Food Science and Technology at Virginia Tech

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SUSAN S. SUMNER

Interim Associate Dean and Director, Academic Programs
CALS

1060 Litton-Reaves Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061

P: (540) 231-6503
F: (540) 231-xxxx
E-mail: sumners@vt.edu

Education:
	Ph.D., Food Science/Food Safety, University of Wisconsin, 1987 M.S., Food Science/Food Safety, University of Wisconsin, 1984 B.S., Food Science, North Carolina State University, 1982
Teaching Responsibilities:
	FST 4604 (BIOL 4604), Food Microbiology (syllabus)
Research Interests:
	My research interest focuses on control of foodborne pathogenic bacteria. The research program is designed to focus on microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella and Listeria, to build a base of knowledge of how to control these microorganisms in a food processing facility. Current projects include investigation of wash treatments for fresh vegetables, and apples, the application of edible films, and the use of ultraviolet light to inhibit microorganisms. The projects are also designed with very applied outcomes that will help support my extension goals to educate food processors on safe handling procedures.
Recent Publications:
	Yaun, B.R., Sumner, S.S., Eifert, J.D., and Marcy, J.E. 2003. Inhibition of Pathogens on Fresh Produce by Ultraviolet Energy. Int. J. Food Microbiol. In press. Yaun, B.R., Sumner, S.S., Eifert, J.D., and Marcy, J.E. 2003. Response of Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 to UV Energy. J. Food Protect. 66:1071-1073. Kniel, K.E., Sumner, S.S., Lindsay, D.S., Hackney, C.R. Pierson, M.D., Zajac, A.M., Golden, D.A., and Fayer, R. 2003. Effect of organic acids and hydrogen peroxide on Cryptosporidium parvum viability in fruit juices. J. Food Protect. 66: . Lorca, T.A., T.M. Gingerich, M.D. Pierson, G.J. Flick, C.R. Hackney, and S.S. Sumner. 2001. Growth and histamine formation of Morganella morganii in determining the safety and quality of inoculated and uninoculated bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix). J. Food Prot. 64:2015-2019. Raiden, R.M., S.S. Sumner, and M.D. Pierson. 2001. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy: A brief overview. Dairy, Food and Environ. San. 21:685-690. Wright, J.R., S.S. Sumner, C.R. Hackney, M.D. Pierson, and B.W. Zoecklein. 2000. Efficacy of ultraviolet light for reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in unpasteurized apple cider. J. Food Prot. 63:563-567. Wright, J.R., S.S. Sumner, C.R. Hackney, M.D. Pierson, and B.W. Zoecklein. 2000. Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on apples using wash and chemical sanitizers. Dairy, Food and Environ. San. 20:120-126. Wright, J.R., S.S. Sumner, C.R. Hackney, M.D. Pierson, and B.W. Zoecklein. 2000. A survey of Virginia apple cider producers' practices. Dairy, Food and Environ. San. 20:190-195. Richards, K., J. Albrecht, and S. S. Sumner. 2000. Survival and growth of E.coli O157:H7 on broccoli, cucumbers and green peppers. Dairy, Food, and Environ. Sanitation. 20:24-28. Sumner, S. S. and J. Eifert. 2000. Risks and benefits of food additives (pages 30). In: A. L. Branen, P.M. Davidson, and S. Salminen (eds.), Food Additives, 2nd ed. Marcel Decker, New York, NY. Sumner, S. S., and C. N. Cutter. 2000. Application of edible protein-based coatings on meats. In: A. Gennadios (ed.). Protein-based films and coatings. Technomic Publishing Company, Inc., Lancaster, PA. (In press) Yaun, B., S. S. Sumner, S. E. Duncan. 2000. Microbiological methods for dairy products. In: Standard methods for the Examination of Dairy Products. APHA, Washington, DC. (In press) Katta, S. K., S. S. Sumner, M. A. Hanna, and L. B. Bullerman. 1999. Effect of temperature and screw speed on stability of fumonisin B1 (FB1) in extrusion cooked corn grits. Cereal Chemistry. 75:16-20. Castelo, M. M., S. S. Sumner, and L. B. Bullerman. 1998. Occurrence of fumonisins in corn-based food products. J. Food Prot. 61:701-705. Castelo, M. M., S. S. Sumner, and L. B. Bullerman. 1998. Stability of fumonisins in thermally processed products. J. Food Prot. 61:1030-1033. Castelo, M. M., S. K. Katta, S. S. Sumner, M. Hanna, and L. B. Bullerman. 1998. Extrusion cooking reduces recoverability of fumonisin B1 from extruded corn grits. J. Food Sci. 63:996-998. Bell, K. Y., C. N. Cutter, and S. S. Sumner. 1997. Reduction of food borne microorganisms on beef carcass tissue using acetic acid, sodium bicarbonate, and hydrogen peroxide spray washes. Food Micro. 14(5): 439-448. Sumner, S.S. and D.L. Peters. 1997. Microbial Safety of Fresh Vegetables. In: Fresh and Processed Vegetables. Academic Press, San Diego, CA.
Selected Funding Sources:
	USDA/NRICGP Ensure Food Safety USDA Special Food Safety Grant Program USDA/CSREES Integrated Food Safety Purac, Inc. Virginia Agriculture Council