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Castillo, Alejandro (Alex)

Alejandro (Alex) Castillo

Associate Professor
Office:  
Kleberg Center Room 110A
Email:  
Phone:  
979-845-3565

Education

Undergraduate Education
B.Sc. Biology, Chemistry & Pharmacy, University of Guadalajara, 1977
Graduate Education
M.A. Sanitary Microbiology, University of Guadalajara, 1980
M.Sc. Food Microbiology & Hygiene, University of Guadalajara (Mexico), 1985
Ph.D. Food Science & Technology, Texas A&M University, 1998 Awards
Courses Taught
Microbiology of Foods. Graduate level course (FSTC 606)
Food Safety Principles and Preventive Controls for Human Food (FSTC 324)
Graduate Seminar (FSTC 681)
Undergraduate Seminar (481)

Areas of Expertise

Microbial Food Safety

Professional Summary

Research Focus:

  • Development and validation of control measures for reducing pathogens
  • Microbial ecology in fresh produce
  • Food safety of fresh and fresh-cut produce
  • Pathogen reduction on beef and pork products and fresh produce
  • Industry training and consulting in food safety programs
  • Latin American food safety

Ongoing Research

  • Agriculture Water Treatment. Southwest Region.
  • Bacteria Super-Repellent and Water-efficient, Self-Cleaning. Coatings for Vegetable Washing, Grading, and Packing Lines.
  • Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Food Safety in Spinach Production.
  • Use of ozone gas for eliminating Listeria monocytogenes on surfaces in food storage containers.
  • Strategies to Mitigate Salmonella Contamination In Bulb Onions
  • Next-Generation Smart Surfaces and Coatings to Improve Food Safety and Water-Efficiency of U.S. Specialty Crops

Publications