Ajay Kumar Yenduri
21 Ace Ave, 2201-C, Starkville,MS, USA
Summary
Driven and meticulous professional hoping to progress in the food safety and quality industry. Competent in risk assessment, food safety management system implementation and maintenance, global standard compliance, and encouraging ongoing development to satisfy client and regulatory demands. Committed to promoting a culture of excellence in food safety and quality throughout supply chains, improving product integrity, and protecting public health.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
Mississippi State University
Starkville, US
08.2023 - Current
- Conducted microbiological research on foodborne pathogens, particularly Listeria monocytogenes, in various food and environmental matrices.
- Designed and executed experiments to evaluate the efficacy of antimicrobial agents (e.g., potassium ferrate) on bacterial survival in water and on food-contact surfaces.
- Utilized aseptic techniques for microbial culturing, enumeration (plate counts, MPN), and identification (selective media, biochemical tests).
- Operated and maintained laboratory equipment, including biosafety cabinets, incubators, spectrophotometers, and autoclaves.
- Prepared research reports, data summaries, and graphical presentations for academic publications and conferences.
- Collaborated with faculty, lab members, and external stakeholders to support project objectives and ensure laboratory safety compliance.
- Contributed to the preparation of manuscripts and thesis documentation related to antimicrobial interventions in food safety.
- Hands-on use of an X-ray machine for treating bacteria, a calorimeter, water activity, pH meter, and spectrophotometer.
- Support teaching and curriculum development for multiple courses.
- Teaching assistant for Quality Assurance of Food Products, Undergraduate Seminar, Microbiology of foods, Guest lecturer for Careers in Food Science.
Internship - Laboratory Technician
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna
Bologna, Italy
10.2021 - 12.2021
- Checked the post-harvest quality parameters of fruits. (Kiwi, Apple) treated with girdling
- Hands-on experience with a colorimeter, Brix meter, penetrometer, and digital PH-meter.
- Experience in using Bio stimulators to increase fruit shelf life.
- Experience in checking diseases of fruits during shelf life. (Chilling injury)
Student Part Time Work
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna
Bologna, Italy
10.2019 - 12.2019
- As part of an experiment to produce crops of Salsola soda, Salicornia, and Quinoa, crops of Salsola soda, Salicornia, and Quinoa were monitored and watered with salt concentration.
- Measured physiological parameters every week and updated them in an excel sheet.
- Operated WP4c dewpoint potentiometer for checking water potential in leaves.
- Harvested and checked post-harvest measurements like fresh weight, and dry weight, and checked the nutrient content of all plants
Junior Executive Officer
Astona Global Ecosystems
Guntur, India
08.2017 - 07.2018
- Mass communication with people.
- Monitoring the crops throughout their growth period.
- Explaining and making to implement management practices for farmers related to pests and diseases. (Rice, Cotton, Chillies)
- Enhancing the knowledge to people regarding the organic agriculture techniques to improve yields of crops.
Education
Masters in Food Science - Food quality assurance, Food Microbiology, Food preservation, Food chemistry, Statistical Methods
Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS07.2025
Masters in International Horticulture Science - Plant Physiology, Post-Harvest Management, Fruit Quality, Plant Breeding, Ecosystem, Plant Pathology
University of Bologna
Bologna, Italy03.2022
Bachelor's of Science in Agriculture - Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology, Biotechnology, Horticulture, Soil science, economics
Lovely Professional University
Jalandhar, Punjab, India07.2017
Skills
- Mass communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Time management and multitasking
- Research
- Data analysis
- Lab equipment operation
- Microsoft Office
- Experiment design
- Risk assessment
- Microbial analysis
- Aseptic techniques and media preparation
- Problem-solving
- Collecting swabs
- PCR
- HACCP
- Quality control tests
- PCQI
Certification
- Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points(HACCP) - Accredited by International HACCP Alliance, Smart Food consultancies, Issued on 06/02/2025 — certificate number - sf2506cs210.
- Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) - Food Safety Preventive Control Alliance, Issued on 06/14/2025 — certificate number - 0a922c8b.
Organizational Skills
- Adaptable and flexible to every situation
- Natural ability to use a wide variety of approaches and methods to achieve the best results
- Enjoy working as part of a team, but can also work independently
- Excellent communication skills and can think critically in complex situations
Publications
A Review of Non-Thermal Interventions in Food Processing Technologies, White, S., Jackson-Davis, A., Gordon, K., Morris, K., Dudley, A., Abdallah-Ruiz, A., Allgaier, K., Sharpe, K., Yenduri, A. K., Green, K., & Santos, F., 2025, Journal of Food Protection, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100508
Projects
- Master's Thesis on the Effect of potassium ferrate concentration and contact time for the elimination of Listeria monocytogenes in water, food produce, and food contact surfaces
- Master's Thesis on Chenopodium Quinoa response to growing levels of water salinity - University of Bologna
- Bachelor's Thesis on characterization of tomato plants while exposed to different salinity levels
- Bachelor's Thesis on studying growth parameters in musk melon by comparing between mulched and non mulched areas
Languages
English
Full Professional
Italian
Limited
Spanish
Elementary
Telugu
Native/ Bilingual
Hindi
Native/ Bilingual
Acadamic services
Activities:
- Parliamentarian, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Science, MS State
- Member, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Science, MS State
- Member, Graduate School Association, MS State
- Member, Food Science Club, MS State
Community Engagement:
Mississippi State University
- Summer 2024: Mentored high school students a part of the Rural Medical & Science Scholars program on laboratory practices and food science careers
- Summer 2025: Mentored high school students as part of the Rural Medical & Science Scholars program on laboratory practices and food science careers
- Fall 2024: Helped, planned, and executed interactive activities for the Agricultural Science Professional Development (ACRE)program for Grades 6-12 teachers
- Spring 2024: Helped, planned, and executed interactive activities for the Agricultural Science Professional Development(ACRE) program for Grades 6-12 teachers
- Summer 2025: Helped, planned, and executed interactive activities for the Agricultural Science Professional Development (ACRE)program for Grades 6-12 teachers
- Summer 2024: Engaged Pre-K and grade school students on Careers in Food Science
- Spring 2025: Judge for the Food Symposium Student Poster Competition
Timeline
Graduate Research Assistant
Mississippi State University
08.2023 - Current
Internship - Laboratory Technician
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna
10.2021 - 12.2021
Student Part Time Work
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna
10.2019 - 12.2019
Junior Executive Officer
Astona Global Ecosystems
08.2017 - 07.2018
Masters in Food Science - Food quality assurance, Food Microbiology, Food preservation, Food chemistry, Statistical Methods
Mississippi State University
Masters in International Horticulture Science - Plant Physiology, Post-Harvest Management, Fruit Quality, Plant Breeding, Ecosystem, Plant Pathology
University of Bologna
Bachelor's of Science in Agriculture - Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology, Biotechnology, Horticulture, Soil science, economics
Lovely Professional University
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