Sunniva Hoel

Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Sunniva Hoel is a leading researcher in food safety and microbial ecology, with a primary focus on understanding and controlling bacterial contamination in food processing environments. Her work centers on the impact of cleaning and disinfection (C&D) protocols on bacterial communities, particularly in salmon and broiler processing plants. Hoel’s major contributions include demonstrating that standard C&D procedures can paradoxically shift microbial populations, often enriching for resilient spoilage organisms like *Pseudomonas* rather than eliminating them. Her 2024 study on salmon processing revealed that while C&D reduced overall bacterial load, it significantly increased the relative abundance of *Pseudomonas* in the core microbiota. In her 2025 work on broiler processing, she employed robotic high-throughput screening to show that industry-standard C&D fails to fully eradicate biofilms, leaving persistent bacterial reservoirs. These findings, which have already garnered nearly 20 citations in just two years, are critical for improving sanitation strategies in the food industry. Hoel’s innovative use of advanced screening technologies and her focus on biofilm resilience mark her as a rising authority in food microbiology and industrial hygiene.