Our research integrates biomaterials and biointerface engineering, AI-enabled imaging and spectral analytics, and energy-efficient high-performance processing to address critical challenges across food and agricultural systems. By connecting materials, data, and processing, we develop engineering solutions for microbial control and food protection, process verification and hazard detection, and valorization of food and agricultural waste streams.
Our Research Themes
Biomaterials & Biointerface Engineering
for microbial control and food protection
We engineer food-compatible biomaterials and biointerfaces that control interactions among microbes, active agents, and surfaces across food and agricultural systems. Our research spans biobased delivery systems, multifunctional coatings, food-contact materials, and engineered interfaces designed to improve antimicrobial performance and reduce microbial persistence, transfer, and spoilage.
Current Directions
- Biobased carriers for antimicrobial and biopesticide delivery
- Functional food-contact and packaging materials
- Microbe–material interactions and biointerface engineering
AI-Enabled Imaging & Spectral Analytics
for process verification and hazard detection
We integrate imaging, spectroscopy, and sensing techniques with machine learning, deep learning, and multimodal analytics to extract rapid, nondestructive information from food and processing systems. These approaches support process verification, microbial and chemical hazard detection, quality assessment, and predictive decision-making.
Current Directions
- Machine learning and deep learning for image and spectral analysis
- Rapid process verification and hazard detection
- Multimodal prediction of food shelf life
Energy-Efficient & High-Performance Processing
for valorizing food and agricultural waste streams
We develop energy-efficient and high-performance processing strategies to convert food and agricultural waste streams into value-added materials and products. Our research seeks to improve energy and resource efficiency while recovering functional components and creating higher-value applications from underutilized biomass.
Current Directions
- Valorization of food and agricultural byproducts
- Recovery of functional compounds from waste streams
- Development of value-added ingredients and biomaterials