Dr. John Hayes

a headshot of Dr. HayesDr. John Hayes

Professor

Department:  Food Science
College:  College of Agricultural Sciences
Address: 220 Erickson Food Science Building
Phone:  814-863-7129
E-mail:  jeh40@psu.edu
Website:  http://foodscience.psu.edu/directory/jeh40

 

 

Oral Sensation, Food liking, and Eating Behavior
Dr. Hayes’ research group studies food choices using a biobehavioral framework, by integrated Sensory & Consumer Science tools with the study of individual differences across people to understand factors that cause individuals to like and consume some foods but not others. Past examples include the role of personality traits on liking and intake of spicy food and craft beers and the influence of bitter taste gene variants on sensations from alcohol and sweeteners. Recent projects explore texture perception of various foods, including chocolate, and factors that influence spiciness perception from capsaicin, the chemical found in chili peppers. Vaccination is required to work in this lab.

Chemosensory loss and recovery with COVID19
Our research group is actively looking at connections between COVID19 and the loss of smell, taste and chemesthesis (chemical touch). Studies include both online surveys and remote testing of participants, as well as in-person lab-based research. No contact with actively ill individuals is expected or required for students working on these projects. Vaccination is required to work in this lab.