Rate My Professor Stephen On

Stephen On's academic interests focus on microbial taxonomy, diagnostics for foodborne pathogens of humans and animals using phenotypic and molecular methods, molecular epidemiology of antibiotic resistance, and microbial contributions to wine and beer production, spoilage, and safety. Current projects encompass Arcobacter characterisation, advanced photonic methods for bacteria, proteomics of winemaking yeast, metagenomics of wild-fermented wines, and biocontrol of Vibrio. He has authored over 170 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, accumulating more than 9,000 citations with an h-index of 44. His contributions have earned awards including the 2001 WH Pierce Memorial Prize from the Society for Applied Microbiology for outstanding bacteriology work, the 2014 New Zealand Business Events Award for hosting the 18th International Workshop on Campylobacter, Helicobacter and Related Organisms, and the 2017 New Zealand Microbiological Society Distinguished Orator Award. Professor On chairs the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes subcommittee on Campylobacter and related bacteria taxonomy, serves as ICSP Secretary for Subcommittees, edits a major food microbiology journal as Editor-in-Chief, has supervised 15 PhD students to completion, and advises the World Health Organization, New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, World Bank Global Food Safety Partnership, and food industry as an expert witness.