Nugen Research Team | Nugen Research Group

Prof. Sam Nugen

SAM R. NUGEN, Ph.D.

Professor
241 Stocking Hall
Department of Food Science
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
P: (607) 255-9185
snugen@cornell.edu

Sam Nugen is a Professor at Cornell University, Department of Food Science. His research group utilizes synthetic biology and phage based biosensors to develop novel methods to separate and detect pathogens from complex matrices such as food and environmental samples. Professor Nugen received his B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Vermont and his M.S. in Food Science from Cornell University. He then joined Kraft Foods as a Research Engineer where worked on process engineering for new products. After several years, Dr. Nugen returned to Cornell for his doctorate and post doctorate work in the departments of Food Science and Biological Engineering, respectively. After an appointment as Assistant Professor with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Dr. Nugen recently joined the Department of Food Science at Cornell as Associate Professor and in 2021 earned the position of Full Professor.

CURRENT GROUP MEMBERS

Pedro Julio Fernandez

Pedro Julio Fernandez

Pedro, a first-year PhD student in the Nugen research group, hails from Tigre, Argentina. He recently graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and a minor in Nutritional Sciences.

During his undergraduate years, Pedro gained valuable research experience in food science and microbiology, working in labs at both the University of Florida and Cornell University. He co-founded the Product Development Club at the University of Florida and actively participated in product development competitions.

Though new to synthetic biology, Pedro is eager to learn and grow within the Nugen lab and looks forward to an exciting PhD journey.

Shijie Qin

Shijie is a PhD student originally from Wuhan, China. She received her Bachelor of Science in Food Quality and Safety at Hubei University of Chinese Medicine where she minored in molecular biology and earned a certificate in comparative literature. With a master’s degree in food science from Auburn University, she researched the isothermal antimicrobial methods on fresh
produce. Shijie currently works with bacteriophage-involved isothermal amplification methods, which she hopes could be useful for onsite testing.

Beyond her professional work, Shijie enjoys hiking in the great outdoors of Ithaca gorges, wine tasting, and advocating for food insecurity and safety. She believes with thriving technology and better management, we could solve those problems in the future.

Rachel Carson

Rachel is a Ph.D. student originally from Leesburg, Virginia. She received her B.S. in Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) with a concentration in Applied Biotechnology from James Madison University (JMU). Her passion for research in Bacteriophages (phages) stemmed from her participation in the HHMI SEA-PHAGES program at JMU and the amazing guidance under her undergraduate research professor, Dr. Louise Temple. Rachel furthered her research in phages in Dr. Temple’s research lab and completed a senior Honors Thesis/Capstone.

With the rising number of antibiotic resistant bacteria threatening human’s ability to prevent and treat infections, new techniques and therapies need to be researched. Rachel dreams of having her research have a beneficial impact on the health and food safety system.

Ranee Anderson

Ranee Khadiajah Anderson

Ranee is a Ph.D. student in the Nugen Research Group. She is from Kingston, Jamaica. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from The University of the West Indies, Mona. Her undergraduate research was focused on the effectiveness of different protein purification methods. She has also done work on the types of cannabinoids found in types of cannabis plants. After undergrad, Ranee worked in the Food Science and Food Safety industry in Jamaica in an ISO 17025 accredited lab, where she worked on pathogen detections, new product launches and shelf life analysis projects. She hopes to contribute to the growing Food Science industry in Jamaica. Ranee is happy to be apart of the Nugen lab and is excited to contribute in anyway she can.

David Parker PhD student

David Parker

David is a Ph.D. student originally from Tumwater, Washington. He received his dual Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Sciences Degrees (BA/BSc) at the Evergreen State College, where he also worked in the Kutter T4 Phage Lab as a microbiology research assistant. His current research projects at Cornell focus on modification of bacteriophage host range and synthetic genetic circuits.