Rate My Professor Steve Flint

Professor Steve Flint is Professor of Food Safety and Microbiology in the School of Food Technology and Natural Sciences at Massey University, Manawatu campus. He earned his Bachelor of Science in 1977, Master of Science in 1988, and Doctor of Philosophy in 1999, all from Massey University. His career began as a Senior Research Technologist with the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute and Fonterra, where he spent 20 years specializing in dairy microbiology, including problem-solving in food safety and spoilage, and evaluating rapid microbial analysis methods. He also conducted veterinary pharmaceutical research for Coopers Animal Health. Joining Massey University in 2008, he leads a research team focused on food microbiology, particularly biofilm development and control, spore formation in dairy thermophilic bacteria, flow cytometry for microbial testing, histamine food poisoning, mycotoxins in seafood, bacterial acid tolerance, and pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. His research addresses real-world problems in food production through collaborations with industry partners like Fonterra and institutions including Plant & Food Research, AgResearch, University of Otago, and international universities.

Professor Flint has supervised 35 PhD completions as main supervisor and maintains a group of around 10 doctoral students, producing approximately 12 journal publications annually. Key publications include 'Bacterial fouling in dairy processing' (International Dairy Journal, 2020), 'Magnesium and calcium ions: roles in bacterial cell attachment and biofilm structure maturation' (Biofouling, 2019), 'Biofilms in dairy manufacturing plant - Description, current concerns and methods of control' (Biofouling, 1997), and recent works such as 'Shear stress adaptation of Listeria monocytogenes in mono and dual-species biofilms' (Food Research International, 2025) and 'The effect of variations in cold plasma conditions on the detoxification of Aflatoxin M1 and degradation products' (International Dairy Journal, 2025). He edited 'Biofilms in the Dairy Industry' (2015) and has presented at conferences including the International Biofilm Summit and New Zealand Microbiological Society events. Awards include the Massey University Individual Research Medal (2025), New Zealand Microbiological Society Distinguished Orator Award (2021), Massey University Team Research Award (2017), College of Health Supervisor Award (2015), Institute of Food Technology Certified Food Scientist (2013), and Fellowship in the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology (2011). He teaches food technology degrees in New Zealand and Singapore.