Rate My Professor Crystal van Gorp

Crystal van Gorp, born and bred in Dunedin, New Zealand, completed her undergraduate Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Food Science at the University of Otago. During the summer period of 2021-2022, she undertook further study within the Department of Food Science, where she developed five different plant-based yoghurts using plant-based milk alternatives. In 2022, she completed her postgraduate BSc (Honours) degree in Food Science at the University of Otago. Her honours research focused on the analysis of volatile compounds in e-liquids sold in New Zealand, employing gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques.

Between the end of 2022 and 2023, Crystal van Gorp gained industrial experience at Fonterra as a Laboratory Technician in the Chemistry and Sensory department, as well as in GC-MS research and development. Since the end of 2023, she has served as Senior Laboratory Technician - Food Grade in the Department of Food Science at the University of Otago, assisting with the smooth operation of the Food Grade teaching laboratories. She also holds the role of Laboratory Technician – Food Grade Disability Support. As a member of the operational and technical leaders in the Food Safety Culture Lab, she is an experienced laboratory technician specialising in food-grade systems and day-to-day food safety practice. She supports teaching and research laboratories through operational oversight, risk management, and food safety compliance, while playing a key role in fostering practical food safety awareness among Food Science students. Her office is located in the Portacom, with hours from 8:00am to 4:00pm, and she can be reached at +64 3 479 7544.