Members

Audrey L. Girard, Ph.D. | Principal Investigator

Audrey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science. She obtained her B.S. in Bakery Science & Management from Kansas State University and her Ph.D. in Food Science & Technology from Texas A&M University. She is a member of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), the Cereals and Grains Association (formerly AACCI), the American Chemical Society (ACS), Phi Tau Sigma honor society, and the Pulse Protein Innovation Center research cohort. When not working, Audrey enjoys running, reading, and any activity that gets her into the great outdoors.

(608) 890-4877 | algirard@wisc.edu | LinkedIn

Ting Mao, Ph.D. | Postdoctoral Research Associate

Ting earned a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from South Dakota State University in 2026. Her research primarily focused on investigating the delivery properties of milk proteins (whey proteins and caseins) for transporting berry-derived polyphenols. She joined our team as a postdoctoral researcher in February 2026. In her free time, Ting enjoys reading books and watching cartoons with her kids.

ting.mao@wisc.edu

Andrew Ndubuisi Akanno, Ph.D. | Postdoctoral Research Associate

Andrew has a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. In the course of his research career, his interest mainly focused on understanding the bulk and interfacial properties of colloids and emulsions. Andrew enjoys playing soccer and running cross-country races.

(608) 239-7283 | akanno@wisc.edu | LinkedIn

Lily Lincoln | Doctoral Student

Lily received her B.S. in Food Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Previously, she has had summer internships with Cargill & J.M. Smucker. She is now pursuing a PhD and joined the lab in September 2022. In her free time she enjoys hiking, running, & reading.

llincoln2@wisc.edu | LinkedIn

Sanjana Sawant | Doctoral Student

Sanjana received her M.S. in Food Science and Technology from The Ohio State University. She joined the lab as a PhD student in Fall 2023.  In her free time Sanjana enjoys watching movies, playing badminton, and reading.

sssawant2@wisc.edu

Tina Miao | Doctoral Student

Tina received her B.S. in Food Science with a minor in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She joined the lab as a PhD student in Fall 2025. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, playing tennis, and watching movies with friends.

tmiao23@wisc.edu | LinkedIn

Whitney Brown | Undergraduate Lab Assistant | Started Fall 2024

Sophia Delgado | Undergraduate Lab Assistant | Started Spring 2023

Wendy Lu | Undergraduate Lab Assistant | Started Spring 2024