Kansas State University

Graduate Student Profiles
(Ph.D. Program)

Ainul Z. Abu Baker

Degree(s):
  • M.B.A. Graduate School of Management, University Putra Malaysia
  • B.S. Nutrition and Community of Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Putra Malaysia
Research Interest:
Services Marketing, Consumer Behavior, and Branding
Professional Experience:
  • Graduate Research Assistant: Dept. of HMD, Kansas State University, KS
  • Tutor at Department of Foodservice and Management, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University Putra Malaysia
  • Graduate Research Assistant: Faculty of Business and Management, University Putra Malaysia.
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant: Graduate School of Management, University Putra Malaysia
E-mail:

Tzu-Ting (Maureen) Kao

Degree(s):
  • M.H.R.I.M. Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania
  • B.A. Tourism, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan
Research Interest:
Lodging E-Commerce
Professional Experience:
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant, HMD 362 Practicum in Loding, HMD 424 Hospitality Marketing and Sales, Kansas State University, KS
  • Account Manager of Catering Sales, Sheraton Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Director of Sales and Marketing, Days Inn Hotel, Parsippany, New Jersey
  • Front Desk & Guest Services, The Penn Stater Conference Center, State College, Pennsylvania
  • Service Coordinator, The Ritz Landis Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Intern, The Grand Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan
E-mail:

Wansoo Kim

Degree(s):
  • M.S. Hospitality Management, University of Houston, TX
  • B.S. Tourism, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
Research Interest:
Restaurant Operation, Relationship Marketing, Consumer Behavior, and Organizational Behavior
Professional Experience:
  • Front Server: Shilla Korean Cuisine, Houston, TX
  • Night Auditor: Doubletree Hotel at Allen Center, Houston, TX
  • In-seat Server: Aramark’s at Minute Field, Houston, TX
  • Researcher: Korea Tourism Development Institute, Seoul, Korea
  • Researcher: Korea Culture & Tourism Policy Institute, Seoul, Korea
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant: HMD 422 Cost Controls in Hospitality Operations, Kansas State University, KS
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant: HMD 664 Lodging Management Theory, Kansas State University, KS
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant: HMD 424 Hospitality Marketing & Sales, Kansas State University, KS
E-mail:

Kuei-I (Carrie) Lee

Degree(s):
  • M.S. Foodservice Hospitality Management, Kansas State University, KS
  • B.S. Department of Food and Beverage Management, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan
Research Interest:
Child Nutrition Program, Food Production Management, Senior Care Foodservice Management
Professional Experience:
  • Graduate Research Assistant, Targeted of Excellence Program, Kansas State University, KS
  • Kitchen Manager, Housing and Dining Center, Kansas State University, KS
  • Graduate Research Assistant, Kansas State University, KS
  • Internship, USD 383 Manhattan/Ogden Public School, KS
E-mail:

Sue Leson

Degree(s):
  • M.S. in Food and Nutrition, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
  • B.S. in Food and Nutrition, College of St. Teresa, Winona, MN
  • Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
  • L.D. Licensed Dietitians, Ohio
  • R.D. Registered Dietitians, American Dietetic Association
Research Interest:
Food Systems in Long-Term Care, Institutional Customer Satisfaction
Professional Experience:
  • Director, Dietetic Technician Program, Younstown State University
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
  • Director of Food and Nutrition Services, St. Joseph Hospital, Elgin, IL
  • Nutrition Care Coordinator, St. Joseph Hospital, Elgin, IL
  • Clinical Dietitian, Holy Family Hospital, Des Plaines, IL
  • Dietetic Internship, Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, OH
E-mail:

Laura McKnight

Degree(s):
  • Master in Public Health (MPH), Idaho State University, ID
  • B.S. in Dietetics, Idaho State University, ID
Research Interest:
Dietetics Education, Service Learning, Management Careers in Dietetics
Professional Experience:
  • Clinical Associate Professor/DPD Director, Idaho State University, ID
  • Dietitian/Purchaser for School District #25, Pocatello, ID
  • Clinical Dietitian/Clinical Dietetics Coordinator for Pocatello Regional Medical Center, Pocatello, ID
E-mail:

David Olds

Degree(s):
  • M.S. Foodservice and Lodging Management, Iowa State University
  • B.S. Hotel, Restaurant, & Institution Management, Iowa State University
Research Interest:
Customers' Ethnic Foodservice Perceptions, Food Production Management Strategies, Environmental and Waste Management Strategies in Foodservice, Rapid Microbiological Detection methods in Foodservice, Food Safety, Food Security
Professional Experience:
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant: HMD 341 Principles of Food Production Management, HMD 420 Environmental Issues in Hospitality, HMD 421 Hospitality Service Systems, Kansas State University, KS
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant: HRI 380L Quantity Foods Production Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
  • Over 20 years of work experience in restaurant, private clubs, and hospitals (General Manager, Executive Chef, Sous Chef, Cater, and Cook)
E-mail:
Web Site:
http://www.davidolds.com

WooMi J. Phillips

Degree(s):
  • M.S. Hospitality Management, Conrad N. Hilton College, University of Houston, TX
  • B.S. Hotel and Restaurant Management, Kansas State University, KS
Research Interest:
Tourism Marketing, Destination Marketing, Tourist Behavior, Tourism Market Analysis
Professional Experience:
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant, HMD 424 Hospitality Sales and Marketing, Kansas State University, KS
  • Graduate Research Assistant, USDA Food Safety, Kansas State University, KS
  • Teaching Assistant, Gaming Management Online Course, University of Houston, TX
  • Information Technology Administrative Assistant, University of Houston, TX
  • Front Office, Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts, Houston, TX
  • Front Office, Radisson Hotel and Convention Center Hobby Airport, Pasadena, TX
E-mail:

Kevin Sauer

Degree(s):
  • M.S. Foodservice, Hospitality Management & Administrative Dietetics, Kansas State University, KS
  • B.S. Dietetics, Kansas State University, KS
Research Interest:
Career Path Determinants of Dietetics Professionals, Career and Job Burnout in Dietetics Practice, Management and Leadership in Dietetics Practice
Professional Experience:
  • Instructor: HN 413 Science of Food Lab, HMD 422 Cost Controls for Hospitality Operations, HMD 560 Management in Dietetics, HMD 561 Management in Dietetics Practicum, Kansas State University, KS
  • Research Assistant and Funding: Grant Project: "Development of a Proposed Methodology for Assessing Career Development in Dietetics Professionals"
  • Industry Experience: School Foodservice and Child Nutrition Programs, College and University Dining, Business and Industry Dining, Catering, Healthcare Food & Nutrition Administration
E-mail:

Wen-Shen (Fiona) Yen

Degree(s):
  • M.S. Restaurant, Hotel and Institution Management, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan
  • B.A. Food and Beverage Management, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan
Research Interest:
Senior Care Foodservice Management, Musculoskeletal Discomfort in Hospitality Industry
Professional Experience:
  • Graduate Research Assistant: USDA Food Safety, Kansas State University, KS
  • Instructor: Meal planning, Jin Wen University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Research Assistant: Developed standard criteria for vocational courses. Executive Yuan, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Graduate Research Assistant: Low-Back Musculoskeletal Issues in the Workplace. Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Teaching Assistant: Western Culinary, French Culinary and Nutrition, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan
E-mail: