ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre>About Us>Veronika Bulochova

 

Sergio Ardu

Veronika Bulochova
Academic Associate (PhD)
Email: vbulochova@cardiffmet.ac.uk
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My role at the ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre

In May 2021, I was awarded the first ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre PhD scholarship to undertake a PhD research project, focused on determining the food safety culture in the hospitality and catering sector utilising real-time data and novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

This research project is a multidisciplinary collaboration between the ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre (FIC) (Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences), Welsh Centre for Tourism Research (Cardiff School of Management). It is also a multinational collaboration with the University of Canberra, Australia.

Impact of the Project

In light of the fact that a large proportion of foodborne disease incidents is associated with food service establishments, more attention needs to be directed to support and improve food safety in this sector. Organisational aspects such as strong leadership, motivation, commitment, risk perception, positive attitude and availability of resources must work harmoniously to drive the food safety culture forward and ensure the food safety.

  • Therefore, this research will obtain an in-depth cognitive understanding of food safety culture in catering establishments in Wales.
  • The Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies will be developed to ascertain compliance of specific food safety behaviours in food service sector.
  • Targeted mechanisms for improvement of food safety culture in food service and hospitality sector will be developed and piloted.
  • The study will provide the mechanisms to improve the implementation of risk-reducing behaviours in food service and hospitality sector and reduce incidents of foodborne disease.

Supervisory Team

  • Dr Elizabeth Redmond, Senior Research Fellow, Food Industry Centre, (Director of Studies)
  • Dr Ellen Evans, Research Fellow, Food Industry Centre, (Academic Supervisor)
  • Dr Claire Haven-Tang, Associate Dean (Research), Cardiff School of Management (Academic Supervisor)
  • Dr Ambikesh Jayal, University of Canberra, Australia (Academic Supervisor)

Previous Experience  

After graduating from the University of Glamorgan with a BSc In Human Biology, I then gained 12 years industry experience working in the food service and hospitality sector.

In 2020, I was awarded an MSc in Food Science and Technology (Distinction) from the Cardiff Metropolitan University specialising in Food Safety. My Masters’ research project focused on the safety of pet owners who provide raw meat-based diets to domestic pets, which has resulted in two research papers published by the Journal of Food Protection.

I am now working on my PhD research project, after I was awarded the first ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre scholarship in May 2021. 


Qualifications and Professional Memberships

Qualifications

  • MSc Food Science and Technology (Food Safety), Cardiff University (2018-2020)
  • BSc Human Biology (2006-2009), University of Glamorgan (2006-2009)
  • RSPH Food Safety for Food Manufacturing Level 3, RSPH Identifying and Controlling Food Allergy Risks Level 2 & RSPH Understanding how to develop a HACCP Plan (2019)
  • CPL Learning Food Safety Level 2, CPL Learning Fire Awareness & CPL Learning Health and Safety (2018)
  • CPL Learning Allergen Awareness (2017)

Professional Memberships

  • Student member of the International Association of Food Protection (IAFP)
  • Student Member of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST)


Journals and Publications

Peer Reviewed Research Publications

  • Bulochova, V. & Evans, E. W. (2021) “Exploring food safety perceptions and self-reported practices of pet owners, providing raw meat-based diets to pets.” Journal of Food Protection.
  • Bulochova, V. & Evans, E. W. (2021) “Raw Meat–Based Pet Feeding and Food Safety: Netnography Study of Pet Owner Comments and Review of Manufacturers' Information Provision” Journal of Food Protection 84 (12): 2099–2108.

Event Participation

  • Bulochova, V. & Evans, E.W. (2019) “A netnography study of consumer food safety perceptions and practices relating to raw meat pet diets”. Poster presented at the 17th Annual UK Association for Food Protection Conference, Cardiff, UK. 23 October 2019. 
  • Bulochova, V. and Evans, E.W. (2020) Exploring the perceptions and practices of pet-owners and provision of food safety information regarding raw meat-based pet diets. Poster presented at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Virtual Annual Meeting. 26-28 October 2020.
  • Bulochova, V. and Evans, E.W. (2021) Exploring perceptions and self-reported food safety practices of pet owners, providing raw meat-based diets to pets. Poster presented at: International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) European Symposium on Food Safety - A Virtual Meeting. 27-28 April 2021.
  • Bulochova, V and Evans, E.W. (2021) A Netnography Study Relating to Raw Meat-based Diets for Pets. Poster presented at the 2021 Consumer Food Safety Education (CFSE) Virtual Conference Poster Session. 10-11 March 2021.  
  • Bulochova, V. & Evans, E.W. (2021) “Investigating potential food safety risks associated with raw food diets for companion pets in the UK.” The Global Food Safety Incidents and Emergency Response Conference 2021, Hosted by the FSA, 22 October 2021.