Rate My Professor Ian Ross

Ian Ross is the Head Technician in the Department of Food Science at the University of Otago. He holds a BSc and an MSc in Biochemistry from the University of Otago. His MSc research focused on the secreted proteinase of Candida albicans, as reflected in his early publication "Evidence for a Role for Secreted Aspartate Proteinase of Candida albicans in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis." Ross's career at the University of Otago began as a Research Associate in the Department of Biochemistry, serving from January 1989 to October 1997. In his current position, he manages technical operations across teaching and research laboratories, oversees safety and compliance, and coordinates operational aspects to support food science initiatives.

With a strong foundation in biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, and laboratory compliance, Ross contributes significantly to food safety applications, promoting safe practices, waste reduction, and enhanced supply chain outcomes. He has provided essential technical support for diverse research projects, including pulsed electric field processing for microbial inactivation, fermentation optimization, mycotoxin decontamination, lipidomics, aroma characterization, and antioxidant analysis, as acknowledged in multiple doctoral theses and peer-reviewed papers from the department. As a co-author on 23 publications with 1,429 citations, his key works include "Effect of pulsed electric field with moderate heat (80°C) on inactivation, thermal resistance and differential gene expression in B. cereus spores" (2020), "The role of bone morphogenetic proteins 2, 4, 6 and 7 during ovarian follicular development in sheep: Contrast to rat" (2006), "Investigation of the Booroola (FecB) and Inverdale (FecXI) mutations in 21 prolific breeds and strains of sheep sampled in 13 countries" (2006), "DNA tests in prolific sheep from eight countries provide new evidence on origin of the Booroola (FecB) mutation" (2002), and "Highly Prolific Booroola Sheep Have a Mutation in the Intracellular Kinase Domain of Bone Morphogenetic Protein IB Receptor (ALK-6) That Is Expressed in Both Oocytes and Granulosa Cells" (2001). Through his expertise and leadership, Ian Ross has profoundly influenced laboratory capabilities and research productivity in food science at the University of Otago.