Yifan Cheng

Yifan Cheng is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech. Their research focuses on improving food safety, quality, and sustainability through advanced material engineering. Key areas include antimicrobial nanostructures for packaging, food waste valorization via immobilized enzymes, AI-driven packaging design, and active/intelligent packaging systems. The lab, known as the Cheng Nano Lab, emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to surface engineering and material-microbe interactions.

Educational Background

• Ph.D., Food Science, Cornell University, 2017
• B.S., Food Science, Cornell University, 2012
• B.S., Plant Science & Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2012

Research Interests

Cheng’s work integrates nanotechnology, AI, and material science to address critical challenges in food packaging and safety. The lab’s mission is to leverage material-microbe-food interface science to reduce food loss, enhance packaging performance, and valorize food waste. Current projects include developing antimicrobial coatings, optimizing enzyme immobilization for waste conversion, and AI-guided material discovery.

Laboratory and Team

The Cheng Nano Lab fosters a diverse, inclusive environment for innovation. Open to postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates, the lab emphasizes collaborative research and professional development. Funding sponsors include USDA NIFA and industry partnerships.