Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate Research

There are excellent opportunities for undergraduate research at SDSU and dairy and food science students are encouraged to participate. Students work with dairy and food science research faculty to develop research programs and complete their projects. Students may engage in undergraduate research via enrollment in courses such as DS (or FS) 492, Special Topics; DS (or FS) 491, Special Problems; or DS (or FS) 498, Undergraduate Research/Scholarship in conjunction with dairy and food science faculty. Opportunities are also available to present and publish and present successful, quality research work. Presentations may be on campus or at national conferences and publications may be submitted to the SDSU Journal of Undergraduate Research or to national journals. 

Dairy and Food Science Undergraduate Research Activities

Thomas Poegel, 2024-25 (biotechnology, freshman, SDSU). ‘Project title: Culturing and identification of listeria using microbiological and molecular techniques.’
Funding: Undergraduate research training program in Ag Microbiomes, USDA, REEU undergraduate training program.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Hannah Cooper, 2023 (microbiology, junior). ‘Project title: Comparing listeria innocua biofilm formation on food contact (stainless steel) and non-food contact (poured concrete floor) surfaces.
Funding: MDFRC on going project.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Elise Zellers, 2022 (microbiology, senior, SDSU natural sciences). ‘Project title: Antimicrobial molecules of bacterial origin’.
Funding: MDFRC on going project.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Wyatt Seagren, 2022 (human biology, sophomore, SDSU). ‘Project title: Culturing and identification of listeria and evaluating its biofilm forming potential on dairy floors.’
Funding: Summer training program in precision livestock production, USDA, REEU undergraduate training program.
Mentors: Sanjeev Anand, Jose Gonzalez

Nolan Lee, 2022 (community public health, EHS, SDSU). ‘Project title: Influence of a typical CIP protocol on surface roughness of gaskets and biofilm formation’. 

Funding: MDFRC research grant.

Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Jacoby Theodore, 2021 (dairy manufacturing, SDSU). ‘Influence of microbial contaminants on whey protein quality.’
Funding: MDFRC ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Allison Haltli, 2020 (biology, SDSU). ‘Comparing listeria species to form biofilms on different dairy floor types’.
Funding: MDFRC ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Taylor Gilmore, 2020 (dairy production, SDSU). ‘Developing a novel whipped cream formulation containing WPH hydrolysate-encapsulated probiotics’.
Funding: MDFRC ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Karl James Vallin, 2020 (food science, SDSU). ‘Porous starches as carriers of bioactive compounds’.
Funding: Orville and Enolia Bentley Undergraduate Research.
Mentor: Srinivas Janaswamy

Dani Rinehart, 2019, (B.S. animal science/ biotechnology, Oklahoma State University, Still Water), ‘Genomic forensics for improving food safety.’
Funding: Summer training program in precision livestock production, USDA, REEU undergraduate training program.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand and Joy Scaria

Maggie Becher, 2018. 'Studying injured cell recovery.'
Funding: MDFRC ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Belma Husic, 2018. ‘Hydrodynamic Cavitation for High Heat Resistant Spore (HHRS) Control in Dairy Industry’. Capstone research project to complete the requirements of Human Biology/ Pre-Medicine major.
Funding: DMI ongoing research grant and $1,000 for the Capstone Research from Bio Micro. 
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Jene Martin, 2018, (microbiology, University of California, San Diego), ‘Genomic forensics for improving food safety.’
Funding: Summer training program in precision livestock production, USDA, REEU undergraduate training program.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand and Joy Scaria

Marie Zander, 2018. ‘Standardizing a nonthermal process for controlling spore formers'
Funding: DMI ongoing research grant. To meet the requirements of Honors College Independent Study. J. F. Nelson Award 2018 for undergraduate research ($2,500).
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Maggie Becher, 2018. 'Conducting risk assessment study for Staphylococcus aureus in dairy products.'
Funding: MDFRC ongoing research grant plus Schreiber Foods ($1,650). To meet the requirements of Honors College Independent Study. J. F. Nelson Award for undergraduate research ($2,500).
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Alexandra Preszler, 2018, (dairy production and animal science, SDSU). 'Effects of carbohydrate by-products on in vitro rumen fermentation and gas production." 

Funding:  Undergraduate Research Engagement Award from the SDSU College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences ($2,000).
Mentor: Jill Anderson

Mikayla Johnson, 2018, (animal science, Tuskegee University). 'Effect of different fatty acids on in vitro rumen dry matter degradation and fermentation.'  
Funding: Summer training program in precision livestock production, USDA, REEU undergraduate training program. 
Mentor: Jill Anderson

Kelli Choudek, 2018 (animal science, SDSU). 'Evaluation of rumen fermentation and digestibility of Brassica Carinata meal compared with other biofuel industry co-product meals commonly used as dairy cattle feedstuffs'.
Funding: North Central Regional Sun Grant Center Undergraduate Research Award ($5,000).
Mentor: Jill Anderson

Katherine Lake. 2017, The effects of mixing bowl geometry and mixer types on bread loaf volume and crumb structure using a C-Cell Imaging System.
Funding: Griffith Undergraduate Research Award, $3,000 with additional $1,000 leveraged from Biology/Microbiology Capstone program
Mentor: Padmanaban Krishnan

Derek James Tramp. 2017, Rheology and composition of oat-based flour for production of healthy oat-based foods from South Dakota Agriculture.
Funding: Orville and Enolia Bentley Undergraduate Research Award, $3,000 with additional $1,000 leveraged from Biology/Microbiology Capstone program
Mentor: Padmanaban Krishnan

Joshua von Winckelmann-Belrose, 2017, ‘Hydrocolloids-based nutraceutical carriers’
Funding: Start up grant
Mentor: Srinivas Janaswamy

Uday Mishra, 2017, ‘Improving Water Quality to Sustain Agricultural Ecosystems through Novel use of Biopolymers.’
Funding: Research/Scholarship Support Fund 2017
Mentor: Srinivas Janaswamy

April A Johnson, 2017, (animal, poultry and veterinary science, Tuskegee University), ‘Genomic forensics for improving food safety.’
Funding: Summer training program in precision livestock production, USDA, REEU undergraduate training program.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand and Joy Scaria

Connor Bushman, 2017, ‘An examination of environmental Listeria’s antibiotic resistance and biofilm persistence.’
Funding: $2,500 “Meeting the Grand Challenges” Award, Honors College and NDC ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Shelby Riddle, 2017, ‘To compare the population change in spore formers and spores during storage of raw and pasteurized milk’
Funding: NDC ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Kirby Krogstad, 2017,  (dairy production, SDSU). 'Evaluation of In situ and In Vitro dry matter and fiber digestibility of dried distiller’s grains with solubles with varying fat content."
Funding: Undergraduate Research Engagement Award from the SDSU College of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, $2,000 and POET Nutrition LLC. 
Mentor: Jill Anderson 

Aaliyah Partman, 2017 (animal science, University of Maryland). 'Evaluation of rumen dry matter and ether extract degradability of dried distillers grains.'
Funding: Summer training program in precision livestock production, USDA, REEU undergraduate training program.
Mentor: Jill Anderson and Derek Brake

Chelsea Schossow, 2016, ‘Evaluation of the potential of solubles syrup from microbially-enhanced soy protein production as a feed supplement for growing dairy heifers.’
Funding: Griffith Undergraduate Research Award of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences.
Mentor: Jill Anderson

Kirsten Anderson, 2016, ‘Value enhanced corn co-products in food and nutraceutical applications.’
Funding: Minnesota Corn Growers Association.
Mentor: Padmanaban Krishnan

Logan Johnson, 2016, ‘Microbial changes during various stages of ice cream manufacture and storage.’
Funding: MDFRC ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Jae Young Sim, 2016, ‘Effect of cavitation on microbial quality of milk.’
Funding: National Dairy Council ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Margaret Stiles. 2015, 'Effects of water quality on rumen fermentation characteristics and rumen degradation of dry matter and fiber.'
Funding: SDSU Agricultural Experiment Station
Mentors: Jill Anderson

Lauren A. Gonzalez, 2015, ‘Influence of environment on Bacillus licheniformis Spore Formation.’
Funding: National Dairy Council ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Jae Young Sim, 2015, ‘Effect of feeding Lactic acid bacteria as ‘Direct Fed Microbials’ on the microbial quality of raw milk.’
Funding: MDFRC ongoing research grant.
Mentors: Sanjeev Anand and Dave Casper

Jennifer Casperson, 2014-2015 , ‘Ruminal degradation and intestinal digestibility of microbially-enhanced soybean meal, dried distillers grains and camelina meal compared to original feeds.’
Funding: Griffith Undergraduate Research Award of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences
Mentor: Jill Anderson

