Carine Nkemngong, PhD

Carine Nkemngong has a PhD in food microbiology from Purdue University. She earned an MS in Crop Protection from the University of Buea-Cameroon and worked as an R&D Officer for Herakles Farms Cameroon. She was accepted into the Purdue graduate program to earn her PhD in Food Science, studying with Dr. Haley Oliver. Her significant contributions to science include: innovating a rapid method for disinfectant efficacy testing against dry surface biofilms and closing gaps in the use of disinfectant wipes. Within three years of active research work in the US, Carine has authored six scientific publications. Internationally, she has served on USAID projects in Afghanistan, Nigeria, Cambodia and Bangladesh, tackling food safety related issues and the development and implementation of the USAID’s pioneer Food Safety Innovation Lab (FSIL). During her PhD studies, she earned a $120,000 USDA-NIFA pre-doctoral fellowship for outstanding PhD candidates, won the healthcare poster competition at Purdue University, and earned the prestigious Certificate in Practice of College Teaching. Carine joined the Diversey team in January of 2021 as a Sr. Scientist-Food Safety Expert. She has primary responsibility to support Diversey and its customers with microbiological and food safety expertise. She was been actively participating in delivering high quality food safety support to Diversey’s customers through onsite visits, sanitation crew coaching, and science-based approaches to troubleshooting customer sanitation concerns. Carine has wide experience working with bacterial biofilms and bacterial spores. She is passionate about changing the food safety landscape through science-driven approaches.