Department of Nutrition

  

   Dr. David G. Nyachuba

 

Assistant Professor

UMass Extension

NEP Program Leader for Food Safety

Telephone: (413) 545-0552

Fax:            (413) 545-1074

Email:         dgn@nutrition.umass.edu 

Campus Address:   204 Chenoweth Laboratory

 

Education:

• Ph.D. in Food Microbiology, University of Vermont
• M.S. in Food Science & Technology, Ghent University, Belgium
• B.S. in Food Science & Technology, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Research Interests:

• My research includes projects to assist residential child care institutions (RCCI) in the development and implementation of a HACCP-based food safety plan and the development and implementation of a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training and certification program for fruit and vegetable growers in Massachusetts. Results of these studies will help in the development of training programs for staff, children, and growers. In the lab, I study foodborne pathogenic bacteria with an emphasis on Listeria monocytogenes.

Recent Refereed Publications:

• Nyachuba, D.G., C.W. Donnelly, and A. B. Howard. 2007. Impact of Nitrite on Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in Selected Ready-To-Eat (RTE) Meat and Seafood Products. J. Food Science. 72:M267-75.

• Nyachuba, D.G. and C. W. Donnelly. 2007. Comparison of 3M™Petrifilm™ Environmental Listeria Plates versus Standard Enrichment Methods for the Detection of Listeria monocytogenes of Epidemiological Significance from Environmental Surfaces. J. Food Science. 72:M356-54.

Book Chapters:

• Donnelly, C.W. and D.G. Nyachuba. 2007. Conventional Methods to detect and Isolate Listeria monocytogenes. In E.T. Ryser and E.H. Marth (ed.) Listeria, Listeriosis, and Food Safety. Third Edition. Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, NY.

• Nyachuba, D. and C. Donnelly. 2005. Sublethal Injury, Pathogen Virulence and Adaptation. Chapter 7. p.152-198. In M. Griffiths (ed.), Understanding Pathogen Behavious. Woodhead Publishing Ltd., Cambridge, England.

Selected Abstracts (National and International Meetings):

• Nyachuba, D.G. Groves, E., and Donnelly, C.W. "Comparison of 3M™ Petrifilm™ Environmental Listeria Plates vs. Standard Enrichment Methods for the Detection of Listeria monocytogenes of Epidemiological Significance from Environmental Surfaces." ISOPOL XVI: 16th International Symposium on Problems of Listeriosis - March 20-23, 2007 - Savannah, GA U.S.A.: Assn. of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) 2007. Abstract # P58.

• David Nyachuba. The Safety of Our Food Supply: The Challenges of the Producer, Industry, Government, Academia, the Food Safety Professional, and the Consumer, Today. Massachusetts Dietetic Association. 2007 Annual Nutrition Convention & Exposition - April 30-May 1. 2007 - Marlborough, MA U.S.A., LNC: 2080, 4070, 7190, 8040 1 CPE.

• Nyachuba, D.G. and C.W. Donnelly. 2006. Impact of Nitrite on Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in Selected Ready-To-Eat (RTE) Meat and Seafood Products. Abstr.# T6 07. 93rd International Association of Food protection (IAFP) Annual Meeting. Calgary, Alberta, Cadada.

• Groves,E., D.G. Nyachuba, and C.W. Donnelly. 2006. Comparison of 3M™ Petrifilm™ Environmental Listeria Plates with Selective Enrichment Methods for the Detection and Recovery of Listeria monocytogenes on Environmental Surfaces.  Abst. #B-65. 2006 FDA Science Forum. Washington, DC.

Current Grants:

• Nyachuba, D.G., Neves, P. and  Brennan Olson, R. “Food Protection Task Force Conference Grant.” Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 09/01/08-06/31/13.

• Nyachuba, D.G. and Bonanno R. (Co-PIs). "Development and Implementation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Training and Certification Program for Fruit and Vegetable Growers in Massachusetts." Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), Agricultural Innovation Center, 07/01/08-06/30/10.

• Nyachuba, D.G. and McLandsborough L. (Co-PIs of Subcontract with University of Rhode Island). "Food Safety Education to Assist Residential Childcare Institutions (RCCI) in the Development and Implementation of a HACCP-based Food Safety Plan." USDA-CSREES, 09/01/07-08/31/10.

Outreach/Extension Activities:

• I am Director of UMass Extension Food Safety Education Program, whose mission is to help prevent foodborne illness in Massachusetts through educational programs that address control of foodborne pathogens throughout the food chain from farm to table.

Teaching:

• I teach food safety courses including ServSafe® Food Safety, HACCP, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Food Safety for Fruit and Vegetable Growers and Other Fresh Produce Handlers, Food Safety for Family Day Care Providers, and Food Safety for Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCI’s).