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Free Sample Personal Statement in Food Science & Technology
Degree desired: Doctorate
Proposed field of Study: Food Science & Technology
Microbiological food safety has always been a focus of concern for the
food processing industry and the public. Food spoilage microorganisms
are responsible for approximately one-fourth of the total amount of food
disposed throughout the world (Huss, 1992). Society also pays a huge
economic price for the illnesses caused by foodborne pathogens and
concomitant decrease of productivity. Thus my major interest is in
researching methods for detecting microorganisms in the food system and
the means for controlling or eliminating them.
After I received my master's degree and serving two years in the
military, I started working as an Associate Food Scientist at the Food
Industry Research and Development Institute (FIRDI) in September, 1990.
For the first 22 months there I was a lecturer in the Training Unit,
where I taught about food processing plants as a part of employee
training under the "Food GMP Authorization and Promotion Plan" and the
"Promotion of CAS (Chinese Agricultural Standards ) Quality Mark System"
.Both are important official systems for ensuring food quality in Taiwan
nowadays; nevertheless, they lean toward plant hygienic layout and
design, and end-product inspection.
At my request, I transferred to the HACCP Working Group in July, 1992.
This one-year on-line microbiological survey and monitor of food
processing factories advanced my understanding of environmental stresses
on microorganisms and the methods of destroying them. My co-workers and
I submitted the proposals "The HACCP System for Production of Frozen
Roasted Eel" and "The HACCP System for Production of Ice Bar" in June,
1993. HACCP is a preventive system of food safety. It is more effective
and reasonable than conventional quality assurance programs based on
end-production testing. This system has been introduced into Taiwan by
FIRDI for over four years. However, the concept of HACCP is still
frequently misunderstood or little known, partly because plant
management often mistakes it for a "trouble-shooting" system, not a
"trouble-preventing" one. Another reason is the complexity of decisions
about where the "real" CCPs are located and what the applicable criteria
are for preventing a false sense of security. Taiwan is demanding of
pecialists in this field.
From July, 1993, to the present I have been the Assistant Manager, R&D
Division, in Kasei Frozen Foods Works Co., Ltd. Fortunately I could
employ my knowledge here in Kasei to achieve an ambitious dream of
mine:the "Umbrella of Quality Assurance." This encompassed the hygienic
design of the processing equipment and layout of this plant, employee
training and hygienic management, cleaning and disinfection procedures,
sampling and inspection plans, HACCP system, etc. These broadly describe
my research interests.
In order to enhance my research abilities, I have taken courses in SAS
(Statistical Analysis System) at Taiwan Institute of Technology. In
February, 1995, I will attend 90 hours of classes in "Technology of Food
Quality Control Program for High-level Management" at China Productivity
Center (CPC). In the subsequent months, I am also planning to study
books relevant to food microbiology to make up for my lack of formal
training. And then, most importantly, I would like to begin intensive
study at your graduate school.
If I am admitted, I will apply my effort into achieving the following
goals:
(1) To acquire the knowledge of microbiological phenomena in foods. I
plan to take some advanced courses related to food microbiology,
including the following topics: microbial ecology, control and
elimination methods in food microbiology, food pathogenic bacteriology
and foodborne disease hazards, food toxicology, microbiological
deterioration, shelf-life extension, establishment of microbiological
criteria, methods of sampling, enumerating, isolating and identifying
microorganisms, etc.
(2) To advance my understanding of plant sanitation. At present, few
scholars here are carrying out research on this subject. I strongly
desire to gain expertise in hygienic design of food processing
equipment, cleaner and sanitizer efficacy, biofilm, waste product
handling, etc. If the situation warrants, I may also consider taking
HACCP training courses on or off campus.
(3) To improve my abilities with statistics and computer applications.
Because statistical procedures are essential tools in food research, I
intend to take courses related to this area at your institute. Upon the
completion of my studies, I will return to Taiwan. I aspire to devoting
myself to teaching in colleges or continuing my research work in a
research institute where I can serve the food industry more.
Reference
Huss, H.H. (1992) Development and use of the HACCP concept in fish
processing.
Int'l. J. of Food Microbiology. 15, pp33-44.
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