Research Scholar at Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran
Dr. Zohreh Mashak is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control at Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran. With over 25 years of academic experience, she has contributed extensively to food microbiology, hygiene, and safety. Her research spans foodborne pathogens, antimicrobial effects of natural preservatives, and food irradiation. She has led multiple research projects and has published widely in peer-reviewed journals. As an educator, she has mentored numerous students at undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. levels. Her commitment to food safety and quality has made her a respected figure in academia. 📚🔬
Publication Profile
Google Scholar
Educational Background🎓
Dr. Zohreh Mashak holds a Ph.D. in Food Hygiene and Quality Control from the Science and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University, Tehran (2004), where her thesis focused on Clostridium botulinum growth under various conditions. She also earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) from Shiraz University (1988), where she studied metabolic profiles of bovine pregnancy in embryo recipients. Her strong academic foundation in veterinary medicine and food safety has shaped her research and teaching career, contributing significantly to the field of microbiology, food safety, and public health. 🏫🔬
Professional Experience🏢
Dr. Mashak has been an educator at Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, from 1996 to 2023, and previously taught at Ahvaz Medical Science University (1989-1992). She has taught a wide range of courses, including food hygiene, meat and milk safety, zoonotic diseases, and microbiology. Her expertise extends beyond academia to laboratory research, where she has been involved in food safety and antimicrobial studies. She has actively contributed to establishing accredited laboratories for food quality assessment and has conducted various national and international workshops, training professionals in food safety and hygiene. 🧪📖
Awards and Honors🏆
Dr. Mashak has received numerous accolades for her contributions to food safety and microbiology. She has been a key speaker at international workshops, including the Asia-Pacific Probiotics Workshop and the OIE Animal Welfare Program. She has obtained lecturer certifications for scientific webinars and industry training programs. She has also played a significant role in obtaining government approvals for laboratory research in food hygiene. Recognized for her outstanding teaching and research, her dedication to public health and food quality has earned her widespread respect in academia and the food industry. 🎖️🌍
Research Focus🔬
Dr. Mashak’s research focuses on food microbiology, antimicrobial properties of essential oils, food irradiation, and biodegradable packaging. She investigates microbial contamination in dairy, meat, and ready-to-eat foods, antibiotic resistance in foodborne pathogens, and the presence of mycotoxins in food products. She has also studied the molecular analysis of probiotics and the safety of traditional fermented foods. Her work aims to enhance food safety standards, improve food preservation techniques, and develop natural antimicrobial agents to reduce health risks associated with foodborne illnesses. 🍽️🦠
Publication Top Notes
📄 One-year prevalence of antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus recovered from raw meat 🥩🦠
Year: 2017 | Cited by: 121
📄 Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of antibiotic resistance in the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from hospital cockroaches 🏥🪳🦠
Year: 2019 | Cited by: 109
📄 Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella serotypes isolated from retail chicken meat and giblets in Iran 🍗🦠
Year: 2015 | Cited by: 95
📄 Microbiological Investigation of O‐Serogroups, Virulence Factors and Antimicrobial Resistance Properties of Shiga Toxin‐Producing Escherichia Coli Isolated from Food 🍽️🦠
Year: 2015 | Cited by: 82
Conclusion
Dr. Zohreh Mashak is a distinguished academic and researcher with a Ph.D. in Food Hygiene and Quality Control and a D.V.M. in Veterinary Medicine, specializing in food safety, microbiology, and antimicrobial interventions. With over 27 years of teaching experience across Ph.D., D.V.M., Master’s, and Bachelor’s levels, she has contributed extensively to student mentorship and curriculum development. Her research focuses on foodborne pathogens, antimicrobial packaging, probiotics, and antibiotic resistance, with multiple high-impact publications. She has played a vital role in laboratory accreditations, industry collaborations, and international workshops, reflecting her leadership in academia and applied research. These achievements make her a strong candidate for the Research for Excellence in Academia Award.