Mei Peng Email and Phone Number

I have been conducting research in the area of food psychology and eating behaviour. In particular, I am interested in understanding individual differences in sensory processing (all senses included!) and their links to obesity and pathological eating behaviour, using behavioral and neuroscience techniques. I also teach applied sensory science at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I currently have 5 PhD students - I very much enjoy working with them!

Working for the sensory department at Fonterra enabled me to explore sensory research in industrial research environments and to apply my sensory expertise to practical research work.• Independently design, implement and analyse sensory testing according to project objectives• Experience in sensory profiling of various products: UHT milk, yoghurt, protein powder, whey.• Assist the consumer division when liaising with local agencies for central location tests• Take initiative to drive improvements in sensory methodologies • Demonstrate ability to effectively communicate and interact with cross-functional teams

I was fortunate to work for one of the largest consumer and sensory research teams in New Zealand. Assist with organising and executing a range of consumer and panel studies on a range of food and beverage. I have learnt a range of quantitative and qualitative skills from my PhD supervisor - Dr. Sara Jaeger.• Responsible for project organisation, execution and reporting to the team leader• Ensure optimum of facilities and software in the sensory laboratory• Responsible for writing up internal reports• Co-authored publications

My PhD focused on refining current methodologies for human odour thresholds estimation. The objective is to develop a threshold calculation method with a correct psychophyiscal underpinning to be applied to datasets generated with availabe protocols.• Improved the analytical method of an International standard used for estimating olfactory sensitivity• Defined the role of olfactory sensitivity in food choices• Contributed to discovering the linkage between phonotype and genotype of human olfaction• Authored / co-authored 4 publications and 2 manuscripts• Designed, implemented and analysed a dataset comprised of data from 160 consumers

• Co-ordinated and delivered a Stage-3 undergraduate course in Sensory Science• Structured course content and designed student projects• Led a team of 2 teaching assistant and 1 laboratory staff for delivering this course• Invited guest speakers from industrial food research organisation• Produced 1 manuscript based on the data collected during the students laboratory activity• Students achieved an exceptional pass rate• Received excellent teaching evaluation from the students and teaching staff