Wan is an Assistant Professor of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences at UW-Platteville. Her research focuses on using non-thermal technologies to improve food safety and quality, with the goal of supporting more sustainable food manufacturing. She is also interested in finding new uses for food by-products and waste by turning them into valuable ingredients.
Alfalfa is a crucial crop for Wisconsin’s dairy farms, but insect pests like the alfalfa weevil can cause serious damage, leading to lower yields and higher feed costs. To help farmers manage pests without relying on chemical pesticides, this project is testing an eco-friendly solution called Plasma-Activated Water (PAW). Made by treating water with cold plasma, PAW creates natural compounds that may help strengthen plants and boost their ability to fight off pests. Wan and Sanford will explore whether PAW can serve as a safe, effective alternative to traditional pesticides, helping protect soil and water while supporting healthy crops and strong dairy farm economies.