Taya Tang

Taya Tang is a PhD Fellow and External Researcher in the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. Her research focuses on veterinary clinical microbiology with emphasis on bacterial genomics, antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, and ecological distribution of food- and environment-associated bacteria.

Her primary research areas include veterinary microbiology, food safety, and bacterial genomics, with specific expertise in lactic acid bacteria (Lactococcus, Weissella, Carnobacterium), pathogenic species (Listeria, Staphylococcus aureus), and their interactions in diverse ecosystems. She employs advanced genomic techniques to investigate bacterial adaptation in freshwater habitats, historical food cultures, and retail food systems, addressing critical questions in microbial ecology and food preservation.

Analysis of her eight publications (2021-2025) reveals consistent focus on bacterial genome characterization and antimicrobial activity assessment. Her work spans environmental microbiology (studying river, bog, and swamp ecosystems), food microbiology (including ancient starter cultures and contemporary retail foods), and novel antimicrobial delivery systems. Key recurring themes include bacteriocin functionality, genomic basis of environmental adaptation, and antimicrobial resistance profiling in zoonotic pathogens.

Dr. Tang maintains extensive collaborations with J.J. Leisner's research group and international partners across Iceland, China, and multiple European institutions. She actively contributes to the Veterinary Clinical Microbiology unit at the University of Copenhagen, where her work bridges veterinary science, environmental monitoring, and food safety applications through cutting-edge genomic approaches.