TEAM

J.P. VAN PIJKEREN, Ph.D.  |  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

JP is a Professor (with tenure) in the Department of Food Science. He is a trainer in the Food Science, MDTP, and N&M programs, and is Chair of the Food Science Graduate Program. He is also the Director of the Food Research Institute. JP received his Ph.D. degree from the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Center, University College Cork, Ireland. He conducted his postdoctoral studies at the Cork Cancer Research Center (Cork, Ireland) and at Michigan State University. JP lives in Madison, and in his spare time, he likes to ride his bicycle and cook.

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JEE-HWAN Oh, PH.D. | RESEARCH ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Jee-Hwan is a Research Assistant Professor in the Food Science department. He works closely with the VPL to develop innovative technologies that will help to understand the mechanism, and improve the function, of health-promoting properties of select lactic acid bacteria strains. He is actively involved in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in our laboratory. In his spare time, Jee-Hwan likes outdoor activities, and he likes to make traditional Korean Kimchi.

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MARK HEGGEN | GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Mark received his Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Biochemistry from Iowa State University in 2020. He is a sixth-year graduate student in the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Nutrition and Metabolism (N&M). As part of the lab, he works on the role of (p)ppGpp on the fitness of Limosilactobacillus reuteri. Outside his academic aspirations, Mark is an avid reader, enjoys running, and brewing beer.

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IN YOUNG CHOI | POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER

In Young is a postdoctoral researcher in the VPL. She received her doctoral decree in Food Science and Biotechnology from Kyungpook National University in 2021. Her research focuses on innovative techniques for the genetic engineering of lactic acid bacteria and the delivery of biotherapeutics. In her free time, In Young enjoys Pilates.

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MORGAN SMITH | GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Morgan is a second-year graduate student in the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Nutrition and Metabolism (N&M). She received her bachelors of science in Biochemistry from Michigan Technological University in 2022, with minors in Microbiology and Psychology. Morgan researches the effect of dietary sugars on bacterial interspecies competition. When not in the lab, she loves to hike, kickbox, and play D&D.

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HAILEY CHOI | GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Hailey is a second-year graduate student in the Food Science program. She completed her Master’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Jeonbuk National University 2023, and her Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from Seoul Women’s University in 2016. Her research revolves around antimicrobials produced by lactic acid bacteria and phages. In her free time, Hailey plays the piano.

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