Nicole Martin

Nicole Martin is an Assistant Research Professor in Dairy Foods Microbiology and Director of the Milk Quality Improvement Program (MQIP) at Cornell University's Department of Food Science within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Her work focuses on dairy microbiology, milk quality, and food safety, bridging farm-to-consumer research to ensure product quality and safety throughout the supply chain. She holds BS (2006), MS (2011), and PhD (2018) degrees in Food Science from Cornell, with minors in microbiology and animal science.

Research Interests: Nicole investigates microbial spoilage mechanisms in dairy products, bacterial spore control strategies, and the impact of farm practices on milk quality. Her work emphasizes reducing contamination risks through interventions like udder hygiene protocols and thermal processing optimizations. Recent studies address emerging challenges such as avian flu persistence in raw milk and bacterial survival in processed dairy products.

• Awarded ADSA Foundation Scholar Award in Dairy Foods (2019)
• Chair of the American Dairy Science Association's Dairy Foods Division
• Section Editor for the Journal of Dairy Science
• Member of the International Association of Food Protection and New York State Association of Food Protection

Labs/Teams: Leads MQIP and collaborates with the Food Safety Laboratory, focusing on applied research and extension programs for the dairy industry. Teaches courses on fluid milk processing, yogurt production, and dairy membrane technology.