Xiaomeng Wu has extensive experience in food science and safety. She received her Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Georgia, where she developed a rapid detection method for foodborne pathogens using silver nanorods. She has worked at Sealed Air Corporation developing new food packaging products and providing technical support. Her background includes co-founding an online grocery store, research internships, teaching assistant roles, and leadership positions in professional societies.
Position Summary:
Responsible for developing, implementing and managing systems to mitigate the risk of experiencing unacceptable levels of bioburden in products. This includes establishing best practices, process controls and environmental monitoring programs that reduce the potential for microbial product contamination. Also responsible for training manufacturing associates on aseptic technique and monitoring and coaching production associates at their work stations.
Key Responsibilities:
•Microbial sampling, identification & bioburden mapping of production facilities.
•Bioburden challenge studies for existing and new product formulations.
•Bioburden risk assessment and validation for new product development process.
•Aseptic process development and process control.
•Environmental and water monitoring of Rockford and Wisconsin sites.
•Interpret test results and initiate corrective actions as needed.
•Assist with equipment and process cleaning validations.
•Clean room management inclusive of mentoring and supervising 23 clean room associates.
•Microbial test-method development as per USP test method suitability.
•Contamination investigations & implementation of corrective actions.
•Prepare reports and present data with conclusions.
•Maintain microbiology laboratory equipment and supplies.
Also efficiently performed Preservative Efficacy Challenge Tests, Environmental monitoring, LAL Endotoxin testing (Kinetic & Gel Clot methods), Microbial Ingress Integrity Testing (both Dye Penetration & Bacterial Challenge testing), Microbial Identification using Biolog, Mycoplasma testing of products using Luminometer, Bioburden & Water testing.
I would describe myself as a conscientious worker, problem solver and a dependable team player with laboratory expertise in molecular cloning, virology and immunology. I am proficient at developing small animal infection models, mammalian cell culture, proficient at working in Biosafety level -2 and 3 laboratories, developing recombinant gene constructs through primer design, restriction digestion and bacterial cloning. I am proficient at nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) extraction, quantitative PCR and RT-PCR. My technical expertise in virology and immunology include performing plaque assays and foci forming assays to quantify viremia and ELISA. I possess extensive training in working with laboratory animals and I am proficient at intra-nasal and intra-peritoneal drug administration, working with animal restraint systems like the In-TOX system and have performed nebulization studies using guinea pigs in the past. I also perform tail DNA genotyping in mice.
Position Summary:
Responsible for developing, implementing and managing systems to mitigate the risk of experiencing unacceptable levels of bioburden in products. This includes establishing best practices, process controls and environmental monitoring programs that reduce the potential for microbial product contamination. Also responsible for training manufacturing associates on aseptic technique and monitoring and coaching production associates at their work stations.
Key Responsibilities:
•Microbial sampling, identification & bioburden mapping of production facilities.
•Bioburden challenge studies for existing and new product formulations.
•Bioburden risk assessment and validation for new product development process.
•Aseptic process development and process control.
•Environmental and water monitoring of Rockford and Wisconsin sites.
•Interpret test results and initiate corrective actions as needed.
•Assist with equipment and process cleaning validations.
•Clean room management inclusive of mentoring and supervising 23 clean room associates.
•Microbial test-method development as per USP test method suitability.
•Contamination investigations & implementation of corrective actions.
•Prepare reports and present data with conclusions.
•Maintain microbiology laboratory equipment and supplies.
Also efficiently performed Preservative Efficacy Challenge Tests, Environmental monitoring, LAL Endotoxin testing (Kinetic & Gel Clot methods), Microbial Ingress Integrity Testing (both Dye Penetration & Bacterial Challenge testing), Microbial Identification using Biolog, Mycoplasma testing of products using Luminometer, Bioburden & Water testing.
I would describe myself as a conscientious worker, problem solver and a dependable team player with laboratory expertise in molecular cloning, virology and immunology. I am proficient at developing small animal infection models, mammalian cell culture, proficient at working in Biosafety level -2 and 3 laboratories, developing recombinant gene constructs through primer design, restriction digestion and bacterial cloning. I am proficient at nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) extraction, quantitative PCR and RT-PCR. My technical expertise in virology and immunology include performing plaque assays and foci forming assays to quantify viremia and ELISA. I possess extensive training in working with laboratory animals and I am proficient at intra-nasal and intra-peritoneal drug administration, working with animal restraint systems like the In-TOX system and have performed nebulization studies using guinea pigs in the past. I also perform tail DNA genotyping in mice.
Focused Chemical/Microbiological technician highly effective at following USP methods and GMP practices with pharmaceutical and medical device experience.
Chemist accomplished in GC, HPLC, analytical and assay methods used on raw material and finished products to assure the quality and purity of products. Certified in Clinical Trials and Drug Development and worked side by side a chemical formulator R&D chemist for 3 years. Coordinated process validation procedures, stability program, chemical waste management system, calibration program, laboratory set up, ordering and SOP procedural writing.
Versed Microbiological surface and air quality testing, process validation, microbiological identification, trending, tracking, gram staining techniques and microbiological morphology. Certified in Pharmaceutical Microbiology.
I am a graduate from Saint Michael's College with over a year's experience in the Biotech industry. I am interested in any opportunity to grow in the scientific field.
