Dr. Janak Dhakal University of Maryland Eastern Shore Assistant Professor Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Sciences (410) 651-6327 jdhakal@umes.edu
Expertise
Janak Dhakal received his PhD in Poultry Science from Mississippi State University. After working briefly in industry, he worked as a post-doctoral fellow at Kansas State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before joining the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) as an Assistant Professor of Animal Sciences in the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Sciences. He has over ten years of experience working in controlling and characterizing foodborne bacteria, molds, viruses, and antimicrobial resistance. At the UMES, among his different research activities, he is leading a USDA-NIFA-funded project on Salmonella in pet food and antimicrobial resistance., Food, and feed safety and Food microbiology, Introduction to Animal Science (ANPT-114) Swine Production (ANPT-473) Food/Agriculture Science Seminar (FDST700/AGSC600).
Education
2016.
PhD, Mississippi State University, 2016. Major: Poultry Science
2012.
MS, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Science University, 2012. Major: Master of Veterinary Science& Animal Biotechnology
2009.
B.V.Sc & A.H., Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Science University, 2009. Major: Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry
EDITORIAL BOARD, Journal of Food Protection. (2022 - 2026).
Editor, Animals. (2024 - 2025).
Secretary, Nepalese Association for Food Protection. (2024 - 2025).
(November 2025 - January 2013).
Professional Memberships
Arkansas Association for Food Protection.
Cereals and Grains Association.
International Association for Food Protection.
Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas.
Poultry Science Association.
(2025 - Present).
(2020 - Present).
(2018 - Present).
(2014 - Present).
(2014 - Present).
Publications
Dhakal, Janak. 2024.
Dhakal, Janak. 2024.
Dhakal, Janak, et al. “Salmonella Presence and Risk Mitigation in Pet Foods: A Growing Challenge with Implications for Human Health.” Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, vol. 23, no. 6, Wiley, Nov. 2024, doi:10.1111/1541-4337.70060.