Rate My Professor Si Hong Park

Si Hong Park is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, a position he advanced to following his appointment as Assistant Professor in August 2017. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Food Science at the University of Arkansas from 2013 to 2017. Park earned a B.S. in Food Science and Technology in 2004 and an M.S. in Food Science and Biotechnology in 2006 from Kyung Hee University in South Korea, along with a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Arkansas in 2013. He also holds an Affiliate Professor position at the School of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea. His research program centers on developing food safety initiatives that integrate genomics, metagenomics (microbiome and whole genome sequencing), and transcriptomics through next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics. This includes the detection, identification, and control of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, and E. coli across the supply chain from farms to consumers using molecular techniques. Park examines microbiome dynamics in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans, poultry, cattle, catfish, and experimental animals, assessing microbial diversity amid food and feed supplements like prebiotics, probiotics, and antimicrobials, as well as pathogen challenges, to elucidate host-microbe interactions vital for food safety and quality.

Park maintains a prolific scholarly output with 75 peer-reviewed research papers, 11 review papers, 9 book chapters, and editorial roles for 2 books. Key publications encompass “Microarray detection of food-borne pathogens using specific probes prepared by comparative genomics” (Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2008), “Simultaneous detection and identification of Bacillus cereus group bacteria using multiplex PCR” (Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2007), “Microbial and chemical composition analyses of Cheddar cheese supplemented with prebiotics from raw milk to aging” (Journal of Dairy Science, 2022), “Efficacy of ficin and peroxyacetic acid against Salmonella enterica serovar Thompson biofilm on plastic, eggshell, and chicken skin” (Food Microbiology, 2022), “Growth characterization of Propionibacterium and propionic acid production capabilities at different temperature and pH levels” (Food Science and Biotechnology, 2022), and “Sub-zero saline chilling improved chilling efficiency and bacterial reduction of turkey carcasses” (Poultry Science, 2021). His contributions have garnered awards such as the 2019 Distinguished New Professor of the Year from Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences and the 2018 Young Investigator Grant from the Korean American Scientists and Engineers Association. Since joining OSU, Park has delivered 17 invited talks and organized sessions at the 2018 International Association for Food Protection annual meeting, enhancing his prominence in food safety microbiology.