Nicole Leanne Arnold
nlarnold@vt.edu
(919) 606-4034
Current Address: 335 Sheliah Court – Blacksburg, VA 24060 Home Address: 10808 Warren Pond Court – Raleigh, NC 27614
Education
GPA: 3.8
Doctor of Philosophy of Life Science, Food Science and Technology (in progress)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Dissertation: Consumer Perceptions of Waterless Non-Thermal Processes Used to Enhance the Safety and Quality of Fresh Produce and Low-Moisture Foods
Research Advisor: Dr. Renee Boyer
Master of Science, Food Science
Minor, Agricultural and Extension Education
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Expected Graduation August 2016
Thesis: Assessment of Risk Communication and Food Safety Messages Associated with High-risk Foods
Research Advisor: Dr. Benjamin Chapman
Bachelor of Science, Food Science- Technology Concentration
Minor, Agricultural Business Management
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Graduated May 2014
Professional Experience
Research Assistant, barfblog News Team, Raleigh, NC
October 2013 – July 2016
- Media analysis, compilation, and distribution
STEC-CAP Intern, United States Department of Agriculture Eastern Regional Research Center, Wyndmoor, PA
June 2015 – August 2015
- Determined fate of Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in marinade and brine used in vacuum tumbling
- Determined fate of Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) using cleaning and sanitation techniques for equipment used to mechanically tenderize beef products
Entrepreneurial Program Technician, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
March 2012 – May 2014
- Provided food entrepreneurs with food analysis and technical services
- Maintained detailed records of entrepreneurs’ food products
- Performed standardized product testing (i.e. utilizing a pH meter and water activity meter) in support of developing process authority letters for acidified food products and water activity testing letters for entrepreneurs
Lab Assistant, Howling Cow, Raleigh, NC
May 2012 – May 2014
- Conducted microbiological testing on raw and pasteurized dairy samples
- Carried out fat analysis with CEM Smart Trac on milk, cream, and ice cream products to be sold at retail
Technical Presentations
- Arnold, N., Cope, Sarah; Overdiep III, Jacques L. A. ; Rupert, Christopher L.; Simmons, Otto; Chapman, Benjamin J. International Association for Food Protection Conference: “Knowledge and Risk Communication for Undercooked Oyster Preparation in Restaurants” in St. Louis, MO, July 2016
- Yang, , Duong, M., Chapman, B., Archibald, T., Williams, R., Schroeder, Matt., Arnold, N., Boyer, R. International Associated for Food Protection Conference: “Use of Focus Groups to Assess Consumer Knowledge and Behaviors Related to Safe Handling of Mechanically Tenderized and Enhanced Beef Products” in St. Louis, MO, July 2016
- Arnold, N., Feist, S., Chapman, B. International Association for Food Protection Conference: “An Environmental Scan of Food Safety Educational Initiatives Targeted at Consumers in the United States” in Portland, OR, July 2015
Poster Presentations
- Arnold, N., Rupert, Christopher L.1; Overdiep III, Jacques L. A. 1; Yavelak, Mary K.1; Cope, Sarah2; Porter, Kinsey1; Boyer, Renee3; Chapman, Benjamin J.. International Association for Food Protection Conference: “Prevalence and Conditions of Mechanical Tenderization and Enhancement of Beef at Independent Meat Retailers in Wake County, North Carolina” in Louis, MO, July 2016
- Arnold, N., Shane, L., Dluzneski, A., Holinka, S., Luchanksy, J., Porto-Fett, A., Shoyer, B. STEC CAP Annual Conference: “Fate of Shiga-Toxin Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in Marinade and Brine used in Vacuum Tumbling and Fate of Shiga-Toxin Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) Using Cleaning and Sanitation Techniques for Equipment Used to Mechanically Tenderize Beef Products” in Lincoln, Nebraska, June 2016
- Yang, L., Duong, M., Archibald, T., Chapman, B., Arnold, N., Williams, R., Boyer, R. Virginia Tech Food Science Department Poster Session: “Preliminary Assessment of Consumer Knowledge and Behavior Related to Safe Handling of Beef Products” in Blacksburg, VA, April 2015
- Kaufman, A., Giedraitis, K., Arnold, N., Dieck, S., Shaw, T. North Carolina State University Undergraduate Research Symposium: “Exploring Nutrient Retention in Alternative Pasteurization Methods of Human Milk” in Raleigh, NC, April 2014
Manuscripts in Preparation
- Arnold, N., Feist, S., Chapman, B. (2016) “An Environmental Scan of Food Safety Educational Initiatives Targeted at Consumers in the United States”
Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Food Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
January – May 2015
- Attended weekly meetings to create lecture content and quiz questions
- Assisted with demonstration preparation for multiple class sections
- Graded all homework and classwork assignments
Academic Tutor, Corral Riding Academy, Cary, NC
September 2015 – July 2016
- Assist middle school to high school age females on classwork, homework, and projects
- Serve as an academic mentor for tutoring mentee (i.e. communicating with teachers, checking assignment completion, working through academic barriers, etc.)
