Graduate Student Program
Launch Your Career in Food Safety at NMSU
Step Into a Program That Blends Science, Service, and Career Growth
Are you ready to move beyond the classroom and apply your scientific knowledge to real-world challenges? The NMSU Food Safety Laboratory offers a unique graduate assistantship program that combines cutting-edge research with industry service. Here, you won’t just be another graduate student; you’ll be a student analyst at the forefront of food safety testing, working directly with producers, processors, and regulators to safeguard our food supply.
This is more than a research position. It’s a career accelerator designed to prepare you for leadership in academia, government, and industry.
Program Benefits & Support
Our program is built on the belief that graduate students are the driving force of innovation and impact in our lab. We provide the resources, training, and mentorship you need to thrive—academically, professionally, and personally.
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Real-World Experience Beyond the Classroom
From day one, you’ll gain hands-on experience that bridges the gap between theory and practice. As a student analyst, you'll:- Perform analytical testing for New Mexico’s food producers and processors.
- Learn to navigate the regulatory frameworks and quality standards shaping today’s food industry.
- Develop professional communication skills through direct client interaction.
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Mentorship That Fuels Growth
You'll be supported by a Faculty Lab Director and a Lead Laboratory Technician, ensuring daily access to guidance and expertise. This dual-mentorship model strengthens both your technical and professional development, preparing you to become a confident, independent scientist.
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Integrating Work & Research
Your role in the lab doesn't just support the industry; it supports your academic journey. The data you generate and the challenges you encounter can inspire a thesis or dissertation project that is both applied and impactful, leading to publications, conference presentations, and strong career visibility.
The Student Analyst Experience
As a student analyst, you are at the heart of our laboratory's mission. You will be trained to become a meticulous and proficient scientist, gaining a skill set that is directly transferable to top positions in industry, government, and academia.
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Hands-On Analytical Excellence
You will master a wide range of classical and modern methodologies for food safety testing. You will operate state-of-the-art instrumentation and learn to work within a rigorous quality management system, adhering to strict ISO 17025 standards that will prepare you for any regulated laboratory environment.
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Thesis & Dissertation Opportunities
The unique challenges presented by our industry partners provide fertile ground for novel research. Potential projects could include developing new methods for pathogen detection, using Next-Generation Sequencing for source tracking, investigating spoilage mechanisms in local products, or validating new food processing and preservation technologies.
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Unparalleled Career Preparation
Upon graduation, you won't just have a degree; you'll have a resume packed with tangible, in-demand skills and experience. Our alumni are prepared for high-level careers as:- QA/QC Managers in multinational food companies
- Research Scientists in federal agencies like the FDA and USDA
- Faculty and Researchers in academia
- Technical Specialists at diagnostic and biotechnology firms
- Entrepreneurs in the food tech space
Classical microbiology, molecular tools, ISO 17025 compliance
Pathogen detection, spoilage, sequencing, and processing validation
Mentorship, real-world experience.
Analytical testing for real producers + client communication.
Careers in FDA, USDA, global food companies, and food tech startups.
How to Apply
Admission to our program is competitive. We are looking for passionate, dedicated, and detail-oriented students who are eager to contribute to a safer food supply.
Step 1: Express Your Interest
Before applying, we encourage you to contact the Lab Director, Dr. Luis Sabillón, via email at lsabillo@nmsu.edu. Please include your CV and a brief statement of your research interests and career goals. This helps us assess alignment with our lab’s mission and projects.
Step 2: Formally Apply to the NMSU Graduate School
All prospective students must complete a formal application through the NMSU Graduate School. You should apply for admission to one of our affiliated graduate programs:
Application Deadlines
Please refer to the NMSU Graduate School website for official application deadlines. Assistantship positions are filled on a rolling basis, so early applications are highly encouraged.
Take the next step toward becoming a leader in food safety. Your career starts here.
Student Testimonials
Current Graduate Analyst
"Working as a student analyst at the NMSU Food Safety Lab gave me more than lab skills—it gave me confidence. I learned how to run analyses under strict quality standards, communicate results to real food companies, and connect my thesis research to industry challenges. By the time I graduated, I had a degree, publications, and job offers lined up."
Former Graduate Analyst
Class of 2025. "The fully funded assistantship was a game-changer. It allowed me to completely focus on my studies and my work without financial stress. The program is designed for you to succeed. You're not just a pair of hands; you're a respected member of a team whose work matters. That environment, combined with the hands-on responsibility, is what truly prepared me for my current role in the food industry."