By Scout Nelson
South Dakota State University Ph.D. student and graduate research assistant Vaishali Poswal has earned national recognition for her contributions to dairy safety research and hygienic design. Her work focuses on improving food safety practices and helping the dairy industry better understand and manage harmful pathogens in processing environments.
Vaishali Poswal, a Ph.D. student in the South Dakota State University Department of Dairy and Food Science, recently presented her research at the 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3-A SSI) 2026 Summit on Hygienic Design after receiving the prestigious Dr. Ron Schmidt Student Travel Award.
Growing up in India, Poswal developed an early interest in dairy production and food safety. She completed her bachelor's degree in dairy technology and her master's degree in dairy microbiology at the National Dairy Research Institute before continuing her education at SDSU in the United States.
Her research examines the persistence of Listeria monocytogenes in dairy processing environments. The project explores how environmental bacteria interact with listeria and influence its ability to survive, attach to surfaces, and form biofilms. By using genomic tools, imaging methods, and laboratory testing, Poswal works to identify factors that allow the pathogen to remain in facilities and develop strategies for better control.
“Listeria monocytogenes remains one of the most challenging pathogens for the dairy and ready-to-eat food industries because it can survive in cold, wet processing environments and form persistent biofilms,” said Poswal. “When contamination occurs, it leads to costly recalls, production shutdowns, regulatory scrutiny and, most importantly, severe public health consequences.”
Her adviser, Sanjeev Anand, praised her achievements and the practical value of her research for improving food safety in dairy operations.
The national award enabled Poswal to present her research poster, titled “Phenotypic and Genomic Insights into How Environmental Microflora Influence Listeria in Dairy Processing Environments,” at the Chicago summit. During the event, she connected with industry leaders and attended educational sessions focused on sanitation, hygienic design, employee training, biofilm prevention, and artificial intelligence applications.
“Receiving this award was both an honor and a meaningful milestone in my academic journey,” said Poswal. “It gave me direct exposure to the world of hygienic design, an area that shapes how equipment is built, cleaned and validated for food safety. Being recognized by an organization that sets industry standards strengthened my confidence and connected my research to real-world applications.”
Poswal has also received several additional scholarships for her academic achievements. After completing her Ph.D., she plans to pursue a career focused on risk assessment and food safety management, helping dairy processors adopt science-based practices that protect public health and strengthen consumer confidence.
Additional information about the Department of Dairy and Food Science, including programs and research, can be found on its website.
Photo Credit: south-dakota-state-university
Categories: South Dakota, Education, Livestock, Dairy Cattle