Teresa Bergholz

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Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition

Lab Website link

Degrees

PhD, Food Science, Michigan State University 2007
BS, Food Science, Michigan State University 2000
BS, Microbiology, Michigan State University 2000

Professional positions

2020-2026 - Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University

2012-2020 - Assistant/Associate Professor, Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University

2007-2012 - Postdoctoral researcher and research associate, Department of Food Science, Cornell University

Research Interests

Characterizing the impact of biotic and abiotic stresses on pathogen behavior in the pre-harvest environment

Identifying the genetic basis for stress resistance phenotypes of foodborne pathogens

Evaluation of steam pasteurization for inactivation of enteric pathogens on low water activity foods

Instructional Activities

FSC 440 - Food Microbiology
FSC 441 - Food Microbiology Laboratory

Recent Publications

Faliarizao, N. T., N. Randriamiarintsoa, T. M. Bergholz, and K. D. Dolan. A Review of Legume Products Food Safety: Bacterial Contamination, Outbreaks, and Traditional and Innovative Mitigation Strategies. 2026. Legume Science.

Nam, J. H., J. O. Owade, N. T. Faliarizao, and T. M. Bergholz. Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Processing Conditions affecting Pathogen Reduction in Dry Fermented Sausages. 2026. Journal of Food Protection 89:100748.

Lin, Y., and T. M. Bergholz. Rifampicin resistant Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli exhibit comparable lactic acid and chlorine stress phenotypes to wild type strains. 2026. Journal of Food Protection 89:100736.

da Rocha Neto, A. C., Y. Li, N. Schinderle, T. M. Bergholz, H. Mulheron, E. J. Mayhew, and E. Almenar. Extending fresh-cut fruit shelf life via novel elevated honeycomb packaging: a study of watermelon. 2026. Food Packaging and Shelf Life 53:101708.

Zeng, H., D. D. Morris, A. Evans, E. Diaz-Santiago, and T. M. Bergholz. Environmental Monitoring for Listeria Species in Controlled Atmosphere Apple Storage Facilities. 2026. Letters in Applied Microbiology 79:2, ovag014.