Ellen R. Simmons3816 Apt A Papermill Square

Knoxville, TN 37909Phone: 540-287-4738Esimmo15@utk.edu

Educational Background

Master of Science in Food Science and Technology, December 2015University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleFood Microbiology GPA: 3.94/4.0Thesis title: “Evaluation of a natural antimicrobial-based sanitizer as an alternative to chlorine for reducing foodborne pathogenic bacteria on organic produce”

Thesis advisor: Dr. Michael DavidsonBachelor of Science in Chemistry, May 2013

Christopher Newport University Organic Chemistry

Minor: Organismal BiologyGPA: 3.22/4.0

Dean’s list (GPA above 3.5/4.0) - Spring 2011 and Fall 2011

Research and Teaching Experience

Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 2013-2015

Conducted primary research as an assistant to Professor P. Michael Davidson in the development of a sanitizer to inhibit microorganisms on organic produce.

Assisted in helping with various tasks involving familiarizing interns with the university and laboratories.

Food Microbiology Lab Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 2015

Oversaw all grading for 21 undergraduate students Taught the pre-lab and answered all questions Prepared materials for lab twice a week

Quality Assurance and Sanitation Graduate Assistant, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 2015

Oversaw all grading for 30 undergraduate studentsIndependent Researcher, Department of Molecular Biology and Chemistry, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA, 2011-2013

Conducted primary research to analyze the influence of cadmium and mycorrhizal fungi on the fatty acid profile of flax seeds.

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Inorganic Chemistry Lecture and Lab Student Teaching Assistant, Department of Molecular Biology and Chemistry, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA, 2013-2015

Oversaw all grading for 30 undergraduate student

Research Projects

Organic Produce Project, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 2013-2015 A food microbiology project focused on the development of a sanitizing agent to inhibit

foodborne pathogens on the surface of USDA certified organic produce for use during post harvest processing. Specifically, this project was designed to develop a sanitizer that can be organically approved by the USDA, composed of essential oils or organic acids, and can be used as an alternative to chlorine, the currently used sanitizer. This organic compound must also exhibit high efficacy in eliminating the potential of cross-contamination of Salmonella enterica, E. coli O157:H7, or Listeria monocytogenes onto the produce. My duties were to analyze the effects of Citrox, a naturally-occurring antimicrobial based sanitizing agent, on the inhibition of microorganisms when tested on food mediums like organic cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, Romaine lettuce, and cantaloupe to increase food safety for the consumption of organic produce.

Skills gained: creating a project outline and working with time limitations, making various types of microbial media, working with microorganisms associated with food pathogenic outbreaks, gathering and efficiently reporting data, presenting data, and public speaking

Ocean Spray, Inc. Project - Cranberry-Based Products as Natural Antimicrobials, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 2014-2015

Determined the efficacy of a cranberry-based antimicrobials as inhibitors of pathogenic bacteria on tomatoes

Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Analysis in Flax Seeds Project, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA, 2012-2013

An organic chemistry project focused on the analysis of fatty acid methyl ester content in flax seeds cultivated in various growth conditions. The seeds were grown in the presence or absence of Cadmium (a heavy metal) and/or mycorrhizal fungi in order to determine if the fungus helped in the absorption of the Cadmium into the plant seeds. Once the seeds were harvested the fatty acid methyl ester content in the seeds were analyzed to determine if the Cadmium levels effected the fatty acid concentration. My duties were to extract the fatty acid methyl esters from the seeds post-harvest and inject them into the GC/MS for analysis.

Skilled gained: working knowledge on utilization of GC/MS, extraction, rotary evaporation, and reporting results

Cystinuria-Epoxide Project, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA, 2011-2013 A medicinal chemistry project focused on the synthesis and design of compounds that

contain thiols for the treatment of a metabolic disorder, Cystinuria. Cystinuria causes kidney stones and the project focused on how to create compounds that can aid in dissolving of the solids in the kidneys for safe and easy passage. My main duties on this project were to neutralize the amines (amino acids) that were used to open certain epoxides, to be applied to the opening of the analogous thiiramines, to eventually make thiols.

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Skills gained: utilization of rotary evaporation, NMR, extraction, TLC, and acid/base neutralizations.

Publications and Presentations

Kaplan, M. E., E. R. Simmons, J. C. Hawkins, L. G. Ruane, and J. M. Carney. 2014. Influence of cadmium and mycorrhizal fungi on the fatty acid profile of flax (Linum usitatissimum) seeds. J Sci Food Agric. 95:2528-2532.

Simmons, Ellen Rebecca, "Evaluation of a natural antimicrobial-based sanitizer as an alternative to chlorine for reducing foodborne pathogenic bacteria on organic produce. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2015. http://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/3607

Simmons, E., F. Critzer, Q. Zhong, and P. M. Davidson. 2015. “Efficacy of a commercial antimicrobial agent on organic produce against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica.” International Association of Food Protection Annual Meeting, Portland, OR. Poster Presentation. (Also, Institute of Food Technologists, Volunteer Section, Knoxville, TN June, 2015)

Professional Experience

Certified Pharmacy Technician, CVS/Pharmacy, Fredericksburg and Newport News, VA, 2011-2013

Filled prescriptions under supervision of pharmacist and helped customers with prescription pick-up

Inputted prescription and customer information into computer database Resolved insurance issues between patients and insurance companies

Customer Service Associate, Wilderness Presidential Resort, Fredericksburg, VA, 2005-2010 Oversaw and trained new employees Greeted customers and maintained strong customer service orientation Served as primary weekend cook, responsible for handling cash register and store

income, and opened and closed the store each day

Relevant Coursework

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Advanced Food Microbiology AFood Analysis A Food Packaging and Preservation AFood Rheology AProduct Development AQuality Assurance AGeneral Chemistry I, II B+, B+General Chemistry Lab I, II A-, AOrganic Chemistry I, II B, A-Organic Chemistry Lab I, II A-, A-Inorganic Chemistry and Lab B+, AIntermediate Physics I, II B, B-Intermediate Physics Lab I, II A, APhysical Chemistry I, II B+, BPhysical Chemistry Lab B+Analytical Chemistry and Lab B-, B

Instrumental Chemistry and Lab B-, BBiochemistry C+Molecular and Cell Biology A-Evolution and Ecology and Lab A-, AGeneral Microbiology B Zoology and Lab C+, A-Botany and Lab B+, AOther CourseworkCalculus and Analytic Geometry B-Intermediate Calculus C+Biological Statistics AResearch Ethics ASeminar APublic Speaking AHuman Anatomy and Lab PassInvestigating Chemical Literature B+

Affiliations and Memberships

International Association of Food Protection MemberInstitute of Food Technology MemberAmerican Chemical Society MemberTrained in Biosafety and Bloodborne Pathogen SafetyTrained in HACCP and cGMPsChristopher Newport University Chemistry Club

President, 2011-2013• Oversaw all other officers, led meetings, coordinated events, networked with

other organizations, recruited new members and officers, and delegated and oversaw all other affairs.

Treasurer, 2010-2011• Managed money, planned and implemented fundraising, and coordinated bank

deposits through Student ActivitiesAlpha Phi Omega, Alpha Delta Xi chapter, Co-Ed Service Fraternity, inducted 2012

Planed and implemented service projects that benefited the community, the university, and the nation; authorized fundraising events to raise money for the fraternity, and sponsored blood drives through Virginia Blood Services.

Beta Beta Beta, Biology Honor Society, inducted 2011 Attended meetings to discuss plans and projects for the society and participated in

induction ceremonies.

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