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Dairy and Food Science Research

The Department of Dairy and Food Science has a long history of strong research programs in dairy production, dairy manufacturing and, more recently, food science. Research in the department is supported by the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and external competitive funds such as from the Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center, National Dairy Council, U.S. Department of Agriculture, industry, the endowed Alfred Chair and other sources. Department faculty are recognized leaders in dairy processing research, dairy cattle research and food science research. Faculty members are particularly well known for their work on dairy cattle health, dairy ingredient research and bio-based packaging. A state-of-the-art dairy processing plant and renovated labs support dairy and food science research activities. In addition, numerous high-end research equipment is also available through other departments on campus.

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 or to national journals.

Current Research Activities

  • Cameron Quast, 2025-26 (human biology, freshman, SDSU)
    • Project title: Identifying methods for detecting milk protein immunoglobulins
    • Funding: Industry collaboration – Sterling Technologies (Glanbia)
    • Mentors: Maneesha Mohan and Ting Mao
  • Emma Eggenberger, 2023-25 (agricultural business, junior, SDSU)
    • Project title: Effect of prebiotic Galactooligosaccharide produced from dairy processing waste stream on Gut Microbiome
    • Funding: Undergraduate research training program in agricultural microbiomes, USDA, Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates training program
    • Mentor: Maneesha Mohan
  • 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 agricultural microbiomes, USDA, Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates training program
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
Past Undergraduate Research
  • Allison Haltli, 2020 (biology, SDSU)
    • Project title: Comparing listeria species to form biofilms on different dairy floor types
    • Funding: Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Taylor Gilmore, 2020 (dairy production, SDSU)
    • Project title: Developing a novel whipped cream formulation containing WPH hydrolysate-encapsulated probiotics
    • Funding: Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Karl James Vallin, 2020 (food science, SDSU)
    • Project title: 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)
    • Project title: Genomic forensics for improving food safety
    • Funding: Summer training program in precision livestock production, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates training program.
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand and Joy Scaria
  • Maggie Becher, 2018
    • Project title: Studying injured cell recovery
    • Funding: Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Belma Husic, 2018
    • Project title: Hydrodynamic cavitation for high heat resistant spore control in dairy industry. Capstone research project to complete the requirements of human biology/ premedicine major.
    • Funding: DMI ongoing research grant and $1,000 for the capstone research from biology/microbiology
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Jene Martin, 2018, (microbiology, University of California, San Diego)
    • Project title: Genomic forensics for improving food safety
    • Funding: Summer training program in precision livestock production, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates training program
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand and Joy Scaria
  • Marie Zander, 2018
    • Project title: 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
    • Project title: Conducting risk assessment study for Staphylococcus aureus in dairy products
    • Funding: Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center 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)
    • Project title: 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).
    • Project title: Effect of different fatty acids on in vitro rumen dry matter degradation and fermentation
    • Funding: Summer training program in precision livestock production, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates training program
    • Mentor: Jill Anderson
  • Kelli Choudek, 2018 (animal science, SDSU)
    • Project title: 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
    • Project title: 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
    • Project title: 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
    • Project title: Hydrocolloids-based nutraceutical carriers
    • Funding: Start-up grant
    • Mentor: Srinivas Janaswamy
  • Uday Mishra, 2017
    • Project title: 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)
    • Project title: Genomic forensics for improving food safety
    • Funding: Summer training program in precision livestock production, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates training program
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand and Joy Scaria
  • Connor Bushman, 2017
    • Project title: An examination of environmental listeria’s antibiotic resistance and biofilm persistence
    • Funding: $2,500 Meeting the Grand Challenges Award, Honors College and National Dairy Council ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Shelby Riddle, 2017
    • Project title: To compare the population change in spore formers and spores during storage of raw and pasteurized milk
    • Funding: National Dairy Council ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Kirby Krogstad, 2017, (dairy production, SDSU)
    • Project title: 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)
    • Project title: Evaluation of rumen dry matter and ether extract degradability of dried distillers grains
    • Funding: Summer training program in precision livestock production, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates training program
    • Mentor: Jill Anderson and Derek Brake
  • Chelsea Schossow, 2016
    • Project title: 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
    • Project title: Value enhanced corn co-products in food and nutraceutical applications
    • Funding: Minnesota Corn Growers Association
    • Mentor: Padmanaban Krishnan
  • Logan Johnson, 2016
    • Project title: Microbial changes during various stages of ice cream manufacture and storage
    • Funding: Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Jae Young Sim, 2016
    • Project title: Effect of cavitation on microbial quality of milk
    • Funding: National Dairy Council ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Margaret Stiles. 2015
    • Project title: Effects of water quality on rumen fermentation characteristics and rumen degradation of dry matter and fiber
    • Funding: South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station
    • Mentors: Jill Anderson
  • Lauren A. Gonzalez, 2015
    • Project title: Influence of environment on Bacillus licheniformis spore formation
    • Funding: National Dairy Council ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Jae Young Sim, 2015
    • Project title: Effect of feeding lactic acid bacteria as "direct fed microbials" on the microbial quality of raw milk
    • Funding: Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center ongoing research grant
    • Mentors: Sanjeev Anand and Dave Casper
  • Jennifer Casperson, 2014-2015
    • Project title: 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
    • Project title: Effect of feeding lactic acid bacteria as "Direct Fed Microbials" on the microbial quality of raw milk
    • Funding: Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center ongoing research grant
    • Mentors: Sanjeev Anand and Dave Casper
  • Melissa Young, 2014
    • Project title: Inactivation of thermoduric spore formers in milk concentrates by ultrasonication
    • Funding: DRI ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Sarah Ericson, 2014
    • Project title: 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
    • Project title: 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
    • Project title: Ruminal and intestinal degradability of different types of distillers grains
    • Funding: Agricultural Experiment Station
    • Mentor: Jill Anderson
  • Rachel Achen, 2014
    • Project title: Role of Bacillus in quality of fermented dairy products
    • Funding: Daisy Brand
    • Mentor: Ashraf Hassan
  • Lee Alexander, 2013
    • Project title: Protein shake development for future clinical trials: A consumer study
    • Funding: Agricultural Experiment Station
    • Mentor: Hasmukh Patel
  • Megan Huegli, 2013
    • Project title: 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
    • Project title: 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
    • Project title: 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
    • Project title: 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
    • Project title: Incidence of thermoduric spore formers and spores in environmental samples of dairies
    • Funding: DRI ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Giovana Charite, 2013
    • Project title: Incidence and characterization of thermoduric spore formers and spores in nonfat dry milk
    • Funding: DRI ongoing research grant.=
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Lee Alexander, 2012
    • Project title: Effects of ultra-sonication on distribution of proteins in soluble phase and their effects on the functionality of yogurt
    • Funding: Agricultural Experiment Station
    • Mentor: Hasmukh Patel
  • Allison Sewell, 2012
    • Project title: Screening of thermoduric bacterial cheese isolates for proteolysis, lipolysis and gas production activities
    • Funding: DRI ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Kaylee King, 2012
    • Project title: Comparing biofilms formed under different processing substrates
    • Funding: DRI ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Megan Huegli, 2012-13
    • Project title: 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
    • Project title: Spore and spore-forming bacterial counts in raw milk. Undergraduate research project to meet the requirements of the honors college.
    • Funding: DRI ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Megan Huegli, 2012
    • Project title: Survival of spore-formers in whole milk by thermal treatment. Undergraduate research project.
    • Funding: DRI ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Angela Klaers, spring 2012
    • Project title: Hot chocolate ice cream – scale-up and consumer trials.
    • Funding: Agricultural Experiment Station
    • Mentor: Howard Bonnemann
  • Lee Alexander, 2011-12
    • Project title: Innovation in the dairy industry: Fluid milk and cereal on-the-go
    • Funding: Agricultural Experiment Station
    • Mentor: Howard Bonnemann
  • Angela Klaers, fall 2011
    • Project title: Development of a HACCP Plan for the SDSU Dairy Plant
    • Funding: SDSU Dairy Plant
    • Mentor: Howard Bonnemann
  • Kimberly Buehner, 2011
    • Project title: Ultrasonic treatment of milk inoculated with Bacillus coagulans spores. Undergraduate research project to meet the requirements of the Honors school.
    • Funding: DRI ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Kaylee King, 2011
    • Project title: Cleaning of bacterial biofilms on whey processing membranes
    • Funding: Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Angela Klaers, spring 2011
    • Project title: Hot chocolate ice cream – preliminary flavor studies
    • Funding: Agricultural Experiment Station
    • Mentor: Howard Bonnemann
  • Morgan Petersen, 2010-11
    • Project title: Zein as a new corn protein based encapsulation material for probiotic bacteria
    • Funding: Bentley Undergraduate Research Award, SDSU, $1,000 cash and $2,000 research funds
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Holly Bruns, 2010
    • Project title: Direct enumeration of metabolically active yeast from rumens of ruminally-fistulated cattle
    • Funding: Alltech Inc. and DS498 Undergraduate Research and Scholarship
    • Mentors: Arnold Hippen and Juan Tricarico
  • Rebecca Niewohner, 2010
    • Project title: Efficacy of a natural biopreservative, "Nisin," in different foods
    • Funding: SDSU Academic and Scholarly Excellence Award, $6,500
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Kathleen Dhal, 2010
    • Project title: In vitro evaluation of the resistance of membrane biofilms to the cleaning and sanitizing agents
    • Funding: Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center ongoing research grant
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Kara Gutormson, 2010
