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Dr Olga de Smidt

Dr De Smidt Olga

QUALIFICATIONS	BSc, BSc Hons: Genetics, MSc: Biochemistry, PhD: Biochemistry
SHORT CV	Olga de Smidt is a Research Scientist and the Deputy Director of the Centre for Applied Food Sustainability and -Biotechnology (CAFSaB). She holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of the Free State and has 14 years’ experience doing multidisciplinary research in Environmental and Food Microbial Ecology. She leads the Food Industry Effluents Characterisation research initiative, which is funded by the NRF, and focusses on the diversity and functionality of microbiomes from food industry effluents. She also oversees the Unit for Brewing and Functional Fermentations called CUTbrU Beer Lab. The CUTbrU Beer Lab initiative established a product development value chain called “Malt2Moolah” which was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s excellence award for innovation in 2020.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE	Environmental Molecular biology Fermentation Biotechnology
PUBLICATIONS	(from 2016 – a full list can be accessed on ResearchGate) Nhlapo N, Dzogbewu TC, de Smidt, O (2022) Nanofiber Polymers for Coating Titanium-Based Biomedical Implants. Fibers 10, 36. https://doi.org/10.3390/fib10040036 Theisinger SM, de Smidt O, Lues JFR (2021) Categorisation of culturable bioaerosols in a fruit juice manufacturing facility. Plos One 16(4): e0242969. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242969 Baah G, Manduan IT, de Smidt O, Malebo NJ (2021) Evaluation of phytochemical and anti-yeast properties of Moringa oleifera extracts as potential natural preservative in fruit juice. Acta Horticulturae 1306, 269-276. DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1306.34. Nwigwe CS, Fossey A, de Smidt O (2021) Characterisation of Eucalyptus rhizospheric communities using fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) profile analysis. African Journal of Plant and Soil, 38:2, 116-125, DOI: 10.1080/02571862.2021.1879285 Cason ED, Mahlomaholo BJ, Taole MM, Abong GO, Vermeulen J, de Smidt O, Vermeulen M, Steyn L, Valverde, Viljoen B (2020) Bacterial and Fungal Dynamics During the Fermentation Process of Sesotho, a Traditional Beer of Southern Africa. Frontiers in Microbiology 11:1451. doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.01451 Nhlapo N, Dzogbewu TC, de Smidt O (2020) A systematic review on improving the biocompatibility of titanium implants using nanoparticles. Manufacturing Review 7:1-10, https://doi.org/10.1051/mfreview/2020030. Nhlapo N, Dzogbewu TC, de Smidt O (2019) A systematic review on improving the biocompatibility of titanium implants using nanoparticles. Proceedings of the 20th International Conference of the Rapid Product Development. pp. 343-361, ISBN No.978-0-6398390-0-4 Corbett KM, de Smidt O (2019) Culture-dependent diversity profiling of spoilage yeasts species by PCR-RFLP comparative analysis. Food Science and Technology International 25(8): 671-679. DOI: 10.1177/1082013219856779 Krakhmalev P, Yadroitsev, Yadroitsava I, de Smidt O (2017) Functionalization of Biomedical Ti6Al4V via In Situ Alloying by Cu during Laser Powder Bed Fusion Manufacturing. Materials 10: 1154, doi: 10.3390/ma10101154 de Smidt O (2016) The use of PCR-DGGE to determine bacterial fingerprints for poultry and red meat abattoir effluent. Letters in Applied Microbiology 62:1-8 (DOI: 10.1111/lam.12505)
CHAPTER(S) IN BOOK(S)	Theisinger SM, de Smidt O (2017) Bioaerosols in the food and beverage industry in: Ideas and applications toward sample preparation in food and beverage analysis. Ed. Stauffer M. INTECH; ISBN 978-953-51-3686-6. p51-75. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.69978
PRESENTED CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS	(from 2015 – a full list can be accessed on ResearchGate) Theisinger SM, de Smidt O, Lues JFR (2019) Bioaerosols in a fruit juice manufacturing facility – harmful, harmless, or perhaps helpful. Annual International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Conference, Louisville, Kentucky (US). Abdul RA, de Smidt O, Swanepoel H (2019) Evaluation of different disinfectants on isolated yeast and biofilm associated microbiota from a beverage production facility. Annual International Associated for Food Protection (IAFP) Conference, Louisville, Kentucky (US). Nhlapo N, Dzogbewu TC, de Smidt O (2019) A systematic review on improving the biocompatibility of titanium implants using nanoparticles. 20^th International Conference of the Rapid Product Development, RAPDASA, Bloemfontein, South Africa. Cason ED, Mahlomaholo BJ, Taole MM, Abong GO, Vermeulen J, de Smidt O, et al. (2019) Insights into the microbial diversity and distribution during the Sesotho fermentation process. 8^thCongress of European Microbiologists (FEMS 2019), Glasgow, Scotland. Baah G, Manduna IT, de Smidt O, Malebo NJ (2019) Evaluation of phytochemical and anti-yeast properties of Moringa oleifera extracts as potential natural preservative in fruit juice. II International Symposium on Moringa: Pretoria, South Africa. de Smidt O, van der Merwe FC, le Roux FP, Erasmus H, Keller M (2017) Bacterial community shift in aerobic abattoir effluent bioreactors. 4^th International Conference on Microbial Diversity: Bari, Italy. le Roux FP, de Smidt O, Botes E, Esterhuizen L (2017) Coliform diversity in a drinking water distribution system. 4^th International Conference on Microbial Diversity: Bari, Italy. van der Merwe FC, de Smidt O, Theisinger SM (2017) Coliform diversity in abattoir effluent. 4^th International Conference on Microbial Diversity: Bari, Italy. Keswa AM, de Smidt O (2017) Bacterial diversity in poultry abattoir effluent. 4^th International Conference on Microbial Diversity: Bari, Italy. de Smidt O, van der Merwe FC, Koikoi LM, le Roux FP (2016) Biostimulation for treatment of abattoir effluent in a batch bioreactor. International Scientific and Practical Conference; BRICS Water Forum: Moscow, Russia. Zeelie L, de Smidt O, Lues JFR (2016) Conventional culturing: selective media competing for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes on foodstuffs. International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST): Dublin, Ireland. Smith EM, de Smidt O (2016) The influence of extrinsic stresses on the toxicity of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as quantified by porcine IL-6 production. International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST): Dublin, Ireland. de Smidt O (2015) Abattoir Effluent: Can DGGE Trace the Waste? 6^th World Gene Convention: Qingdao, China (Invited speaker)
EXTERNAL PROFILES	ResearchGate

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Dr De Smidt Olga
Tel: +27 (0)51 507 3429
odesmidt@cut.ac.za