Xueyan Hu

Ph.D. in Food Science with expertise in food microbiology and safety. Proven track record in microbial data analysis and academic leadership. Passionate about applying scientific research to industry quality assurance and seeking to leverage strong STEM training in a dynamic role.

1. Research & Technical

• Spearheaded Ph.D. research on edible sprout immunity to mitigate Salmonella and E. coli contamination.
• Successfully defended doctoral dissertation in food microbiology and food safety (July 2026).
• Analyzed complex microbial datasets utilizing R, SPSS, and SAS to drive research insights.

2. Leadership & Service

• Served as Campus Ambassador Secretary for the UGA Griffin Student Leadership Council.
• Selected as Student Committee Member for the CAFPNA, facilitating international academic dialogue.

3. Teaching & Outreach

• Dedicated 2 years as a Volunteer Tutor in Biology, Chemistry, and Math for 10th-grade students.
• Featured as a Guest Speaker for high school tours, translating complex food science for prospective students.

• International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) 2022-Present
• Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association 2023-2025
• Southeast Institute of Food Technologist (SEIFT) 2023-2024
• Center for Produce Safety (CPS) 2023-2024

• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control (HACCP), Alison Courseware Center 2026
• Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) Training, Chemical Hygiene Training, Hazardous Waste Management, University of Georgia 2025

• Hu, X., Lee, S., Manohar, M., Chen, J. (2022). Efficacy of ascaroside ascr#18 treatments in control of Salmonella enterica on alfalfa and fenugreek seeds and sprouts. Journal of Food Protection. 86(3): 100064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100064
• Hu, X., Lee, S., Manohar, M., Chen, J. (2023). The fate of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli on alfalfa and fenugreek seeds and sprouts as affected by ascaroside #18 treatments. Food Bioscience. 58: 103633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2024.103633
• Sun Y, Hu X, Guo D, Shi C, Zhang C, Peng X, Yang H, Xia X. (2019). Disinfectant Resistance Profiles and Biofilm Formation Capacity of Escherichia Coli Isolated from Retail Chicken. Microbiology Drug Resistance. 25(5):703-711. https://doi.org/10.1089/mdr.2018.0175
• Hu, X., Manohar, M., Dejonghe, W., & Chen, J. (2026). The optimal concentration of ascaroside#18 for control of Salmonella enterica and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli on alfalfa seeds and sprouts. Food Frontier.
• Kim, M.-J., Hu, X., Tishchenko, V., Manohar, M., & Chen, J. (2025). Assessing the efficacy of ascaroside #18 treatment in the control of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in spinach at harvest and postharvest stages. MDPI Horticulturae.
• Dai, Y., Mis Soval, K. E., Hu, X., Amponsah, L.A., & Chen, J. (2025). Modification of peach packing line prototype and the efficacies of hygiene practices used for peach packing lines. LWT - Food Science and Technology.
• Wang, M., Hu, X., Chen, J., & Zhou, H. (2026). The antimicrobial behavior of turmeric nanoparticle (TurNPs) on selected Salmonella enterica and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli strains. Food Bioscience.
• Hu, X., Manohar, M., Dejonghe, W., Kim, M.-J., & Chen, J. (2026). Efficacy of ascaroside #18 treatment in controlling the growth of enterohemorrhagic E. coli on seeds and sprouts of selected plants. LWT - Food Science and Technology.
• Hu, X., Diaz-Perez, J. C., Manohar, M., Dejonghe, W., & Chen, J. (2026). Quality attributes of, and treatment residues on, sprouts/seedlings grown from ascr #18-treated seeds. Foods.
• Hu, X., Diaz-Perez, J. C., Manohar, M., Dejonghe, W., & Chen, J. (2026). The levels of residues on harvested sprouts grown from ascaroside #18-treated seeds during the sprouting process. Manuscript in preparation. Poster accepted to present at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
• Lee, H.-E., Amponsah, L., Doane, S., Yang, W.-Q., Hu, X., Holland, R., & Chen, J. (2026). The hygiene conditions of conventional vs. modified blueberry machine harvesters. Poster accepted to present at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
• Lee, H.-E., Amponsah, L., Doane, S., Yang, W.-Q., Hu, X., Holland, R., & Chen, J. (2026). Equipment design-driven differences in the levels of microbial contamination and hygiene status of blueberry machine harvesters. Poster accepted to present at the American Society of Microbiology (ASM) Microbe, Washington, D.C.
• Hu, X., Manohar, M., Dejonghe, W., Kim, M.-J., & Chen, J. (2025). Efficacy Levels of Ascaroside #18 in Controlling Enterohemorrhagic E. coli on Seeds and Sprouts of Various Plants. Poster accepted to present at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Annual Meeting, Cleveland, OH.
• Kim, M.-J., Hu, X., Tishchenko, V., Manohar, M., & Chen, J. (2025). Assessing the efficacy of ascaroside #18 treatment in the control of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in spinach at harvest and postharvest stages. Poster accepted to present at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Annual Meeting, Cleveland, OH.
• Hu, X., Manohar, M., Dejonghe, W., & Chen, J. (2024). Identification of appropriate concentrations of ascaroside#18 in the control of Salmonella enterica and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli on alfalfa seeds and sprouts. Poster accepted to present at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Annual Meeting, Cleveland, OH.
• Hu, X., Lee, S., Manohar, M., & Chen, J. (2024). Efficacies of ascaroside treatment in the control of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli on alfalfa and fenugreek seeds and sprouts. Poster accepted to present at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Annual Meeting, Toronto, ON, Canada.
• Hu, X., Lee, S., Manohar, M., & Chen, J. (2023). Efficacies of ascaroside treatment in the control of Salmonella enterica on alfalfa and fenugreek seeds and sprouts. Poster accepted to present at the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) Conference, Atlanta, GA.
• Hu, X., Lee, S., Manohar, M., & Chen, J. (2023). Efficacies of ascaroside treatment in the control of Salmonella enterica on alfalfa and fenugreek seeds and sprouts. Poster accepted to present at the Southeast Reginal Fruit & Vegetable Conference, Savannah, GA.
• Hu, X., Lee, S., Manohar, M., & Chen, J. (2022). Efficacies of ascaroside treatment in the control of Salmonella enterica on alfalfa and fenugreek seeds and sprouts. Poster accepted to present at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Annual Meeting, Pittsburg, PA.

• Student Committee Member: Chinese American Food Professionals Network (CAFPNA), 2025–Present
• - Co-organized national student events, including professional development webinars, academic competitions, and virtual office hours.
• - Provided logistical and hosting support for the CAFPNA annual meeting to foster networking within the Chinese American food science community.
• Campus Ambassador & Secretary: University of Georgia Griffin Campus, 2024–Present
• - Documented official proceedings and managed administrative correspondences as elected Secretary for the campus ambassador program.
• - Spearheaded logistical execution for high-profile institutional events, including new student orientation, academic conferences, and graduation ceremonies.
• Member: Student Leadership Council, University of Georgia Griffin Campus, 2024–Present
• - Collaborated with student leaders to conceptualize, plan, and execute campus-wide activities, enhancing student engagement and multi-departmental community building.