Zahra Shahbazi
Food Scientist
Lincoln,NE
Summary
Ph.D. candidate in Food Science and Technology with deep technical expertise in sanitation, allergen control, and food safety research. Specializes in cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) for surface decontamination, protein allergenicity reduction, and novel cleaning technology development. Hands-on experience in dry cleaning validation, R&D-scale prototype construction, and lab-scale processing trials. Strong background in experimental design, analytical methods, and industry-focused innovation.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
2033
2033
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Research Assistant
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
01.2021 - Current
- Designed and built a CAP device for degrading allergenic proteins on stainless steel surfaces
- Conducted SDS-PAGE, ELISA, DH, and FAA assays for allergenicity evaluation
- Led a USDA proposal and presented research at national food engineering conferences
Dairy Pilot Plant Intern
UNL Food Processing Center
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Assisted with frozen dairy product production, and hygienic design procedures
- Supported dry cleaning validation and sanitation trials in a commercial-scale setting
Teaching Assistant
UNL
01.2021 - 01.2023
- FDST 430 Sensory Evaluation Laboratory & BSEN 225 Engineering Properties Lab
- Guided undergraduate students through hands-on lab experiments, reporting, and analysis
Research Assistant
University of Tehran
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Studied chemical cleaning procedures for fruit juice membrane clarification
- Authored publication on cleaning efficacy in industrial filtration systems
Education
Ph.D. - Food Science and Technology
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Lincoln, NEM.Sc. - Mechanics of Biosystems Engineering
University of Tehran
01.2014 - 01.2017
B.Sc. - Mechanics of Agricultural Machinery
Shahid Chamran University
01.2009 - 01.2013
Certification
3-A SSI Standards Training, 09/21
Professional Affiliations And Service
- Member, Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
- Member, Society of Food Engineering (SoFE)
- Guest Lecturer – BSEN 100 and ASABE NE Section Pilot Plant Tour
- Outreach Volunteer – FDST Recruitment & Education Events
Publications
- Selection of the most effective chemical cleaning procedure in membrane clarification, Shahbazi, Z., et al., 2021, J Food Process Preserv.
- Exploring Dry Cleaning and Sanitizing Practices in Food Processing Facilities, Shahbazi, Z., et al., Under Review
- Effect of Atmospheric Cold Plasma on Allergenicity, Shahbazi, Z., et al., Under Review
Conference Presentations
- Dry Sanitation Challenges in the Food Industry, CoFE 2022, Raleigh, NC, 10/22
- Scientific Literature’s Offerings to Dry Cleaning Validation, WHED 2022, Munich, Germany, 10/22
- Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma on Proteins, CoFE 2024, Seattle, WA, 10/24
Timeline
Dairy Pilot Plant Intern
UNL Food Processing Center
01.2023 - 12.2023
Research Assistant
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
01.2021 - Current
Teaching Assistant
UNL
01.2021 - 01.2023
Research Assistant
University of Tehran
01.2014 - 01.2017
M.Sc. - Mechanics of Biosystems Engineering
University of Tehran
01.2014 - 01.2017
B.Sc. - Mechanics of Agricultural Machinery
Shahid Chamran University
01.2009 - 01.2013
Ph.D. - Food Science and Technology
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
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