My name is Ariana Rojas, I joined the Food Science Department this past June as a Technician for the Milk Quality Improvement Program to work on the Pasturized Milk Voluntary Shelf Life Program. I attended Cornell during undergrad as a transfer student after completing my first two years in Texas. I recently finished my Bachelor’s a month before joining the MQIP.

My day to day schedule is mostly filled with performing our routine testing of milk samples received from dairy plants across the north east. In order to help maintain high standards and low bacterial counts, I test samples between 4 and 6 times throughout their shelf life and monitor how and when spoilage happens. I then collaborate with the rest of the VSL team to work with plants on areas of improvement. That way we can have the best possible milk on store shelves for you!