Emerson Nolasco
PhD Dissertation Defense Advisor: Dr. Kaustav Majumder
June 24, 2025 9:30 am FIC 277 Zoom Link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://unl.zoom.us/j/7647690037?omn=99045757127...
"Egg White Hydrolysate in Hypertension: A Mechanistic Investigation of Gut Microbiota-Dependent and -Independent Pathways"
Originally from Honduras, Emerson obtained his bachelor's degree from Zamorano University and his master’s degree in food science and technology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). He gained two years of experience as a production supervisor in a Honduran palm oil refinery, aimed at extracting bioactive compounds from palm oil, sparking his interest in the direct impact of food components on human health. This experience led him to transition to academia, where he researched the health benefits of bioactive compounds derived from whole foods. His doctoral research evaluates the anti-hypertensive activity of egg white hydrolysate, the impact of its digestion-resistant protein on the gut microbiome, and its subsequent effects in hypertension. Emerson is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Food Science and Technology at UNL.
[cid:820d0b05-e4d0-4aed-8f5e-ccd2691669a5]
Xiaohan Wu
PhD Dissertation Defense Advisor: Dr. Amanda Ramer-Tait
July 1, 2025 9:00 am FIC 277 Zoom Link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://unl.zoom.us/j/96532223581__;!!PvXuogZ4sR...
"Investigating the Potential of Dietary Condensed Tannins to Promote Faecalibacterium duncaniae Growth and Modulate Colitis in Human Microbiota-Associated Mice"
Xiaohan Wu is a Master’s student in Food Science and Technology at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she also received her Bachelor’s degree. Her research investigates how the gut microbiota and dietary prebiotics modulate intestinal inflammation, with a focus on the interactions between F. duncaniae, condensed tannins, and host immunity. She has experience working with gnotobiotic mouse models, microbiota sequencing, anaerobic bacterial culture, and evaluating the effects of various treatments on colitis in mice. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. with an emphasis on the role of the gut microbiome and nutrition in companion animal health and disease.
[cid:0e4ce4a8-97d2-4fb3-a93b-0f0d95c3d8e2]
Yi Xing
MS Thesis Defense Advisor: Dr. Yanbin Yin
Monday, July 14, 2025 1 pm FIC 275 Zoom Link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://unl.zoom.us/j/96899218533__;!!PvXuogZ4sR...
"CAZyme Gene Cluster Diversity in Human Gut Microbiome"
Yi Xing is originally from China and holds a bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Engineering through a 3+1 joint program between Northwest A&F University and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She is currently completing her master’s degree in Food Science with a specialization in Bioinformatics at UNL. Her research integrates computational biology and microbiome science to investigate the diversity and functional significance of carbohydrate-active enzyme gene clusters (CGCs) in the human gut. Focusing on their roles in dietary glycan metabolism and associations with obesity, her work aims to deepen our understanding of microbiome-driven metabolic health. She is set to begin her Ph.D. studies in Microbiology at The Ohio State University.
[In Our GRIT Our GLORY]
Joshua R. Russo, MA
Graduate Program Coordinator & Course Scheduling Office Associate
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Food Science & Technology
Lincoln, NE
4024725301
[cid:11b1ed6d-9cf9-47ff-ba21-7ef864ef6881]
Keith Scott
MS Thesis Defense Advisor: Dr. Mary-Grace Danao
Monday, July 14, 2025 2 pm FIC 220 Zoom Link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://mennel.zoom.us/j/81202463925__;!!PvXuogZ...
"Quantification of Chemical Preservatives in Corn Masa Flour by Near Infrared Spectroscopy"
Keith Scott is a Quality Assurance Manager at the flagship Mennel Milling flour mill in Fostoria, OH leading a team of Quality Assurance Laboratory Technicians and working to update and maintain programs ensuring both quality and safety of all food products produced by the facility. Keith obtained his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Indiana University Bloomington and, during his studies, contributed to a second-author publication resulting from his work with multidimensional infrared spectroscopy applied to the study of protein dynamics. Keith’s Masters work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has been geared toward leveraging his passion for spectroscopy and his more than five years of experience in flour milling quality assurance to find opportunities to introduce these rapid spectroscopic methods to improve production processes and streamline quality testing in industrial laboratories.
[In Our GRIT Our GLORY]
Joshua R. Russo, MA
Graduate Program Coordinator & Course Scheduling Office Associate
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Food Science & Technology
Lincoln, NE
4024725301
[cid:8fb57e25-744a-4237-87f9-8e911cbb2d4a]
Keith Scott
MS Project Defense Advisor: Dr. Mary-Grace Danao
Monday, July 14, 2025 2 pm FIC 220 Zoom Link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://mennel.zoom.us/j/81202463925__;!!PvXuogZ...
"Quantification of Chemical Preservatives in Corn Masa Flour by Near Infrared Spectroscopy"
Keith Scott is a Quality Assurance Manager at the flagship Mennel Milling flour mill in Fostoria, OH leading a team of Quality Assurance Laboratory Technicians and working to update and maintain programs ensuring both quality and safety of all food products produced by the facility. Keith obtained his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Indiana University Bloomington and, during his studies, contributed to a second-author publication resulting from his work with multidimensional infrared spectroscopy applied to the study of protein dynamics. Keith’s Masters work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has been geared toward leveraging his passion for spectroscopy and his more than five years of experience in flour milling quality assurance to find opportunities to introduce these rapid spectroscopic methods to improve production processes and streamline quality testing in industrial laboratories.
