Graduate Student
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dr. Minna Luo is a postdoctoral fellow in Food Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she collaborates with industry leaders such as PepsiCo to develop stable nutrient delivery systems in functional beverages. With a Ph.D. in Food Science and a strong publication record in high-impact journals, Dr. Luo's research focuses on the bioavailability and metabolic transformation of dietary polyphenols, particularly curcumin, by the gut microbiota. Her work has unveiled significant interindividual variability in microbial curcumin metabolism, leading to the discovery of novel bacterial strains and bioactive metabolites with anti-inflammatory potential. She has authored over a dozen peer-reviewed publications, contributed to USDA-funded projects, and received numerous honors including the Guangzhou Elite Scholarship and multiple first-place research competition awards.