Revolutionizing Food Safety Through Post-Doctoral Research
About
| Name | Thomas Brenner |
| Title | Post Doctoral Researcher |
| Company | UBC |
| Grad year | 2023 |
| Program | PhD Food Science |
How has your experience as a UBC alum influenced your work?
I had the privilege of engaging regularly with industry, academia, and government during my tenure at UBC. This exposure proved invaluable in shaping my perspective as a researcher and guiding my focus toward impactful issues in food safety.
What were the highlights of university life at LFS and UBC?
The Food Science program has been facilitated my passion for the practical application of microbiology: working with real food matrices and even live animals. Beyond academia, I’ve greatly enjoyed the outdoors with friends while at UBC. Walking, biking, busing, taking the SkyTrain, or even using a boat have proven fun and convenient ways to get out and explore.
What are you currently working on?
During my Ph.D., I researched bacteriophages as an alternative antimicrobial treatment strategy for prevalent foodborne Salmonella in the poultry industry this required the application of numerous molecular and microbiological techniques to characterize bacterial, phage and host features. My ongoing Postdoctoral research has expanded upon this work to include peptide applications to target both NTS and avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). In my postdoctoral research, I’m further investigating how specialized peptide molecules can be engineered to target and neutralize Salmonella and E. coli strains that are harmful to birds and humans.
How did your time in LFS impact you in your career since graduating?
The interdisciplinary education, practical experiences, and mentorship I received provided me with a strong academic foundation and a holistic understanding of food and land systems. This comprehensive perspective has been very helpful for navigating complex challenges, making meaningful connections, and growing professionally.
How do you stay connected to LFS and your alumni community?
I greatly enjoy participating in baseball with the faculty team whenever I get the chance and maintaining connections with friends from the program.
What advice would you give to new students about how to build community at LFS?
I would recommend talking to everyone, being open and positive, and getting involved whenever you can. Extracurricular activities, clubs, committees and events can be a great way to meet new friends and support a thriving and lively community. Networking and forming connections early on can greatly enhance your academic and professional journey; plus it’s just a more enjoyable experience that way too!
And finally, what was your favorite hangout while studying at UBC? Your favorite place to eat?
There is no shortage of great places to study on campus. I liked to move around to keep a fresh atmosphere, but my favourite place to study was always the Irving K Barber Learning Centre. To eat or grab a drink, Koerner’s Pub, Gallery, or Browns were all great places to unwind with friends.