Deirdre Mikkelsen

United Nations (UN) member states in 2015 agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen is a microbiologist and Senior Lecturer in Food Science at the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, where her teaching and research contribute to several UN SDGs, including:

• Goal 2 – Zero Hunger
• Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being
• Goal 4 – Quality Education
• Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
• Goal 13 – Climate Action
• Goal 15 – Life on Land

Deirdre holds a B.Sc. (First Class Honours, 1999) and a PhD in Microbiology (2005), both from UQ. She has expertise in molecular microbial ecology, bioinformatics and fermentation microbiology. Her academic journey includes research roles at the Advanced Wastewater Management Centre (2005) and from 2006 at the Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences (CNAFS), Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), where she held Postdoctoral and Research Fellow positions. She joined her current School in 2019.

Program Coordination and Teaching

Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen is the Program Coordinator for the following postgraduate programs:

• Master of Food Science and Technology
• Master of Food Science and Technology (Research Extensive)
• Graduate Certificate in Food Science and Technology

She also coordinates and teaches:

• FOOD2000 – Food Science
• FOOD3017 – Food Safety & Quality Management
• FOOD7021 – Professional Experience (Work Integrated Learning)

Professional Memberships and Engagement

• Member, Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) – Queensland Branch Committee
• Member, International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) Education Oversight Group – Australasia representative
• Member, IUFoST – Food Safety Working Committee 2.2 (Education focus)
• Academic Advisory Group Member, Ag Connections Agriskills Accelerator Program
• Member, Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM)