictive modeling techniques to translate data into actionable insights for real-world food safety systems.

Zoe is expected to graduate in 2028. Her desired career path is within academia. She is interested in an internship.

Zoe’s LinkedIn
zoe.andersen@wsu.edu

Gloria is expected to graduate in 2030. Her desired career path is within Extension. She is interested in an internship.

gloria.rivasjuarez@wsu.edu

Swapnika’s research focuses on understanding and mitigating food safety risks in the tree fruit industry. Her work investigates the prevalence and control of foodborne pathogens such as Listeria and E. coli in fresh produce environments, while also evaluating intervention strategies to improve produce safety and postharvest sanitation practices

Swapnika is expected to graduate in 2028. Her desired career path is within academia. She is interested in an internship.

Swapnika’s LinkedIn
swapnika.medikonda@wsu.edu

Osa conducts research to better understand the older adult palate through flavor and texture. Her flavor research focuses on adding spicy compounds (chili, thyme, ginger, and black pepper) back into the older adult diet. Osa’s texture research looks into the use of yogurt to add more textural diversity into the older adult diet.

Osa is expected to graduate in Spring 2028. Her desired career path is within the industry. She is interested in an internship.

Osa’s LinkedIn
osasere.igbinoba@wsu.edu

Barakatullah’s work combines molecular biology and analytical approaches to better understand and detect cereulide toxin in food, while examining how gene activity and environmental factors influence toxin production to support safer food systems.

Barakatullah is expected to graduate in Fall 2027. His desired career path is within the industry. He is interested in an internship.

Barakatullah’s LinkedIn
b.mohammadi@wsu.edu

Otun Saha investigates the persistence and biofilm-mediated recurrence of Bacillus cereus in dairy processing environments using CIP-mimetic in vitro models. His research aims to develop next-generation, mechanism-driven sanitation and probiotic-based interventions to mitigate spore-forming pathogen risks and improve dairy food safety.

Otun is expected to graduate in Spring 2028. His desired career path is within academia. He is interested in an internship.

Otun’s LinkedIn
otun.saha@wsu.edu

Seng conducts research on the polyphasic characterization and control of dairy-associated Bacillus cereus. Her research investigates potential sources of B. cereus contamination in milk powder processing environments, characterizes presumptive B. cereus isolates using polyphasic approaches, and evaluates natural antimicrobials, including nisin and ε-poly-L-lysine, as biopreservation strategies to enhance the safety and quality of dairy products.

Seng is expected to graduate in Fall 2026. Her desired career path is within the industry. She is interested in an internship.

Seng’s LinkedIn
seng.jar@wsu.edu

Jayden’s graduate research focuses on applying his previous interdisciplinary knowledge to Cheddar cheese ripening. His project, correlating the microbiome of aged white Cheddar cheese to the sensory characteristics and proteomic profiles during aging, utilizes descriptive sensory analysis and multi-omic analysis, with the goal of preventing late aging flavor and texture defects, like excessive bitterness.

Jayden is expected to graduate in Spring 2027. His desired career path is within the industry. He is interested in an internship.

Jayden’s LinkedIn
jayden.scott@wsu.edu

Edmund’s research focuses on intervention strategies against foodborne pathogens on pome fruits, as well as identifying biocontrol strategies against decay organisms. His doctoral work reflects his commitment to advancing food safety in postharvest systems and controlling foodborne pathogens.

Edmund is expected to graduate Fall 2027. His desired career path is within academia.

Edmund’s LinkedIn
edmund.afari@wsu.edu

Alexander focuses on identifying, evaluating, and implementing effective antimicrobial agents specifically targeted at eliminating Listeria on fresh produce.

Alexander is expected to graduate 2027. His desired career path is within the industry. He is interested in an internship.

Alexander’s LinkedIn
ludwing.carrera@wsu.edu

Paul conducts research on food safety and postharvest microbiology, with a focus on understanding and controlling foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms in fresh produce and other food systems. His work aims to develop practical solutions that enhance food quality, safety, and sustainability across the food supply chain.

Paul is expected to graduate Spring 2029. His desired career path is within the industry. He is interested in an internship.

Paul’s LinkedIn
paul.dahunsi@wsu.edu

Mengqian’s research is on the intervention of food borne pathogens on fresh produce.

Mengqian is expected to graduate Fall 2027. Her desired career path is within the industry. She is interested in an internship.

Mengqian’s LinkedIn
mengqian.hang@wsu.edu

Maonan investigates fresh produce safety by applying predictive microbiology models to track the survival dynamics of foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, during post-harvest storage.

Maonan is expected to graduate 2030. His desired career path is within academia. He is interested in an internship.

maonan.zhou@wsu.edu