FREDREANA D. HESTER
fhester1@bulldogs.aamu.edu
EDUCATION
Doctorate of Philosophy in Food Science
Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, Normal AL
Master of Science in Food Science
Alabama Agricultural Mechanical University, Normal AL
Bachelor of Science in Food Science Human Nutrition
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
RESEARCH
May 2016
December 2013
May 2012
Graduate Research Assistant
May 2012 to Present
Nutritional Biochemistry Laboratory at Alabama A&M University
• Conducted chemical analysis assays Phenolics, Flavonoids, FRAP, DPPH on selected extracts
• Cultivated HIT-T15 and HepG2 cell lines for endogenous antioxidant enzyme analysis research
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Food Processing Laboratory at University of Florida, Gainesville FL
January 2012 to May 2012
• Conducted research on allergens in Japanese Rice
• Used UV Pulsation light, Western blot, SDS-PGE, and ELISA assays for testing
Research Intern
August 2010 to May 2011
Emerging Pathogens Institute at University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
• Served as a Team leader for the Alachua County FluMist Vaccination program which vaccinated over fifty
percent of Alachua County students
• Coordinated clinics for all Alachua county public schools
• Conducted research amongst asthma contraindications and the FluMist vaccine
EXPERIENCE R&D Intern
May 2013 to August 2013
Dow AgroSciences thru Kelly Services Indianapolis, IN
§ Performed accelerated shelf life analysis of food product
§ Orchestrated various chemical, microbial, nutritional, sensory, and textural analysis within Omega 9
healthy oils division.
Sensory Taste Lab Technician
University of Florida Food Lab, Gainesville FL
• Organized materials for sensory panelist
• Assisted graduate students conducting sensory panels
Lab Technician
ABC Research Corporation, Gainesville FL
• Specialized in systematic sampling
• Worked in Chemistry Department for FDA recall product testing
ACTIVITIES
January 2011 to May 2012
January 2011 to April 2011
2014-2015 IFTSA Southeast Area Representative
March 2014 to Present
• IFTSA elected officer position responsible for all communication between IFTSA Board and local
southeast chapters and organizing the regional area meeting and college bowl competition
2014-2016 Sensory and Consumer Sciences Division Student Representative
• Two year IFT nominated position to serve on the SCSD community team lead
April 2014 to Present
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
January 2011 to Present
• Served as President, Vice President, Ag Council Representative, and Recording Secretary
• Participant in 2012 National Research Poster Contest
Alabama A&M Food Science Club
August 2012 to Present
• Served as First Vice President
• Member of Southeastern Sectional of Institute of Food Technologist
USDA Food Science Summer Scholars Program
Alabama A&M University
• Served as mentor for summer scholars program
University of Florida Food Science and Human Nutrition Club
• Volunteered at IFT Suppliers Night
• Member of Florida Section IFT
•
AWARDS
June 2014 & July 2012
January 2011 to May 2012
Assisted new immigrant families in Williston, Fl communicate with their employers.
2014 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders Scholarship
April 2014
§ Awarded from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the National Association of
Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) to deserving women leaders to attend the
NCCWSL in College Park, Maryland.
2014 Institute of Food Technologists Southeastern Section Student Leadership Award
April 2014
• Awarded for excellence in leadership and continued contributions to further the field of food science within the
southeastern section of IFT.
2013 FASEB MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers) Travel Award
August 2013
• Awarded to promote the entry of students and scientists from underrepresented groups into the mainstream
of the basic science community and to encourage the participation of young scientists at the scientific
meetings
2013 Institute of Food Technologists Southeastern Section Student Leadership Award
April 2013
• Awarded for excellence in leadership and continued contributions to further the field of food science within the
southeastern section of IFT.
2011 Florida Dairy Products Association Scholarship Recipient
April 2011
• Awarded to a deserving Food Science student with interest in dairy, that exemplifies scholarship,
leadership and professional potential.
PRESENTATIONS
• 2013 Institute of Food Technologist Annual Meeting & Food Expo, Chicago, IL
July 2013
In Vitro Anti-Diabetic and Antioxidative Potential of Turmeric
F.D. Hester, M. Verghese; R. Sunkara; L. Walker
Anti-Diabetic and Antioxidative Potential of Garlic Using Pancreatic and HepG2 Cell Lines.
F.D. Hester, M. Verghese; R. Sunkara; L. Walker
•
Association of Research Directors Conference, Jacksonville FL
In Vitro Anti-Diabetic and Antioxidative Potential of Turmeric
F.D. Hester, M. Verghese; R. Sunkara; L. Walker
•
2012 MANRRS National Conference, Atlanta GA
March 2012
Reduction of IgE Immunoreactivity of Japanese rice (Oryza santiva var. Japonica) Protein Extracts by
Pulse Light Illumination
F.D. Hester; X. Zhao; W. Yang
SKILLS
Skills and Certifications
●HACCP Certified
●Research and Development
●Cell Culture
●Product Development
●Sensory Evaluation
Equipment
●TA XT Texture Analyzer
●Synergy HT Micro-plate Reader
●Sorvall Legend XTR Centrifuge
●Rotavapor R-215
Computers
●Proficient in Microsoft Office
Applications
●Windows 7 & 8, Vista, Mac
Operating Systems
April 2013
Languages
●Conversational Spanish