Graduate Student Profile - Hansel A. Mina

Hansel A. Mina successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation on July 2, 2024. Hansel is originally from Cali, Colombia, where he received his bachelor's degree in Food Engineering at Universidad del Valle.  

Hansel's dissertation was entitled, "Produce Safety Concerns: Routes of Contamination and Effective Sanitization Methods".

The increasing consumption of fresh produce has been linked to multiple foodborne outbreaks, emphasizing the need for effective measures to prevent bacterial contamination. Hansel's study revealed that foodborne pathogens can internalize and persist at different growing stages of fresh produce commodities through various contamination routes such as seeds, soil, leaves, and blossoms. The study also found that antimicrobial washing solutions improve the overall microbial quality of fresh produce, reducing the concentration of foodborne pathogens. The research suggests that the implementation of Good Agricultural Practices and the use antimicrobial washes with proper storage is essential for improving the safety and shelf-life of fresh produce, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Hansel was mentored by Dr. Amanda Deering. Other members of his gradate committee included Dr. Haley Oliver, Dr. Steve Lindemann and Dr. Robert Pruitt.

An undergraduate opportunity led Hansel to Purdue Food Science to pursue his Ph.D. "I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Deering as a visiting scholar in 2013 and truly learned a lot from her as my mentor and advisor, enjoying my experience in her lab. I immediately knew that I wanted to return to Purdue to continue working with Dr. Deering as my PhD advisor." Hansel is also an avid promoter of Purdue Food Science, saying, "I would highly recommend Purdue Food Science to prospective graduate students. My experience participating in various departmental activities was incredibly enriching. I learned a lot from different mentors and enjoyed the collaborative environment with professors and students from other labs. Additionally, the staff members are very supportive and foster a friendly atmosphere."

During his time at Purdue, Hansel received the Consumer Food Safety Education Conference Scholarship in 2021 and the Purdue Food Science Graduate Recognition Award in 2024. Hansel was also active in the Purdue Food Science Graduate Student Association from 2019-2020. 

After graduation, Hansel plans to continue his work in the Food Science department as a postdoctoral researcher. Congratulations, Hansel! We can't wait to see what you accomplish next!