Dr. Janie Moore | Molecular Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award 

Assistant Professor, at Texas A&M AgriLife Research, United States.

Dr. Janie McClurkin Moore is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University. She has been in this role since 2017, contributing to research, teaching, and service in post-harvest engineering and food safety. With expertise in treatment technologies such as atmospheric cold plasma, ozone, and nanoparticles, Dr. Moore focuses on improving the physical and microbiological properties of food and feed products. She actively mentors students and collaborates with industry professionals to enhance research impact. Her commitment to integrating technology in teaching has earned her recognition, including the Montague-CTE Teaching Award. Dr. Moore’s research has been published in leading journals, contributing to advancements in food engineering and safety.

Professional Profile

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Education

Dr. Moore earned her Ph.D. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Purdue University in 2015 under the mentorship of Dr. Klein Ileleji. She also obtained her M.S. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Purdue in 2009, advised by Dr. Dirk Maier. Prior to that, she completed her B.S. in Bio-Environmental Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University in 2006, graduating summa cum laude. Her academic journey provided her with a strong foundation in food safety, post-harvest engineering, and agricultural innovations. Her research during graduate studies focused on improving food storage and processing technologies, laying the groundwork for her current work in post-harvest engineering and treatment technologies.

Professional Experience

Dr. Moore has been a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University since 2017, where she also holds courtesy appointments in Interdisciplinary Engineering and is a Faculty Affiliate at the Institute for Engineering Education and Innovation. She is also a Faculty Expert at the TEES Texas A&M Energy Institute. Before joining Texas A&M, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow at California University of Pennsylvania from 2015 to 2017, where she conducted research in biology and environmental studies. In her current role, she dedicates 45% of her time to research, 45% to teaching, and 10% to service, contributing to various interdisciplinary projects and mentoring graduate students.

Research Interests

Dr. Moore’s research focuses on post-harvest engineering and food safety, particularly in developing innovative treatment technologies. She specializes in atmospheric cold plasma, ozone treatment, and nanoparticle applications for improving food and feed quality. Her work explores shelf-life extension, microbial decontamination, and the physical and microbiological properties of agricultural products. Dr. Moore is also interested in the pedagogy of engineering education, working on improving instructional methods and student engagement in engineering courses. Through collaborations with industry and academia, she seeks to advance sustainable food processing methods and enhance agricultural product safety.

Awards

Dr. Moore has received several accolades throughout her career. She was honored with the Montague-CTE Teaching Award for her contributions to student learning and curriculum development at Texas A&M University. Her research excellence has been recognized through multiple grants and fellowships, supporting her work in food safety and post-harvest engineering. She has also been acknowledged for her mentorship, particularly in guiding underrepresented minority students in STEM fields. Her active involvement in professional organizations and contributions to engineering education further highlight her impact in academia and industry.

Top Noted Publications

Dr. Moore has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles in the field of post-harvest engineering and food safety. Some of her notable publications include:

• Kirk-Bradley et al. (2024) – Plasma Effects on DNA Endoreplication

  • Journal: Plasma Processes and Polymers
  • DOI: 10.1002/ppap.202400117
  • Summary: This study investigates how cold atmospheric-pressure plasma affects DNA endoreplication in Callosobruchus maculatus (cowpea weevil). Using rapid flow cytometry, the authors evaluate alterations in DNA content, potentially linking plasma treatment to genetic or developmental changes.

• Kirk-Bradley et al. (2024) – Plasma-Induced Mortality in Sitophilus oryzae

  • Journal: Crop Protection
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2024.106685
  • Summary: This research assesses the impact of cold plasma treatment on populations of Sitophilus oryzae (rice weevil). The study examines mortality rates and possible mechanisms behind plasma-induced insecticidal effects.

• Habib et al. (2022) – Heavy Metal Detoxification Using Cold Plasma

  • Journal: Biomolecules
  • DOI: 10.3390/biom12070913
  • Summary: The study explores a hybrid approach combining absorption techniques and high-voltage atmospheric cold plasma to reduce heavy metal toxicity in milk and water. The research also considers potential rheological changes due to treatment.

• Mahanta et al. (2022) – Plasma Treatment on Soybean Germination and Heavy Metal Uptake

  • Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
  • DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031611
  • Summary: This study examines how high-voltage atmospheric cold plasma treatment affects soybean (Glycine max) seed germination and its ability to absorb heavy metals. The findings suggest plasma treatment may influence plant growth and metal uptake dynamics.

Conclusion

Dr. Moore is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her contributions in post-harvest engineering, food safety, and engineering education. Her research is innovative, practical, and well-aligned with pressing global challenges. Strengthening publication volume, grant expansion, and international collaborations could further enhance her eligibility for top-tier research awards.