[In Our GRIT Our GLORY]
Joshua R. Russo, MA
Graduate Program Coordinator & Course Scheduling Office Associate
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Food Science & Technology
Lincoln, NE
4024725301
[cid:8fb57e25-744a-4237-87f9-8e911cbb2d4a]
Ilhami Okur
PhD Dissertation Defense Advisor: Dr. Bing Wang
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 10 am FIC 277 Zoom Link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://unl.zoom.us/j/8182571421?omn=93682293818...
"Implementation of Evidence-Based, Risk-Based Approaches to Enhance Salmonella Control in Different Food Products"
Ilhami Okur is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), under the advisement of Dr. Bing Wang. He received his B.S. and M.S in Food Engineering from Middle East Technical University, Turkey. His Ph.D. work centers around the evidence-based, risk-based approaches to enhance Salmonella control in meat products.
[cid:19c0f96c-aaac-425f-9ade-735dc228d41a]
[In Our GRIT Our GLORY]
Joshua R. Russo, MA
Graduate Program Coordinator & Course Scheduling Office Associate
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Food Science & Technology
Lincoln, NE
4024725301
Karen Nieto Flores
PhD Dissertation Defense Advisors: Drs. Andreia Bianchini and Jayne Stratton
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 9:30 am FIC 220 Zoom Link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://unl.zoom.us/j/93279677441__;!!PvXuogZ4sR...
"Educating the New Generation of Food Scientists Through Innovative Learning Experiences"
Karen Nieto Flores is a Ph.D. candidate in Food Science and Technology at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), with a minor in College STEM Education. Originally from Honduras, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Escuela Agrícola Panamericana, El Zamorano, and a master’s degree in the same field from UNL. Her research focuses on engaging high school students in food science through innovative, hands-on learning experiences. By designing and evaluating educational camps and curriculum-based interventions, she explores how experiential learning can shape students’ understanding of the food supply chain and interest in STEM careers. Karen is co-advised by Dr. Andreia Bianchini and Dr. Jayne Stratton.
[cid:19c0f96c-aaac-425f-9ade-735dc228d41a]
[In Our GRIT Our GLORY]
Joshua R. Russo, MA
Graduate Program Coordinator & Course Scheduling Office Associate
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Food Science & Technology
Lincoln, NE
4024725301
Karen Nieto Flores
PhD Dissertation Defense Advisors: Drs. Andreia Bianchini and Jayne Stratton
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 9:30 am FIC 220 Zoom Link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://unl.zoom.us/j/93279677441__;!!PvXuogZ4sR...
"Educating the New Generation of Food Scientists Through Innovative Learning Experiences"
Karen Nieto Flores is a Ph.D. candidate in Food Science and Technology at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), with a minor in College STEM Education. Originally from Honduras, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Escuela Agrícola Panamericana, El Zamorano, and a master’s degree in the same field from UNL. Her research focuses on engaging high school students in food science through innovative, hands-on learning experiences. By designing and evaluating educational camps and curriculum-based interventions, she explores how experiential learning can shape students’ understanding of the food supply chain and interest in STEM careers. Karen is co-advised by Dr. Andreia Bianchini and Dr. Jayne Stratton.
[cid:2b175ce5-cf61-4e36-84a9-01565161418b]
[In Our GRIT Our GLORY]
Joshua R. Russo, MA
Graduate Program Coordinator & Course Scheduling Office Associate
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Food Science & Technology
Lincoln, NE
4024725301
Karen Nieto Flores
PhD Dissertation Defense Advisors: Drs. Andreia Bianchini and Jayne Stratton
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 9:30 am FIC 220 Zoom Link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://unl.zoom.us/j/93279677441__;!!PvXuogZ4sR...
"Educating the New Generation of Food Scientists Through Innovative Learning Experiences"
Karen Nieto Flores is a Ph.D. candidate in Food Science and Technology at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), with a minor in College STEM Education. Originally from Honduras, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Escuela Agrícola Panamericana, El Zamorano, and a master’s degree in the same field from UNL. Her research focuses on engaging high school students in food science through innovative, hands-on learning experiences. By designing and evaluating educational camps and curriculum-based interventions, she explores how experiential learning can shape students’ understanding of the food supply chain and interest in STEM careers. Karen is co-advised by Dr. Andreia Bianchini and Dr. Jayne Stratton.
[cid:2b175ce5-cf61-4e36-84a9-01565161418b]
[In Our GRIT Our GLORY]
Joshua R. Russo, MA
Graduate Program Coordinator & Course Scheduling Office Associate
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Food Science & Technology
Lincoln, NE
4024725301
Good morning,
Karen Nieto Flores' dissertation defense time has changed this morning to start at 10 am instead of 9:30 am. More information is below.
[In Our GRIT Our GLORY]
Joshua R. Russo, MA
Graduate Program Coordinator & Course Scheduling Office Associate
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Food Science & Technology
Lincoln, NE
4024725301
Karen Nieto Flores
PhD Dissertation Defense Advisors: Drs. Andreia Bianchini and Jayne Stratton
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 10 am FIC 220 Zoom Link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://unl.zoom.us/j/93279677441__;!!PvXuogZ4sR...
"Educating the New Generation of Food Scientists Through Innovative Learning Experiences"
Karen Nieto Flores is a Ph.D. candidate in Food Science and Technology at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), with a minor in College STEM Education. Originally from Honduras, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Escuela Agrícola Panamericana, El Zamorano, and a master’s degree in the same field from UNL. Her research focuses on engaging high school students in food science through innovative, hands-on learning experiences. By designing and evaluating educational camps and curriculum-based interventions, she explores how experiential learning can shape students’ understanding of the food supply chain and interest in STEM careers. Karen is co-advised by Dr. Andreia Bianchini and Dr. Jayne Stratton.
[cid:2b175ce5-cf61-4e36-84a9-01565161418b]
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Joshua Russo