Robson A. M. Machado

Robson A. M. Machado is an Associate Extension Professor and Food Science Specialist at the University of Maine's School of Food and Agriculture and Cooperative Extension. He focuses on bridging academic research with practical food industry applications, particularly in food safety and microbiology. His roles involve statewide support for farmers, food entrepreneurs, and processors in Maine, aiding them in regulatory compliance and safe food commercialization.

Education: PhD in Food Science (2016) from The Pennsylvania State University.

Research Interests

Machado’s work centers on food microbiology, food safety protocols, and extension programs. He specializes in training stakeholders on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), including the Produce Safety Rule, and evaluates sanitation practices in dairy and farm-to-market contexts. He emphasizes low-tech and smartphone-based solutions for data collection and observational studies to improve food handling standards in direct-to-consumer environments like farmers’ markets and cheesemaking facilities.

Publications Trends

His recent articles (2015–2018) highlight innovations in food safety training methodologies for niche industries (e.g., cheesemakers) and the use of technology (e.g., smartphone apps) to assess food handling practices. They also reflect collaboration with institutions like the Pennsylvania State University and Rhode Island partners.

Advising & Grants

Machado advises on food safety regulations and operational best practices through his extension role but no formal student advisees or grant details are listed in the provided text.

Labs & Teams

He is affiliated with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the School of Food and Agriculture, working closely with industry partners and academic researchers to implement food safety initiatives.