Guest Lectures
- Extension Master Gardener Meeting: “Implementing Good Agriculture Practices in School and Community Gardens” in Smithfield, NC, March 2016
- BBQ Boot Camp Extension Program: “Meat Safety” in Fletcher, NC, August 2015
- BBQ Boot Camp Extension Program: “Meat Safety” in Tarboro, NC, May 2015
- Woods Charter School Biology Class: “Introduction to Food Science and Foodborne Pathogens” in Chapel Hill, NC, April 2015
- National Food Safety Education Conference Breakout Session: “Environmental Scan of Food Safety Educational Initiatives Targeted at Consumers in the United States” in Arlington, VA, December 2014
Certifications & Memberships
- Conference for Food Protection, 2016-2017
- International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), 2014-2017
- Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), 2010-2017
- Better Process Control School Operating Supervisor Certificate, 2013
- Sanitation Supervisors Training Certificate, 2013
- Six Sigma White Belt, January 2013
Activities
- Student Professional Development Group Chair, IAFP, 2016-2017
- Industry Representative, Virginia Tech Food Science Club, 2016-2017
- Student Professional Development Group Vice Chair, IAFP, 2015-2016
- Phi Tau Sigma Honor Society, IFT, 2015-2016
- North Carolina Triangle Alumnae Club, Pi Beta Phi Sorority, 2014-2016
- Quality Assurance Division Student Representative and Secretary, IFT, 2014-2016
- Food Industry Study Tour, North Carolina State University, March 10-14, 2014
- Omega Phi Alpha, North Carolina State University Service Sorority, 2011-2014
- Active member, Food Science Club, North Carolina State University, 2010-2016
- Public Service Committee Co-Chair, 2012-2013
- Dairy Bar Manager, 2013-2016
- Active member, Pi Beta Phi Sorority, North Carolina State University, 2010-2014
- Executive Board Vice President of Finance, 2010-2011
- Executive Board Vice President of Administration, 2011-2012
Awards/Honors
- IAFP Student Travel Scholarship, July 2015
- Food Communicator Workshop Participant, IFT, April 2015
- Student Scholarship for the National Consumer Food Safety Education Conference, November 2014
- Student Fellowship for the NC Agriculture and Biotechnology Summit, October 2014
- Omega Phi Alpha National Service Sorority Individual Achievement in Service (IAS) Award, April 2014
- IFT Quality Assurance Division Travel Scholarship, April 2014
- North Carolina State University Dean’s List, Fall 2013- Spring 2015
- Scholarship Recipient, Agribusiness Study Abroad Program, November 2011
- First Year Student Outstanding Woman Nominee, Outstanding Women’s Awards, January 2011
- Scholarship Recipient, Wake County Farm Bureau, September 2010