    • Project title: Improving the body, texture and flavor of orange sherbet
    • Funding: DS 498 Undergraduate research/scholarship and the SDSU Dairy Plant
    • Mentor: Howard Bonnemann
  • Trisha Schuller, 2009
    • Project title: Inhibition of light-induced oxidized off flavor in milk
    • Funding: South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and DS 498 Undergraduate Research/Scholarship
    • Mentors: Robert Baer and Howard Bonnemann
  • Kerstyn Ferrel, 2008
    • Project title: Microbiological safety of yogurt prepared with artificial sweetener sucralose
    • Funding: South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station
    • Mentor: Sanjeev Anand
  • Derek Griesse, 2007
    • Project title: Use of stainless steel electrodes to measure cheese pH
    • Funding: South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and DS 498 Undergraduate Research/Scholarship
    • Mentor: Robert Baer
  • Jonah King, 2007
    • Project title: Application of exopolysaccharide in process cheese
    • Funding: South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center and DS 498 Undergraduate Research/Scholarship
    • Mentor: Ashraf Hassan
  • Richard Derouchey, 2006-2007
    • Project title: Production of exopolysaccharides in whey
    • Funding: South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and DS 498 Undergraduate Research/Scholarship
    • Mentor: Ashraf Hassan
  • Bekki Wirt, 2006-2007
    • Project title: Inhibition of light-induced oxidized off-flavor in milk
    • Funding: South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and DS 498 Undergraduate Research/Scholarship
    • Mentors: Robert Baer and Howard Bonnemann
  • Betsy Raasch, 2006
    • Project title: Improving functionality of process cheese
    • Funding: South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and DS 498 Undergraduate Research/Scholarship
    • Mentor: Ashraf Hassan
  • Richard Derouchey, 2006
    • Project title: Determination of the freezing point of milk and evaluation of pinking defect in cheese
    • Funding: South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and DS 498 Undergraduate Research/Scholarship
    • Mentor: Robert Baer
  • Laura Kennedy, 2005-2006
    • Project title: Improving ice cream body and texture
    • Funding: South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and DS 498 Undergraduate Research/Scholarship
    • Mentor: Robert Baer and Ashraf Hassan
  • Amber Sperlich and Ruth Ann Milbrandt (joint project), 2005
    • Project title: Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in set yogurt as influenced by the production of an exopolysaccharide by Streptococcus thermophilus
    • Funding: Alfred Laboratory, $2,000
    • Mentor: David Henning
  • Amber Sperlich, 2004
    • Project title: Improving ice cream body and texture by addition of a mineral mixture (a powder high in calcium) to ice cream mix
    • Funding: South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station
    • Mentor: Robert Baer
  • Shannon Sellner, 2004
    • Project title: Evaluation of effects of processing method of soybean meal on ruminal degradability
    • Funding: Griffith Undergraduate Research Award of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, $500 cash and $2,000 research funds
    • Mentor: Arnold Hippen
  • Peter Linke, 2003
    • Project title: Various methods of delivery of glycerol to dairy cows
    • Funding: Joseph E. Nelson Undergraduate Research Mentorship, $3,000
    • Mentor: Arnold Hippen
  • Karissa Nielsen, 2003
    • Project title: Investigation of major physical and functional qualities of a cottage cheese manufactured with the transglutaminase procedure
    • Funding: Students in Technology Transfer and Research Program of the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research and Dairilean Inc. Joseph F. Nelson Undergraduate Research Mentorship, $5,000
    • Mentor: David Henning
  • Karissa Nielsen, 2003
    • Project title: Development of a value-added liquid product from concentrated milks
    • Funding: Griffith Undergraduate Research Award of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, $500 cash and $2,000 research funds
    • Mentor: David Henning
  • Charity Skogrand, 2003
    • Project title: Passive transfer of immunity to the newborn calf via three methods of feeding colostrum
    • Funding: Griffith Undergraduate Research Award of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, $500 cash and $2,000 research funds
    • Mentor: Arnold Hippen
  • Ann Harvey, 2002
    • Project title: A comparison of methods for on-farm determination of failure of passive transfer of immunoglobulin to dairy calves
    • Funding: Joseph F. Nelson Undergraduate Research Mentorship, $3,500
    • Mentor: Arnold Hippen
  • Peter Linke, 2001
    • Project title: Ruminally protected fructose as a preventative for fatty liver and ketosis
    • Funding:Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, $3,000
    • Mentor: Arnold Hippen
  • Jennifer Lunde, 2000
    • Project title: Effects of lactate, ßHBA and acetate combined with pH on lymphocyte proliferations
    • Funding: Joseph E. Nelson Undergraduate Research Mentorship, $3,500
    • Mentor: Arnold Hippen
  • Timothy Hesby, 1994
    • Project title: Evaluation of a double layer agar tube procedure for the rapid identification of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in food samples
    • Funding: Alfred Laboratory, $2,000
    • Mentor: David Henning
  • Derek Bowen, 1993
    • Project title: Levels of certain coliform bacteria and thermonuclease-positive Staphylococcus aureus in retail natural cheeses
    • Funding: Alfred Laboratory and MN-SD Dairy Foods Research Center, $10,000
    • Mentor: David Henning
Funding

Several campus opportunities are available to fund undergraduate research projects, including:

  1. Bently and Griffith Undergraduate Research Award
  2. Joseph E. Nelson Mentorship Award
  3. Schultz-Werth Award

Additional details for research opportunities are available from dairy science faculty members.

Contact us
Photo of Department of Dairy and Food Science
Department of Dairy and Food Science
Physical Address
1224 Medary Ave.
Brookings, SD 57007
Mailing Address
Alfred Dairy Science Hall 113, Box 2104
Brookings, SD 57007
Hours
Mon - Fri: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
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