Arun K. Bhunia, B.V.Sc., Ph.D., is a professor of molecular food microbiology in the Department of Food Science at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Prof. Bhunia received his PhD from University of Wyoming. He received his Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya (currently West Bengal University of Fishery and Animal Sciences), West Bengal, India. He received his postdoctoral training from University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, in 1994 and then joined Alabama A&M University as an Assistant Professor in 1995. In 1998, he joined the Department of Food Science at Purdue University. He teaches two graduate level courses: Microbial Foodborne Pathogen – this course deals with mechanism of pathogenesis of foodborne pathogens and toxins and the host immune response to infections. Microbial Techniques for Food Pathogen is a laboratory course that incorporates rapid methods employing immunoassays, genetic and biosensor tools. In addition, he co-directs a graduate level seminar course - "Gut Microbiology Journal Club. He conducts research in the area of foodborne pathogens with major emphasis on pathogen detection utilizing biosensor, cell-based sensor, immunosensor, immunoassays and genetic tools. The primary target organisms are Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Bacillus cereus. In addition, he conducts research to investigate pathogenic mechanism especially the intestinal phase of infection for Listeria monocytogenes. He is also involved in developing mammalian cell culture-based rapid assays for foodborne pathogens. His research has been funded by grants from US Department of Agriculture, National Science Foundation, and Center for Food Safety Engineering at Purdue University.
To date, Prof. Bhunia has published 86 refereed and 21 proceedings articles, coauthored a text book "Fundamental Food Microbiology, 4th Edition, CRC Press, and co-edited two books (Foodborne Pathogens: Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2005; Caister Academic Press, and The Science of Homeland Security, 2006, Purdue University Press). He has written eight book chapters, and presented over 100 presentations in national and international meetings or institutions. He is a member of American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Society for Microbiology, Institute of Food Technologists, and Society for Photo Optical Engineers, and he currently serves as editorial board member for two refereed journals; Journal of Food Protection, Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment. In 2003, Prof. Bhunia received a prestigious Purdue Agricultural Research Award, in 2005, he was selected as University Faculty Scholar and his research team received "2006 Agriculture Team Award" from Purdue University.
