Sadhana Ravishankar, Ph. D.
Assistant Professor- Food safety
[email protected]
My interest in Food Safety includes: Controlling foodborne pathogens using various technologies and natural plant antimicrobials; improving the safety and quality of organic leafy greens; understanding the survival of foodborne pathogens on fresh produce, composts, and compost teas; attachment and biofilm formation of pathogens on fresh produce; ecology of foodborne pathogens in fresh produce growing environments; reducing pathogens and carcinogenic compounds in meats using plant antimicrobials; and stress response in foodborne pathogenic bacteria.
The courses I teach and a few of my research projects include: MIC 430/530- Food Microbiology & Biotechnology; MIC 205A- General Microbiology; MIC 205L- Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory; Improving the Safety & Quality of Organic Leafy Greens: assessment of good agricultural/production practices along the farm-to-fork continuum, Assessing contamination risk associated with dust, soil, compost and contaminated irrigation water as pathogen transfer vehicles to iceberg lettuce, Ozonated water and plant antimicrobials: A quick and effective method to inactivate Salmonella enterica on iceberg lettuce, On farm evaluation of the prevalence of human enteric bacterial pathogens during the production of melons in California and Arizona, Culturability of pathogens from produce wash water and irrigation water, Evaluation of attachment strength of Salmonella enterica to conventional and organic soils, Use of CHICO wash to control foodborne pathogens in vitro and on foods.
Aside from microbiology and food safety, I enjoy gardening and music. I am also a Girl's Scout leader, and I organize religious events.
Assistant Professor- Food safety
[email protected]
My interest in Food Safety includes: Controlling foodborne pathogens using various technologies and natural plant antimicrobials; improving the safety and quality of organic leafy greens; understanding the survival of foodborne pathogens on fresh produce, composts, and compost teas; attachment and biofilm formation of pathogens on fresh produce; ecology of foodborne pathogens in fresh produce growing environments; reducing pathogens and carcinogenic compounds in meats using plant antimicrobials; and stress response in foodborne pathogenic bacteria.
The courses I teach and a few of my research projects include: MIC 430/530- Food Microbiology & Biotechnology; MIC 205A- General Microbiology; MIC 205L- Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory; Improving the Safety & Quality of Organic Leafy Greens: assessment of good agricultural/production practices along the farm-to-fork continuum, Assessing contamination risk associated with dust, soil, compost and contaminated irrigation water as pathogen transfer vehicles to iceberg lettuce, Ozonated water and plant antimicrobials: A quick and effective method to inactivate Salmonella enterica on iceberg lettuce, On farm evaluation of the prevalence of human enteric bacterial pathogens during the production of melons in California and Arizona, Culturability of pathogens from produce wash water and irrigation water, Evaluation of attachment strength of Salmonella enterica to conventional and organic soils, Use of CHICO wash to control foodborne pathogens in vitro and on foods.
Aside from microbiology and food safety, I enjoy gardening and music. I am also a Girl's Scout leader, and I organize religious events.
Libin Zhu, M.S.
Lab Manager and Research Specialist
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My research projects include: using plant compounds, organic sanitizers and edible films to control foodborne pathogenic bacteria on organic leafy greens, cantaloupes and other foods; the survival of foodborne pathogens on leafy greens grown under different conditions and in irrigation waters from the growing region; the antimicrobial effects of natural plant compounds in grilled meats the potential use of copper alloys as antimicrobial food contact surfaces as an alternative to stainless steel.
Lab Manager and Research Specialist
[email protected]
My research projects include: using plant compounds, organic sanitizers and edible films to control foodborne pathogenic bacteria on organic leafy greens, cantaloupes and other foods; the survival of foodborne pathogens on leafy greens grown under different conditions and in irrigation waters from the growing region; the antimicrobial effects of natural plant compounds in grilled meats the potential use of copper alloys as antimicrobial food contact surfaces as an alternative to stainless steel.
Dr. Govindaraj Dev Kumar (MSc, MS, PhD)
Postdoctoral Research Associate
[email protected]
Currently, I study pathogen attachment and interaction with organic leafy greens and produce wash water contact surfaces using biophotonic imaging, molecular and culture based techniques. I am also interested in biofilms, bacterial phase variations as a strategy for survival and cross protection through environmental stress in foodborne pathogens.
Fun Fact: I have tested food for microbiological safety from 20 countries.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
[email protected]
Currently, I study pathogen attachment and interaction with organic leafy greens and produce wash water contact surfaces using biophotonic imaging, molecular and culture based techniques. I am also interested in biofilms, bacterial phase variations as a strategy for survival and cross protection through environmental stress in foodborne pathogens.
Fun Fact: I have tested food for microbiological safety from 20 countries.
Xeeroy Rada
Graduate Student
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Under Dr. Ravishankar's guidance, I work primarily with natural antimicrobials and their effects against the survival of foodborne pathogens in organic leafy greens. Currently, I am looking at the cross protection behind starved bacterial cells and their attachment to different produce surfaces. I have also worked on the development of robust biomarkers in foodborne pathogens for detection in complex food and environmental matrices.
At the UofA, I serve as a Research Assistant, and I teach the Microbiology Laboratory Course. After graduation, I hope to work under a government agency applying my knowledge of microbes to better prevent the spread of bacterial outbreaks within our communities.
I am a huge sports fan (Go Falcons, Go Braves!), and I enjoy watching movies and sleeping in on the weekends.
Graduate Student
[email protected]
Under Dr. Ravishankar's guidance, I work primarily with natural antimicrobials and their effects against the survival of foodborne pathogens in organic leafy greens. Currently, I am looking at the cross protection behind starved bacterial cells and their attachment to different produce surfaces. I have also worked on the development of robust biomarkers in foodborne pathogens for detection in complex food and environmental matrices.
At the UofA, I serve as a Research Assistant, and I teach the Microbiology Laboratory Course. After graduation, I hope to work under a government agency applying my knowledge of microbes to better prevent the spread of bacterial outbreaks within our communities.
I am a huge sports fan (Go Falcons, Go Braves!), and I enjoy watching movies and sleeping in on the weekends.
Arlette Schneider
Graduate Student
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I received my bachelor's degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Arizona in 2012. As an undergraduate I worked in Dr. Joens' lab where the focus was on Campylobacter jejuni in broiler chickens. During that time I developed a greater appreciation for research and the field of microbiology. I am now pursuing a master’s degree in microbiology as a member of Dr. Ravishankar's lab where I will be working on the control of foodborne pathogens with the use of natural antimicrobials. More specifically, I hope to focus on the mechanisms of action for these antimicrobials and their applications on various types of produce.
Graduate Student
[email protected]
I received my bachelor's degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Arizona in 2012. As an undergraduate I worked in Dr. Joens' lab where the focus was on Campylobacter jejuni in broiler chickens. During that time I developed a greater appreciation for research and the field of microbiology. I am now pursuing a master’s degree in microbiology as a member of Dr. Ravishankar's lab where I will be working on the control of foodborne pathogens with the use of natural antimicrobials. More specifically, I hope to focus on the mechanisms of action for these antimicrobials and their applications on various types of produce.
Gustavo Pinoargote
Graduate Student
[email protected]
I obtained my bachelor’s degree from EARTH University in Costa Rica and my Master’s from Texas A&M-Commerce. I work for EM Research Organization as a Technical Consultant. I am currently pursuing a doctorate degree in microbiology under the guidance of Dr. Ravishankar. My field of interest is the use of effective microorganisms in agriculture, animal husbandry and environmental restoration. I will focus my research specifically in improving the efficiency of microflora in the digestive tract of aquatic species of economic significance in Latin-American countries.
Graduate Student
[email protected]
I obtained my bachelor’s degree from EARTH University in Costa Rica and my Master’s from Texas A&M-Commerce. I work for EM Research Organization as a Technical Consultant. I am currently pursuing a doctorate degree in microbiology under the guidance of Dr. Ravishankar. My field of interest is the use of effective microorganisms in agriculture, animal husbandry and environmental restoration. I will focus my research specifically in improving the efficiency of microflora in the digestive tract of aquatic species of economic significance in Latin-American countries.
Ishan Shah
Undergraduate Student
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I am from Phoenix, AZ and a Microbiology major at the University of Arizona. Mostly, I assist the other undergraduates and graduate students with various projects. I am also in charge of making sure that all of the media is made and that the lab is clean and well maintained. After graduation, I want to go to medical school.
Undergraduate Student
[email protected]
I am from Phoenix, AZ and a Microbiology major at the University of Arizona. Mostly, I assist the other undergraduates and graduate students with various projects. I am also in charge of making sure that all of the media is made and that the lab is clean and well maintained. After graduation, I want to go to medical school.
Rodney Tollerson
Undergraduate Student
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I am from Homewood, IL, and am a junior at the university. I started working in Dr. Ravishankar's lab in February 2013. Currently, I am working on the effects wind and dust dispersal of organic and conventional soil on possible foodborne pathogen transfer as part of the WAESO grant awarded to undergraduate students. I am a microbiology major, and hope to attend graduate school. After school I think I want to eventually work in food sciences.
Undergraduate Student
[email protected]
I am from Homewood, IL, and am a junior at the university. I started working in Dr. Ravishankar's lab in February 2013. Currently, I am working on the effects wind and dust dispersal of organic and conventional soil on possible foodborne pathogen transfer as part of the WAESO grant awarded to undergraduate students. I am a microbiology major, and hope to attend graduate school. After school I think I want to eventually work in food sciences.
Amanda McRae
Undergraduate Student
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I'm an undergraduate studying microbiology and religious studies. I've been part of the Ravishankar lab since the spring of 2013. Being a part of this lab has helped develop my interest in the interactions between plants and microbes. I've helped out with different projects, but I have mostly aided in studying the transfer of Salmonella Newport from soil to leafy greens.
Undergraduate Student
[email protected]
I'm an undergraduate studying microbiology and religious studies. I've been part of the Ravishankar lab since the spring of 2013. Being a part of this lab has helped develop my interest in the interactions between plants and microbes. I've helped out with different projects, but I have mostly aided in studying the transfer of Salmonella Newport from soil to leafy greens.
Luis Murillo
Undergraduate Student
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As a Microbiology major, I started working in Dr. Ravishankar's lab in the Summer of 2013. Through this experience, I was fortunate enough to work on a project through the WAESO grant awarded to undergraduate students. I looked at the effects of sunlight exposure on irrigation water and pathogen survival. Currently, I am assisting both the undergraduates and graduate students with their ongoing projects while studying for Physician Assistant school.
Undergraduate Student
[email protected]
As a Microbiology major, I started working in Dr. Ravishankar's lab in the Summer of 2013. Through this experience, I was fortunate enough to work on a project through the WAESO grant awarded to undergraduate students. I looked at the effects of sunlight exposure on irrigation water and pathogen survival. Currently, I am assisting both the undergraduates and graduate students with their ongoing projects while studying for Physician Assistant school.
Tiffany Wong
Undergraduate Student
[email protected]
Currently, I am a junior studying microbiology (major), psychology, and spanish (minors). In the lab, I assist with media and help others with on-going projects. I am learning more about the internalization of Salmonella in spinach sprouts. My enthusiasm for hands-on learning and interest in infectious diseases and how they impact the world was what first drew me to the lab initially, and I plan to continue learning more about the implications of diseases and the role they play in our everyday lives.
Undergraduate Student
[email protected]
Currently, I am a junior studying microbiology (major), psychology, and spanish (minors). In the lab, I assist with media and help others with on-going projects. I am learning more about the internalization of Salmonella in spinach sprouts. My enthusiasm for hands-on learning and interest in infectious diseases and how they impact the world was what first drew me to the lab initially, and I plan to continue learning more about the implications of diseases and the role they play in our everyday lives.
Victoria Sotelo
Undergraduate Student
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Currently I am a senior majoring in Microbiology. I began volunteering with Dr. Ravishankar in the summer of 2013 and by the fall received my own individual project testing the attachment strength of Salmonella Newport to various soil samples. Soil has always been of much interest to me and by being able to incorporate it with bacteria was extremely exciting. As I continue in the lab I hope to develop a further understanding of Salmonella as well as helping out other members with their ongoing projects.
Undergraduate Student
[email protected]
Currently I am a senior majoring in Microbiology. I began volunteering with Dr. Ravishankar in the summer of 2013 and by the fall received my own individual project testing the attachment strength of Salmonella Newport to various soil samples. Soil has always been of much interest to me and by being able to incorporate it with bacteria was extremely exciting. As I continue in the lab I hope to develop a further understanding of Salmonella as well as helping out other members with their ongoing projects.