Teaching & Mentoring

Courses, workshops, and student mentorship

Teaching Philosophy

I am committed to training the next generation of scientists in agricultural microbiomes and food safety. My teaching emphasizes hands-on laboratory skills, advanced molecular methods, and real-world applications of microbiology. I combine fundamental concepts with cutting-edge techniques including bioinformatics, whole-genome sequencing, and molecular diagnostics.

Courses

PO/ADS 8123: Advanced Techniques in Agricultural Microbiome Analysis

Level: Graduate (Ph.D./M.S.) Credits: 3 Semester: Fall (2024, 2025) Format: Lecture + Laboratory

Description: This advanced graduate course covers cutting-edge computational and molecular methods for analyzing microbiome data in agricultural systems. Students learn bioinformatics, 16S rRNA analysis, shotgun metagenomics, culturomics approaches, and nanopore sequencing-based characterization methods.

Learning Objectives:

  • Design and implement microbiome studies in agricultural and food systems
  • Process and analyze 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequence data using bioinformatics pipelines
  • Apply culturomics approaches for bacterial isolation and characterization
  • Manage large sequencing datasets and implement computational workflows
  • Critically evaluate microbiome literature and experimental designs

Prerequisites: Graduate standing; basic knowledge of microbiology

PO/FNH 4512/6512: Poultry Product Safety & Sanitation

Level: Undergraduate/Graduate Credits: 2 Semester: Spring (2021–2025) Format: Lecture

Description: Comprehensive coverage of food safety principles in poultry production and processing. Topics include HACCP, pathogen control, sanitation procedures, regulatory compliance, and emerging food safety technologies.

Topics Include:

  • HACCP principles and implementation
  • Pathogen biology (Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria, E. coli)
  • Sanitation and antimicrobial interventions
  • FDA/USDA regulatory framework
  • Emerging detection technologies

Prerequisites: Junior standing or instructor permission

PO 4514/6514: Poultry Processing

Level: Undergraduate/Graduate Credits: 3 Semester: Fall 2023 Format: Lecture + Plant Visits

Description: Overview of modern poultry processing operations from live receiving through further processing. Emphasis on food safety integration throughout the production chain.

Topics Include:

  • Processing plant operations and flow
  • Slaughter and evisceration procedures
  • Chilling and antimicrobial treatments
  • Cut-up and deboning operations
  • Quality control and food safety

PO 8990: Molecular Techniques in Poultry Research

Level: Graduate Credits: Variable Semester: Fall (2019, 2022) Format: Laboratory-intensive

Description: Hands-on training in molecular biology techniques commonly used in poultry research. Students gain practical experience with DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, sequencing library preparation, and data analysis.

Learning Objectives:

  • Isolate and identify avian pathogens from chicken tissues and environmental samples.
  • DNA/RNA extraction from diverse sample types
  • Conventional and real-time PCR optimization
  • Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of antimicrobial resistance in avian pathogens
  • Avian immune response analysis

Guest Lectures

I regularly provide guest lectures in courses across departments:

Course Topic Department
PO 4033 Diseases of Poultry Bacterial pathogens Poultry Science
ADS 4993/6993 Animal Microbiome Measuring and interpreting microbiome Animal & Dairy Sciences
FNH 8773 Human Microbiome and Health Microbiome analysis methods Food Science, Nutrition & Health Promotion
CVM 8973 Scientific Writing Manuscript preparation Basic Sciences (Participating instructor 2020–2025)

Mentoring

Current Graduate Students (Major Advisor)

Student Program Research Topic Expected Graduation
Sunita Shrestha Ph.D. Pathogen genomics 2027
Manhong Wang Ph.D. Culturomics & gut microbiome 2026
Haley Nabors M.S. C. perfringens AMR 2027

Graduate Committee Service

I currently serve or have served on 35+ graduate committees across multiple departments including Poultry Science, Food Science, Animal and Dairy Sciences, and Basic Sciences.

Alumni Placement

Ph.D. Graduates (Major Advisor)

  • Dr. Diksha Pokhrel (2024) → Industry position
  • Dr. Hudson T. Thames (2024) → Faculty position
  • Dr. Sabin Poudel (2023) → Faculty position
  • Dr. Linan Jia (2021) → Faculty position

M.S. Graduates (Major Advisor)

  • Rita Ugoh (2026) → Industry position
  • Hailey Fugate (2025) → Industry position
  • Abubakar Isah (2024) → Ph.D. program
  • Priyanka Devkota (2022) → Research position
  • Deepa Chaudhary (2022) → Postdoc position
  • Tianmin Li (2020) → Ph.D. program

Undergraduate Researchers

  • Mackenzie Ripper → Veterinary School, NC State (2024)
  • Mary Beth Tingle → 1st place, MSU Undergraduate Research Symposium (2023)
  • Dylan Lesak → M.S. at MSU (completed 2023)
  • Multiple students → Ph.D. and M.S. programs

Student Awards

My students have received numerous awards and scholarships:

Year Student Award
2026 Sunita Shrestha Best Oral Presentation Award (SCAD), IPSF
2026 Manhong Wang Certificate of Excellence in Pathology, IPSF; IPSF Travel Award
2025 Sunita Shrestha Lallemand Animal Nutrition Scholarship Finalist
2025 Manhong Wang International Paper Scholarship, Mississippi Poultry Association
2025 Hailey Fugate SCAD Travel Award for IPSF; IPPE Travel Award, Southern Ag Credit
2024 Manhong Wang International Paper Scholarship, Mississippi Poultry Association
2024 Diksha Pokhrel IPPE Travel Award, Southern Ag Credit
2024 Jiddu Joseph AAAP Scholarship
2023 Diksha Pokhrel IFT Mid-South Section Scholarship; PSA Travel Award, BankPlus
2023 Hudson T. Thames PSA Travel Award, BankPlus
2023 Sabin Poudel MAFES Excellent Research Award; CALS Student Research Ambassador
2023 Mary Beth Tingle 1st place, Biological Sciences, MSU Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium
2022 Sabin Poudel PSA Student of The Year
2022 Deepa Chaudhary PSA Certificate of Excellence in Genetics and Molecular Biology; Travel Award, BankPlus
2022 Priyanka Devkota PSA Certificate of Excellence in Immunology, Health and Disease; International Paper Scholarship 1st place
2022 Sabin Poudel International Paper Scholarship 2nd place, Mississippi Poultry Association
2021 Sabin Poudel PSA Certificate of Excellence in Genetics and Molecular Biology; International Paper Scholarship 1st place
2019 Tianmin Li International Paper Scholarship 2nd place; IPSF Southern Agricultural Travel Award

Mentoring Philosophy

My approach to mentoring includes:

  1. Individual Development Plans (IDPs) — All graduate students create and regularly update career development plans
  2. Weekly one-on-one meetings — Regular meetings to discuss research progress and challenges
  3. Professional development — Support for conference attendance, scientific writing, and career exploration
  4. Hands-on training — As a molecular biologist, I personally train students in laboratory techniques
  5. Collaborative environment — Lab members support each other and contribute to departmental activities
  6. Work-life balance — Expectations that respect personal well-being

Laboratory Training

I provide hands-on training to graduate students throughout the department in molecular biology techniques including:

  • DNA/RNA extraction and purification
  • PCR, qPCR, and LAMP assay development
  • Sequencing library preparation
  • Bioinformatics analysis

Resources for Students

Useful Tools

Questions about courses or interested in research opportunities? See our opportunities page or contact me directly.

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