Joy Agbawodike

PhD, University of Minnesota
Advisor, Dr. Jayendra Amamcharla

Joy Abgawodike is a PhD student working on an alternative approach to produce sugar-free high protein ingredients and converting residual lactose into lactobionic acid in Dr. Jayendra Amamcharla’s research laboratory. Her project is funded by Dairy Management, Inc. Joy received a Master of Science from New Mexico State University and a Bachelor of Science from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere, Ogun State, Nigeria. Joy enjoys working with other graduate students and professionals in the dairy and food science community and staying connected to the latest developments in her field. Her anticipated graduation date is spring 2029.

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.

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.

Maryam Nazari

PhD, University of Minnesota
Advisor, Dr. Jayendra Amamcharla

Maryam Nazari is a PhD student working on enhancing the functional properties of high-protein beverages through dry heating of whey protein in Dr. Jayendra Amamcharla’s research laboratory. Maryam received a Master of Science from University of Tabriz in Iran, a Bachelor of Science from Islamic Azad University in Qazvin Branch in Iran, and a Bachelor of Science in food science from the University of Minnesota. Maryam enjoys conducting research in food science and as a member of Phi Tau Sigma, The Honor Society of Food Science and Technology, she enjoys giving back to the food science community. In her leisure time, Maryam likes cooking and painting. Her anticipated graduation date is spring 2027.

Ranju Parajuli

MS, Iowa State University
Advisor, Dr. Dylan Liu

Ranju Parajuli is a master’s student working on sustainable biosynthesis of bacterial cellulose from permeate in Dr. Dylan Liu’s research laboratory where she is transforming dairy co-products (whey permeate) into value-added materials such as bacterial cellulose. Her project is funded by Dairy Management, Inc. Ranju received a Bachelor of Science in food science from Iowa State University. She is originally from Nepal, where dairy farming sustains many livelihoods and has always been motivated to create impactful solutions in this field. With support from organizations like Dairy Management Inc., Ranju is committed to advancing research that highlights the real-world potential of dairy co-products. Ranju is truly grateful to be part of this project.

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 spring 2027.

Suchismita Roy

PostDoc, 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. 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.

Neeta Shambhulingappa Ukkunda

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

Neeta Shambhulingappa Ukkunda is a PhD student working on modifying the functionality of whey protein phospholipid concentrate through cavitation in Dr. Mohan’s research laboratory. Her project is funded in part by Midwest Dairy. Neeta received a Master of Science degree in Food Technology from NIFTEM Thanjavurin Tamil Nadu, India. Her anticipated graduation date is spring 2030. Neeta is a passionate food technologist with sound knowledge in the field of food science and technology. She looks forward to enhancing the skills necessary to reach the highest academic pursuits and to serve society.

Kendyl Stueber

MS, University of Minnesota
Advisor, Dr. Jayendra Amamcharla

Kendyl Stueber is a master’s student working on separation of beta casein from skim milk through the use of microfiltration in Dr. Amamcharla’s research laboratory. Her project is funded by Dairy Management, Inc. Kendyl received a Bachelor of Science in food science at the University of Minnesota. Her anticipated graduation date is spring 2027. Kendyl enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, kayaking, and paddleboarding. She also enjoys cooking and reading.

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.

Angelica Tongco

PhD, Iowa State University
Advisor, Dr. Aubrey Mendonca

Angelica Tongco is a PhD student working on the control of fungal growth to extend shelf life of Cheddar and Mozzarella cheese in Dr. Aubrey Mendonca’s research laboratory. Her project is funded in part by Midwest Dairy. Angelica received a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Philippines. Her anticipated graduation date is fall 2028. Angelica has experience in a wide range of fields, from computational vaccinology to host-pathogen interactions, to food science. In her spare time, she enjoys performing and collaborating on music projects as a vocalist, pianist, and engraver.

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.

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