Current Team Members
Dr. Yanyun Zhao
Principle Investigator, University Distinguished Professor
Department of Food Science and Technology
Dr. Jooyeoun Jung
Principle Investigator, Assistant Professor
Department of Food Science and Technology
Dr. Chieh-Yi (Jerry) Lin
Currently: Postdoctoral Scholar under Dr. Zhao
Research: 1) Upcycle fiber-rich agri-food byproducts into sustainable packaging materials and other value-added applications; 2) Evaluate antimicrobial food coatings for extending product shelf-life.
Previous Degree: M.S. in Food Science at Fu Jen Catholic University; Ph.D. in Food Science & Technology, Oregon State University.
Sarah Caballero
Currently: Ph.D. Student under Dr. Jung
Research: 1) Functional food coatings to reduce food loss; 2) Techno-economic analysis of sustainable packaging; 3) Sustainable food packaging.
Previous Degree: M.S. in Food Science and Technology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Aubri Baskin
Currently: M.S. Student under Dr. Zhao
Research: Develop sprayable coatings to mitigate sunburn in berry fruit
Previous Degree: B.S. in Food Science, University of Florida
Xiaofang Bai
Currently: Ph.D. candidate under Dr. Jung
Research: Extract fibers from plant-based agri-food byproduct for creating molded pulp packaging.
Previous degree: B.S. in Food Science & Technology at Northwest Forest University, China; M.S. in Food Science & Technology, Oregon State University.
Cecilia Hernandez-Hosaka
Currently: Ph.D. student under Dr. Jung
Research: Upcycle food processing byproducts into sustainable packaging materials.
Previous Degree: B.S. in Chemistry at Queen’s University, Canada; M.S. in Food Science & Technology, Oregon State University
Kaylin Prayitno
Currently: M.S. student under Dr. Zhao
Research: Develop biodegradable packaging for cheese.
Previous Degree: B.S. in Food and Nutritional Sciences, California State University, Fresno – Fresno, CA
Natcha Jirapakkul
Currently: M.S. student under Dr. Zhao
Research: Agri-food residues for packaging
Previous Degree: B.S. in Food Science & Technology, Kasetsart University, Thailand