TEACHING
Training the people who keep food safe.
As Program Director of Food Safety & Quality at Lakeland University, Leili prepares students for careers in food safety, quality and production, and brings the same hands-on approach to training working professionals.
IN THE CLASSROOM
“My approach to teaching is to make the subject fun and show my students that I care about their learning.”
FROM HER TEACHING STATEMENT
TEACHING GOALS
Inspire lifelong learners
Teach critical thinking and problem-solving
Use current techniques and technologies
Build a friendly, interactive classroom
STUDENTS
Students doing real science, in front of real industry.
STUDENTS IN THE LAB
Summer research, 2026
How natural botanical additives affect microbial load and quality in acidified pickled cucumbers. Presented at Scholars in Action.
Presenting to industry
Students shared their research with food safety professionals at the WAFP Annual Meeting, with travel support from Sargento and Vikan.
Mentoring
Co-supervised 12 graduate and 3 undergraduate students at Universiti Putra Malaysia, leading to 11 journal publications, and UC Merced capstone teams that designed a color sorter for defective pistachio kernels.
Student achievements
Awards, internships and graduate placements will be added here.
COURSES
Courses she has developed and taught.
Principles of Hazard Analysis & Critical Control (HACCP)
Audits, Preventive Controls & Produce Safety
Food Safety Management for Production Systems
Food Microbiology
Microbiology
Food Processing
Food Technology
Agriculture Laws & Regulations
TEACHING HISTORY
2023 –
Program Director, Food Safety & Quality, Lakeland University
2021 –
Adjunct Professor of Food Safety, West Hills College Coalinga (online)
2008 – 2012
Teaching Assistant, Universiti Putra Malaysia
2006 – 2007
Head of Department, Food Technology, Kar Higher Education Institute
2005 – 2006
Lecturer, Department of Agriculture, Azad University
Training for food companies
HACCP, preventive controls, GMPs and sanitation for new hires, line leads and QA teams, on-site in Wisconsin or live online.
Jan 2022
Preventing aflatoxin contamination in pistachio processing, training for growers and processors
Apr 2026
Pasteurizer Operator Training host, with WAFP and DATCP
Have a food safety question?
Tell me about your product and timeline. I reply within two business days.