2023-2024 Scholarship Award Winner!

Cyril Nsom Ayuk Etaka is a Ph.D. student in Dr. Laura Strawn’s laboratory at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg – VA. Mr. Etaka is originally from Cameroon, where he obtained a bachelor’s in Agriculture from the University of Buea. He also holds a master’s in Standards and Quality Control of Agricultural Products from the University of Dschang - Cameroon and a master’s in Food Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

Mr. Etaka joined the Strawn lab in the fall of 2021 and his research focuses on fresh produce safety. Specifically, he is investigating the survival of foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella) on different harvest bag material types (canvas, nylon, and cordura). Additionally, he is quantifying the transfer of these pathogens from the previously mentioned harvest bag material types, including leather, to fresh unwaxed apples under different transfer scenarios. He is also working to determine the best antimicrobial interventions that can be readily utilized to decontaminate harvest bags in the field during or after harvest operations. 

Besides his research, Mr. Etaka has written two extension publications on best practices for the safe handling of food items at food pantries. These papers are pending publication and will serve as quick training guides for food pantry workers. In his free time, he loves to cook, work out, and hang out with friends and family.