Steve Flint, Ph.D.
Massey University Palmerston N., New Zealand
Candidate for the Council on Microbial Sciences
Professor in Food Microbiology and Safety, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Education:
Steve started his career as a veterinary pharmaceutical microbiologist, developing vaccines for farm animals. This lead to specialist research in the area of Leptospira.
Steve then moved to the dairy industry, working at the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, which later became the Fonterra Research Institute where he worked as a research microbiologist, solving microbiological contamination issues in dairy manufacturing plant. It was there that Steve developed his interest in biofilms which became a specialist area of research that continues today in his role at Massey University. He really enjoys teaching along with his passion for science. He continues to develop his research in the fascinating world of biofilms (the origin of most microbial problems in food) and dairy microbiology. His research team consists of 10 PhD students investigating various aspects of biofilm development and control. In 2015, his team was involved in publishing a book “Biofilms in the Dairy Industry” which covers 15 years of biofilm research. His team was awarded the Massey University Team Research Award in 2017. He has published 142 journal articles, 20 book chapters and given 177 conference presentations.
He has been invited to present his work at several international conferences including:
Steve served on the Institute of Food Technology (IFT) review board from 2011-2014. This role involved assessing the teaching programs for food degrees at international universities for their IFT approved status.
Steve is a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology.
He is a member of the International Association of Food Protection, reflecting his interest in food safety.
This ASM council position involves promoting the international reach of the ASM and Steve is ideally placed to help with this, being based in New Zealand with colleagues in many different countries. He spends 6 weeks each year teaching food microbiology in Singapore.
Steve is aware of the international respect of the ASM through conferences and journal publications. Although this is a US based organization, it already has significant international reach that should be easy to grow.
Steve’s experience in many different aspects of microbiology, including veterinary and food microbiology, an applied focus through industry employment and now a strong academic background in a university environment, provide him with a depth of experience to contribute to the ASM.
Back to Ballot
Professor in Food Microbiology and Safety, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Education:
- 1999 - PhD Food Technology, Massey University
- 1988 - MSc Veterinary Microbiology, Massey University
- 1979 - Management Diploma, New Zealand Institute of Management
- 1977 - BSc Microbiology, Massey University
- 2017 - Professor and Post Graduate Director, School of Food and Advanced Technology, Massey University.
- 2013 - Professor in Food Safety and Microbiology, Massey University
- 2008 - 2013 Professor, Massey University
- 1988 - 2008 Research Technologist/Senior Research Technologist, New Zealand Dairy Research Institute/Fonterra Research Centre
- 1977 - 1988 Research Officer, Coopers Animal Health, Ltd.
- 2015-Present, New Zealand Ambassador for ASM
- 2000, 2007 & 2015 - Participated in ASM biofilm conferences – Montana, Quebec City and Chicago.
- 142 Scientific Journal Articles
- 20 book chapters
- Biofilms in the food industry
- Food safety (Listeria, Yersinia enterocolitica, Aflatoxin
- Dairy microbiology
- Food spoilage (Enzyme production and heat resistance)
- Spore formation and heat resistance
Steve started his career as a veterinary pharmaceutical microbiologist, developing vaccines for farm animals. This lead to specialist research in the area of Leptospira.
Steve then moved to the dairy industry, working at the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, which later became the Fonterra Research Institute where he worked as a research microbiologist, solving microbiological contamination issues in dairy manufacturing plant. It was there that Steve developed his interest in biofilms which became a specialist area of research that continues today in his role at Massey University. He really enjoys teaching along with his passion for science. He continues to develop his research in the fascinating world of biofilms (the origin of most microbial problems in food) and dairy microbiology. His research team consists of 10 PhD students investigating various aspects of biofilm development and control. In 2015, his team was involved in publishing a book “Biofilms in the Dairy Industry” which covers 15 years of biofilm research. His team was awarded the Massey University Team Research Award in 2017. He has published 142 journal articles, 20 book chapters and given 177 conference presentations.
He has been invited to present his work at several international conferences including:
- The American Dairy Science Association conference – Pittsburgh, 2017
- The International Biofilm Summit, Lisbon, 2017
- China International Food Safety and Quality Conference, Beijing, 2017
- 2nd International Food Research Conference, Malaysia 2019.
Steve served on the Institute of Food Technology (IFT) review board from 2011-2014. This role involved assessing the teaching programs for food degrees at international universities for their IFT approved status.
Steve is a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology.
He is a member of the International Association of Food Protection, reflecting his interest in food safety.
This ASM council position involves promoting the international reach of the ASM and Steve is ideally placed to help with this, being based in New Zealand with colleagues in many different countries. He spends 6 weeks each year teaching food microbiology in Singapore.
Steve is aware of the international respect of the ASM through conferences and journal publications. Although this is a US based organization, it already has significant international reach that should be easy to grow.
Steve’s experience in many different aspects of microbiology, including veterinary and food microbiology, an applied focus through industry employment and now a strong academic background in a university environment, provide him with a depth of experience to contribute to the ASM.
Back to Ballot