1. Xiaomeng Wu
xiaomengwu56@gmail.com
3021 Palm Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29715 (765) 418-3102
EDUCATION
Ph. D in Food Science, August 2014 The University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Dissertation: Rapid Detection and Differentiation of Pathogenic Bacteria by Silver Nanorod Array Based
Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) in Fresh Produce
B.S. in Food Science, May 2009 Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Cumulative GPA: 3.83/4.0 (Graduation with Distinction)
WORKING EXPERIENCE
Sealed Air Corporation – Food Care R&D Duncan, SC
Senior Applications Expert, Technical Leadership Program January 2015-September 2016
• Performed development, analytical testing, evaluation, and extensive documentation for food packaging
products (Cryovac®) and food hygiene products (Diversay®). Applied food safety expertise to design new
products and improve the quality of existing products.
• Contributed expertise for over 10 projects across fresh red meat, smoked and processed meat, poultry,
beverage, fruit and vegetables, pastry, and ready meal sectors. Served as technical lead for 6 of those projects.
• Audited processing plants and provided consultation to fresh red meat, case ready, and processed meat
customers. Successfully extended customer products’ shelf lives through appropriate food packaging
solutions, food hygiene products, and sanitation program.
• Applied project management tools in innovation projects and oversaw all project activities.
• Developed innovative antimicrobial packaging material for fresh and processed meat to inhibit Listeria.
• Provided technical support for Asia Pacific region. Substantially increased the company’s sale in China.
Dinho Online Supermarket LLC Athens, GA
Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer July 2012-August 2013
• Co-founded the first online grocery store in the region and successfully expanded to two chain stores
within one year.
• Supervised the daily operations of the company and execution of business plan, especially the food
safety aspects of the supply chain.
• Steered the business model from chain stores to franchising.
CapitalBio Corporation - Microarray Service Group Beijing, China
Summer Internship as Research Scientist May 2012- August 2012
- Consulted with clients and provided microarray services to meet their research or commercial needs,
especially in microorganism detection. Designed primers and DNA probes, performed microarray detection,
and then assessed the performance of the microarray chips.
Purdue University Sensory Evaluation Lab & Pilot Plant West Lafayette, IN
Lab and Plant Technician March 2008-May 2009
- Prototyped new product concepts using pilot plant equipment and machinery for food industrial
representatives. Performed sensory tests to evaluate competitive products versus new products.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
UGA, Center for Food Safety /Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center Athens, GA
Graduate Research Assistant August 2009-August 2014
• Dissertation work on the U.S. Department of Agriculture project “rapid detection of foodborne
pathogenic bacteria using silver nanorods (AgNR) based SERS”. Modified the surface of the nanostructure
2. with antibiotics for bacteria capture. Successfully lowered the limit of detection of pathogenic bacteria to 100
CFU/ml, and the rapid detection method was applied in various fresh produce products.
• Investigated the detection of aflatoxins using SERS, and successfully detected and differentiate four
types of aflatoxins commonly occurred in food commodities.
• Collaborated with Emory Children Hospital on the research of rapid diagnostics of Pseudomonas
Aeruginosa using SERS. Successfully detected the infection in the clinical sputum and exhale breath
condenses samples from patients with cystic fibrosis disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Collaborated with Naval Medical Research Unit on the rapid detection and differentiation of antibiotic
resistant strains of bacteria vs. the wild strains in human blood, serum, and in wound wash using SERS.
• Manager of nanofabrication clean room and a bio-sensing laboratory. Designed and constructed optical
and mechanical instruments for experiments, such as an inductively coupled plasma generator facilitating
nanostructure cleaning and in vivo SERS measurements. Performed regular maintenance, calibration and
repair work on electron-beam evaporator system, Raman microscopes, plasma generator, and etc.
• Collaborated with Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. on the development and customization of
FirstDefender™ RMX Handheld Chemical Identification device. Constructed optical adaptor for the device
to be used with AgNR substrates, and developed SOP for the detection of bacteria with such device.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant, The University of Georgia January 2010-August 2013
- Assisted in teaching 3 undergraduate courses: New Food Product Development, Special Problems in Food
Science, and International Agribusiness and Environmental Management.
Mentor, Young Scholars Research Apprenticeship Program May-July, 2010 and May-July 2011
- Mentored participating high school students in individual research projects. Supervised students in daily
research activities and final oral presentation. One of my students won 1st Place in Presentation Competition.
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Student Affairs and Advisory Committee, Chinese American Food Society. 2016-Present
President, Toastmasters International Sealed Air Duncan Club 2015- 2016
Committee member, Sealed Air Women’s Initiative Network 2015- 2016
Committee member, Sealed Air R&D Safety Steering Committee 2016
Team Leader, PDMA Student Product Development Competition April, 2010
- Let a team of 7 students developing a yogurt coated pomegranate granola with antioxidants, prebiotics, and
probiotics. Won Second Place in the competition.
Executive Vice President, Chinese Student Association, The University of Georgia 2011-2014
AWARDS
• The University of Georgia Graduate School Dean’s Award for International Study, 2013
• Chinese American Food Society Graduate Student Scholarship, 2011
• Purdue University Food Science Grand Cru Award, 2009
• Rex Hall Memorial Scholarship, Purdue University, 2008
SKILLS & CERTIFICATES
• Language: Fluent in both Chinese (Mandarin) and English.
• Lab work: Expert on conventional and molecular microbiology methods, cell culture, packaging
material characterization, and nanomaterial fabrication. Proficient in physical, chemical, and biological
analytical methods, such as PCR, microarray, SEM, TEM, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis, and etc.
• Computer: Proficient in Minitab®, SAS®, MatLab®, Compusense®, AutoCAD®, and etc.
• Certifications: Certified New Product Development Professional (Product Development Management
Association); Certificate of Developing and Implementing GAPs & HACCP for Fresh Produce Industry.
• Training: Design for Lean Six Sigma green belt; Project Management.
PUBLICATIONS
• 9 refereed journal articles (6 first author) and 4 refereed conference papers at national conferences.
