Vaishali Poswal is a graduate student in the Dairy and Food Science Department at South Dakota State University (SDSU), where she is pursuing a Master of Science degree. In addition to her academic work, she gains hands-on experience at the Davis Dairy Plant on campus and serves as a dedicated advocate for the dairy industry.
As a Dairy Ambassador, Vaishali has played an active role in nearly every promotional event this year. She volunteered at the Midwest Dairy exhibit during the Central Plains Dairy Expo, supported National Dairy Month activities such as Dairy Fest and the annual Day on the Farm open house, and represented dairy at several South Dakota fairs. At these events, she engaged with youth in educational centers, sparking curiosity and conversations about dairy.
In addition to her promotional work, Vaishali conducts research under the supervision of Dr. Sanjeev Anand at SDSU. Her current project, funded through support from the Midwest Dairy Food Research Center (MDFRC), focuses on Listeria monocytogenes, an ongoing challenge in dairy processing. The research explores how Listeria survives in processing environments, interacts with other microorganisms, and leads to cross-contamination even after pasteurization. Combining laboratory studies with advanced genomic tools, Vaishali and her team aim to develop better control strategies to reduce risks, strengthen safety protocols, and reinforce consumer confidence in dairy products.
Vaishali’s work offers a uniquw “two-for-one” benefit for dairy farmers. On one hand, she helps promote dairy as a safe, nutritious, and delicious food through her role as an ambassador. On the other hand, she contributes to groundbreaking research that directly impacts processors and farmers by helping to prevent costly recalls and ensuring stronger food safety practices.
“As part of my graduate studies at SDSU, I am researching the control of Listeria monocytogenes in the dairy processing environment under the supervision of Prof. (Dr.) Sanjeev Anand. Despite rigorous cleaning and sanitation, Listeria can persist in facilities and contaminate finished products, leading to costly recalls and a loss of consumer trust,” said Vaishali. “Our project focuses on how Listeria survives and interacts with other microorganisms. While pasteurization eliminates Listeria in milk, post-pasteurization cross-contamination is a significant concern. The outcomes of this research will benefit both processors and farmers, as well as support broader efforts to manage foodborne pathogens across the dairy supply chain.”
Vaishali is proud to combine her passion for dairy promotion with her commitment to advancing science-based solutions for the industry. She credits support from Dairy Management Inc. and the SDSU Dairy and Food Science Department for making her research possible. Her journey reflects the future of the dairy industry, driven by both innovation and advocacy, ensuring that consumers continue to see dairy as safe, sustainable, and essential.