Abiy Dadi

PhD, University of Minnesota
Advisor, Dr. Kumar Mallikarjunan

Abiy Dadi is a PhD student working on a hyperspectral imaging system for simultaneous in-line monitoring of functional properties and temperature history of milk powders in Dr. Mallikarjunan’s research laboratory. His project is funded in part by Midwest Dairy. Abiy received a Master of Science in food engineering and a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. His anticipated graduation date is spring 2025.

Khushi Dubey

MS, South Dakota State University
Advisor, Dr. Prafulla Salunke

Khushi Dubey is a master’s student working on cow water for potable and processing use in Dr. Salunke’s research laboratory. Her project is funded by Midwest Dairy. Khushi received a Bachelor of Technology in dairy technology from S.M.C. College of Dairy Science in India. Her anticipated graduation date is summer 2025. Khushi is a dairy and food enthusiast whose major interests are new product innovation, quality, and safety.

Elie Fayad

PhD, University of Minnesota
Advisor, Dr. Steve Bowden

Elie Fayad is a PhD student working on the rapid bacteriophage-based detection in milk and environmental samples in Dr. Steve Bowden’s research laboratory. His project is funded in part by Midwest Dairy. Elie received a Master of Science in bioengineering from Tufts University, and both a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Balamand, Lebanon. His anticipated graduation date is spring 2027.

Nghi Huynh

MS, University of Minnesota
Advisor, Dr. Jayendra Amamcharla

Nghi Huynh is an MS student working on recovering whey proteins from whey protein phospholipid concentrate during microfiltration of whey protein concentrate in Dr. Amamcharla’s research laboratory. Her project is funded by Midwest Dairy. Nghi received a Bachelor of Science in food science from the University of Minnesota. She is interested in a product development career where she can use her Food Science understanding to support her creativity and create products that bring joy to consumers. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, she is passionate about baking on weekends when she has free time. She often bakes breads, cookies, macarons, and more, sharing my baked goods with colleagues in the lab and department. She finds it especially rewarding to see how her Food Science background enhances her baking, making the process both enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. Nghi’s anticipated graduation date is fall 2025.

Rakesh Kaushik

MS, South Dakota State University
Advisor, Dr. Sanjeev Anand

Rakesh Kaushik is a master’s student working on enhancing the bio-preservative/bio-protective behavior of NSLAB using soluble fibers as a prebiotic during cheddar cheese ripening to prevent Spoilage in Dr. Anand’s research laboratory. His project is funded in part by Midwest Dairy. Rakesh received a Bachelor of Technology and a Diploma in dairy technology from the National Dairy Research Institute in India. His anticipated graduation date is summer 2025. Rakesh thrives on activities like badminton, volleyball, and doing volunteer work in different IFT divisions.

Anandu Chandra Khanashyam

PhD, University of Minnesota
Advisor, Dr. Jayendra Amamcharla

Anandu Khanashyam is a PhD student working on assessing the physico-chemical and functional properties of milk powders in Dr. Amamcharla’s research laboratory. His project is funded by Midwest Dairy. Anandu received a Master of Science in food science from Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand, and a Bachelor of Technology in food process engineering from Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (NIFTEM-T) in Tamilnadu, India. His anticipated graduation date is spring 2027.

Ezgi Kocer

MS, South Dakota State University
Advisor, Dr. Maneesha Mohan

Ezgi Kocer is an MS student working on the production of low cost galactooligosaccharides (GOS) from whey permeate streams in Dr. Mohan’s research laboratory. Her project is funded by Midwest Dairy. Ezgi received a Master of Science in food engineering from Istanbul Technical University in Turkey, and a Bachelor of Science in Food Engineering from Erciyes University in Turkey. She believes her current project with GOS will be beneficial to the dairy industry because it offers an alternative and more economical way to produce prebiotics, which are an important ingredient for our health. Her anticipated graduation date is May 2026.

Ting Mao

MS, South Dakota State University
Advisor, Dr. Maneesha Mohan

Ting Mao is an MS student working on milk protein interactions with fruit polyphenols in Dr. Mohan’s research laboratory. Her project is funded by Midwest Dairy. Ting received a Bachelor of Science from Food Science and Technology in Xihua University, China, and a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Saint Louis University. Her anticipated graduation date is summer 2025.

Zeel Modi

PhD, South Dakota State University
Advisor, Dr. Prafulla Salunke

Zeel Modi is a PhD student working on the effect of shreds dimensions on functionality and consumer acceptance of low moisture Mozzarella cheese (LMPS) in Dr. Salunke’s research laboratory. Her project is funded by Dairy Management, Inc. Zeel received a Master of Technology in dairy chemistry and a Bachelor of Technology dairy technology from S.M.C. College of Dairy Science in India. Her anticipated graduation date is summer 2026. Zeel is pursuing a PhD degree to develop into a specific area of science, and to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills for personal development and future occupation.