Sara Sontag, 2014–2015, ‘Effect of feeding Lactic acid bacteria as ‘Direct Fed Microbials’ on the microbial quality of raw milk.’
Funding: MDFRC ongoing research grant.
Mentors: Sanjeev Anand and Dave Casper

Melissa Young, 2014, ‘Inactivation of thermoduric spore formers in milk concentrates by ultrasonication.’
Funding: DRI ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Sarah Ericson, 2014. 'Effect of milk proteins-structure on nutritional benefits in young adults (18-30 years) and seniors aged 60 years plus.'
Funding: Agricultural Experiment Station
Mentors: Hasmukh Patel, Lacey MacCormack
Collaborators: Bonny Specker and Matthew Vukovich

Jessica Becker, 2014. 'Effect of milk proteins-structure on nutritional benefits in young adults (18-30 years) and seniors aged 60 years plus.'
Funding: Agricultural Experiment Station
Mentors: Hasmukh Patel, Lacey MacCormack
Collaborators: Bonny Specker and Matthew Vukovich

Bobbi Wild, 2014, ‘Ruminal and intestinal degradability of different types of distillers grains.'
Funding: Agricultural Experiment Station
Mentor: Jill Anderson

Rachel Achen, 2014, ‘Role of Bacillus in quality of fermented dairy products.’
Funding: Daisy Brand.
Mentor: Ashraf Hassan

Lee Alexander, 2013. 'Protein shake development for future clinical trials: A consumer study'
Funding: Agricultural Experiment Station
Mentor: Hasmukh Patel

Megan Huegli, 2013. 'Influence of micellar to nonmicellar protein ratio on protein interactions and rheological properties of yogurt'
Funding: Orville and Enolia Bentley Undergraduate-ABS Undergraduate Research Engagement Award. $3,000 total, including a $1,000 stipend for the student and $2,000 for research operating expenses.
Mentor: Hasmukh Patel

Taylor Vanderwerf, 2013, ‘Growth performance and total tract digestibility of nutrients of dairy heifers precision-fed diets high in distillers grains with different forage particle size.’
Funding: ABS Engagement Award.
Mentor: Jill Anderson

Weina Liu, 2013, ‘Interaction of starter cultures and gas producing thermoduric bacteria to control the blowing or slit defects of Cheddar cheese.’
Funding: Griffiths Undergraduate Research Award. SDSU. $3,000 total, including a $1,000 stipend for the student and $2,000 for research operating expenses.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Brittany Sipp, 2013, ‘Inactivation of thermoduric spore formers and spores in milk concentrates by a combination of ultrasonication and pasteurization.’
Funding: DRI ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Jacob Sobraske, 2013, ‘Incidence of thermoduric spore formers and spores in environmental samples of dairies.’
Funding: DRI ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Giovana Charite, 2013, ‘Incidence and characterization of thermoduric spore formers and spores in nonfat dry milk.’
Funding: DRI ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Lee Alexander, 2012. 'Effects of ultra-sonication on distribution of proteins in soluble phase and their effects on the functionality of yoghurt,'
Funding: Agricultural Experiment Station
Mentor: Hasmukh Patel

Allison Sewell, 2012, ‘Screening of thermoduric bacterial cheese isolates for proteolysis, lipolysis and gas production activities.'
Funding: DRI ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Kaylee King, 2012, 'Comparing biofilms formed under different processing substrates.'
Funding: DRI ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Megan Huegli, 2012-13, 'Role of thermoduric bacteria in split defects found in Swiss cheese.' Undergraduate research project.
Funding: ABS Undergraduate Engagement Award. SDSU. $3,000 total, including a $1,000 stipend for the student and $2,000 for research operating expenses.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Eric Flynn, 2012, ‘Spore and sporeforming bacterial counts in raw milk’. Undergraduate research project to meet the requirements of the Honors school.
Funding: DRI ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Megan Huegli, 2012, ‘Survival of sporeformers in whole milk by thermal treatment.’ Undergraduate research project.
Funding: DRI ongoing research grant.
Mentor: Sanjeev Anand

Angela Klaers, Spring 2012, 'Hot Chocolate Ice Cream – Scale-up and Consumer trials.'
Funding: Agricultural Experiment Station,
Mentor: Howard Bonnemann

Lee Alexander, 2011-12, 'Innovation in the Dairy Industry: Fluid Milk and Cereal On-The-Go.'
Funding: Agricultural Experiment Station,
Mentor:  Howard Bonnemann