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Story by Kay Norton

Rakesh Kaushik, a recent South Dakota State University graduate from the Department of Dairy and Food Science, has received the 2025 Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award from the SDSU Graduate School.

Kaushik’s thesis was titled "Enhancing the Biopreservative Effect of Nonstarter Lactic Acid Bacteria by Soluble Fiber during Cheese Ripening."

Sanjeev Anand, professor in the Department of Dairy and Food Science, was Kaushik’s mentor and supervising professor.

"Rakesh was a highly dedicated student who conducted exceptional research, resulting in three peer-reviewed publications and numerous presentations at professional meetings and workshops,” Anand said. “Furthermore, he received several awards and recognitions that reflect his overall academic achievements, exemplifying an ideal graduate journey.”

Kaushik, originally from Rohtak, Haryana, in India, is currently employed as an associate product development scientist with HP Hood LLC in Wilmington, Massachusetts. His award-winning thesis addressed the positive impact of incorporating soluble fibers during the cheese-ripening process, suppressing spoilage.

“These findings offer a promising approach for the dairy industry to naturally enhance cheese quality, safety and shelf life without affecting cheese characteristics,” Kaushik explained. “Additionally, this concept has broader potential for functional dairy innovation, linking microbial ecology, food safety and consumer health.”

Kaushik’s research was funded by the Midwest Dairy Association.

“We are very grateful for Rakesh’s hard work on his thesis and congratulate him and his advisor, Dr. Sanjeev Anand, on this award,” Londa Nwadike, David A.Thompson Endowed Department Head of Dairy and Food Science, said. “We have many excellent students, faculty and staff in our department and college that made this award possible, and it is an honor to have one of our students receive this prestigious recognition.”

Kaushik said he was grateful for the award. “I feel deeply honored and humbled to receive this recognition for my master’s research. This achievement reflects not only my efforts but also the invaluable mentorship, encouragement and vision of Dr. Anand, whose guidance was instrumental in shaping my scientific curiosity and professional growth.

“I am also sincerely grateful to my family for their constant love, patience and belief in me throughout my academic journey. Their support, along with the strong research environment at SDSU, has been the foundation of my success,” Kaushik added. “This recognition motivates me to continue pursuing innovative research that advances dairy science and benefits the industry.”

Kaushik’s thesis has been submitted to the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools for consideration at the regional level.