Tsung-Yueh "Benjamin" Peng

PhD, University of Minnesota
Advisor, Dr. Johan Ubbink

Benjamin Peng is a PhD student working on leveraging the US potential to develop and market permeate powders using predictive approaches based on the state diagram in Dr. Ubbink’s research laboratory. His project is funded by Dairy Management, Inc. Benjamin received a Master of Science in food science and biotechnology from the National Chung-Hsing University in Taiwan (R.O.C). His anticipated graduation date is spring 2026. Benjamin enjoys travelling around the world to experience the cultural differences.

Vaishali Poswal

MS, South Dakota State University
Advisor, Dr. Sanjeev Anand

Vaishali Poswal is a master’s student working on the persistence and control of environmental Listeria in Dr. Anand’s research laboratory. Her project is funded by Dairy Management, Inc. Vaishali received a Master of Technology in dairy microbiology and a Bachelor of Technology in dairy technology from the National Dairy Research Institute in India. Her anticipated graduation date is summer 2025.

Shannita Ramnarine

PhD, Iowa State University
Advisor, Dr. Aubrey Mendonca

Shannita Ramnarine is a PhD student working on a broad-spectrum natural antimicrobial fermentate mixture to prevent mold spoilage and extend the shelf-life of shredded cheese in Dr. Mendonca’s research laboratory. Her project is funded in part by Midwest Dairy. Shannita received a Master of Science in food science and technology from the University of the West Indies in Trinidad & Tobago, a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, and a post graduate diploma in education from the University of Guyana in Guyana. Her anticipated graduation date is summer 2025. Shannita has many diverse interests ranging from science to politics to entrepreneurship and traveling. She enjoys physical activities and being outdoors. Shannita believes life is about establishing balance and finding ways to add value to people’s lives.

Suchismita Roy

PhD, University of Minnesota
Advisor, Dr. Jayendra Amamcharla

Suchismita Roy is a PhD student working on the development of a prototype for measuring water protein interaction in high protein powder in Dr. Amamcharla’s research laboratory. Her project is funded by Dairy Management, Inc. Suchismita received a Master of Science in dairy technology from the National Dairy Research Institute in India and a Bachelor of Science in dairy technology from West Bengal University of Animal and Fisheries Science in India. Her anticipated graduation date is spring 2025. Suchismita is a passionate dairy researcher and is keen on utilizing dairy ingredients in functional food products. She is also interested in product development competitions and mentoring undergraduate students about dairy research. In her leisure time, she loves to cook and read.

Changhua Su

PhD, University of Missouri
Advisor, Dr. Bongkosh Vardhanabhuti

Changhua Su is a PhD candidate working on tuning the texture and stability of emulsions by dairy protein-based ingredients in Dr. Vardhanabhuti’s research laboratory. Her project is funded by Midwest Dairy. Changhua began a master’s program at the University of Missouri in 2023 focusing on 3D/4D printing. In fall 2024, she transferred to a PhD program, continuing her work on food printing while also expanding her research to optimize the texture and stability of emulsions using dairy protein-based ingredients. Her anticipated graduation date is spring 2027. Changhua enjoys hiking and exploring new trails in her free time.

Vici Thahir

MS, University of Minnesota
Advisor, Dr. Fernanda F.G. Dias

Vici Thahir is a master’s student working on tailoring strategies to retain the intrinsic milk flavor in high protein systems in Dr. Dias’ research laboratory. Her project is funded by Dairy Management, Inc. Vici received a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology from the University of California, Davis. Her current research focuses on flavor retention in high-protein dairy systems. With the growing demand for high-protein products, her research leverages lipid, analytical, and flavor chemistry to develop processing strategies for developing high-quality dairy ingredients that are both nutritious and aligned with consumer flavor preferences. Vici's anticipated graduation date is May 2026.

Xiaohan Wu

PhD, University of Minnesota
Advisor, Dr. Fernanda Dias

Xiaohan Wu is a PhD student working on novel strategies to control oxidized flavor in milk powders in Dr. Dias’ research laboratory. Her project is funded by Midwest Dairy. Xiaohan received a Master of Science from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Science from Jiangnan University in China. Her anticipated graduation date is fall 2027. Xiaohan is a foodie and is passionate about doing research on food.

Yanbo Wang

PhD, University of Minnesota
Advisor, Dr. Daniel O’Sullivan

Yanbo Wang is a PhD student working on engineering Lactococcus lactis to produce a peptide-based antimycotic fermentate in Dr. O’Sullivan’s research laboratory. His project is funded in part by Midwest Dairy. Yanbo received a Bachelor of Science from Guangdong Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) in China. His anticipated graduation date is spring 2027. Yanbo is diligently pursuing exploration in the biology world and is a young person who loves food and cherishes life.

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