Graduate students are alphabetized by last name.

Francesca Asigiri
M.S. Student


Francesca Asigiri

Francisca Asigri joined FARRP in the fall of 2023. She received her B.Sc. in biochemistry from the University for Development Studies-Ghana in 2019. She is currently pursuing her M.S in food science under the supervision of Dr. Melanie Downs and Dr. Joseph Baumert.
Jerry Kahu
Ph.D. Student


graduate student Jerry Kahu
Jerry Kahu

Jerry Kahu joined FARRP in the spring of 2024 to pursue a doctoral degree in food science and technology under the supervision of Dr. Melanie Downs and Dr. Phil Johnson. He received his B.S in biochemistry (2010) and M.S. in nutrition (2017) from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria. Before joining FARRP, he worked with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria.
Maggie Pandis
M.S. Student

photo of Maggie Pandis
Maggie Pandis

Maggie Pandis joined FARRP in the Fall of 2020 to pursue an M.S. in Food Science and Technology under the supervision of Dr. Melanie Downs and Dr. Phil Johnson. She holds an ACS certified Chemistry degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (2014) and a Finance degree from Creighton University (2008). Maggie has been employed with Conagra Brands for the past 8 years and works as a Chemist within the Analytical & Applied Sciences team.
Sara Schlange
Ph.D. Student

photo of Sara Schlange
Sara Schlange

Sara Schlange joined FARRP in 2020 after receiving her B.S. in biology from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. She earned her M.S. in food science and technology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2022. She is now pursuing her doctoral degree under the supervision of Dr. Melanie Downs and Dr. Joe Baumert.
Ellenor Sell
M.S. Student


Ellenor Sell

Ellenor Sell joined FARRP in the spring of 2023. She received her B.S. in food science from UNL in 2022. Ellenor is currently pursuing an M.S. degree in food science under the direction of Dr. Phil Johnson.
Liyun Zhang
Ph.D. Student

photo of Liyun Zhang
Liyun Zhang

Liyun Zhang joined FARRP in 2020 to pursue her doctoral degree under the supervision of Dr. Melanie Downs and Dr. Phil Johnson, focusing on the proteomics of allergenic foods. She received her M.S. in food science and technology from Illinois Institute of Technology in 2019.
Zhenhao Wang
M.S. Student


graduate student zhenhao wang
Zhenhao Wang

Zhenhao Wang joined FARRP in the fall of 2023, having completed a dual-degree program and earning his B.S. in food science and technology from both the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwest A&F University in 2023. He is currently advancing his studies towards an M.S. in food science, guided by Dr. Melanie Downs and Dr. Philip Johnson.

Updated 12 April, 2024