Research Interests
Fish and shellfish compositions and analysis, chemical and microbial food safety, unit processing operations for aquatic food and industrial product production, product development, and quality assurance and control.

Personal Information
Dr. George J. Flick, Jr. received his B.A. degree in Chemistry from Louisiana State University in 1963. He was awarded the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Food Science and Technology from Louisiana State University in 1965 and 1969 respectively. He served in the U.S. armed forces (159th Fighter Interceptor Squadron) from 1963 to 1969 and was awarded an Honorable Discharge. Dr. Flick has been a visiting professor in the Department of Marine Biochemistry, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan and the Chemistry Department, National University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico. Dr. Flick joined the Food Science and Technology Department at Virginia Tech in 1969 as an Assistant Professor. In 1996, he was promoted to University Distinguished Professor. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Current Projects
George Flick's research projects are primarily concerned with the utilization of wild and aquacultured fish and shellfish for food, feed, and industrial products. The main beneficiaries of the program are seafood producers (including aquaculture enterprises), processors, retailers, and the food service industry. Most federal funding for his projects are provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Commerce. He has been active with several industry associations and professional organizations, including the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), Central Atlantic States Association of Food and Drug Officials (CASA), American Chemical Society (ACS), International Association for Food Protection, and World Aquaculture Society (WAS).

Currently, three doctoral candidates and three laboratory assistants are working on the following topics: the effect of alternative processing operations (high pressure, irradiation, thermal energy) on survival of the parasite, Cryptosporidium parvum, in oysters (Crassostrea virginica); the effects of harvesting, processing and distribution on the formation of histamine and other biogenic amines in major commercial mid-Atlantic fish species; the presence and dynamics of Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria species in ready-to-eat fish and shellfish products (i.e., smoked fish, crab meat, shrimp); and the effects of thermal processing on the quality and safety of pasteurized blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) meat.

Recent Publications

Books

2000. Martin, R.E., E.P. Carter, G.J. Flick, Jr., and L.M. Davis. Marine & Freshwater Products Handbook. Technomic Publishing Co., Inc. Lancaster, PA. 913 pages.

Chapters in Books

2004. Flick, Jr., G.J. and L.A. Granata. Biogenic Amines in Foods. In: Toxins in Food. (W.M. Dabrowski and Z.E. Sikorski, Eds.). Pp. 121-154. CRC Press., Boca Raton, FL.

2000. Flick, Jr., G.J. and R.R. Martin. Leather Production from Fish Skins. In: Marine and Freshwater Products Handbook. (R.E. Martin, E.P. Carter, G.F. Flick, Jr., and L.M. Davis, Eds.). Pp. 599-604. Technomic Publishing Co., Inc., Lancaster, PA.

2000. Flick, Jr., G.J. and R.R. Martin. Gelatin and Isinglass Production. In: Marine and Freshwater Products Handbook. (R.E. Martin, E.P. Carter, G.F. Flick, Jr., and L.M. Davis, Eds.). Pp. 605-612. Technomic Publishing Co., Inc., Lancaster, PA.

2000. Flick, Jr., G.J. and R.R. Martin. Insulin. In: Marine and Freshwater Products Handbook. (R.E. Martin, E.P. Carter, G.F. Flick, Jr., and L.M. Davis, Eds.). Pp. 613-618. Technomic Publishing Co., Inc., Lancaster, PA.

2000. Flick, Jr., G.J. and R.R. Martin. Hydrolysates. In: Marine and Freshwater Products Handbook. (R.E. Martin, E.P. Carter, G.F. Flick, Jr., and L.M. Davis, Eds.). Pp. 619-626. Technomic Publishing Co., Inc., Lancaster, PA.

2000. Flick, Jr., G.J. and R.R. Martin. Chitin and Chitosan. In: Marine and Freshwater Products Handbook. (R.E. Martin, E.P. Carter, G.F. Flick, Jr., and L.M. Davis, Eds.). Pp. 627-634. Technomic Publishing Co., Inc., Lancaster, PA.

Papers

2004. Linksay, D.S., M.V. Collins, S.M. Mitchell, C.N. Wetch, A.C. Rosypal, G.J. Flick, A.M. Zajac, A. Lindquist, and J.P. Dubey. Survival of Toxoplasma gondii in Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Journal of Parasitology. 90(5):1054-1057.

2004. King, R.K., G.J. Flick, Jr., M.D. Pierson, S.A. Smith, G.D. Boardman, and C.W. Coale, Jr. Identification of Bacterial Pathogens in biofilms of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems. J. Aquatic Food Product Technology. 13(1):125-133.

2003. Lindsay, D.S., M.V. Collins, S.M. Mitchell, R.A. Cole, G.J. Flick, C.N. Wetch, and J.P. Dubey. Sporulation and Survival of Toxoplasma gondii Oocycsts in Seawater. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology. 50(6):687-688.

2003. Suklim, K., G.J. Flick, Jr., J.E. Marcy, and W.E. Eigel. Effect of Starch and Egg White Albumin on the Textural and Cooking Properties of Restructured Squid Patties (Illex illecebrosus). Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology. 12(2): 47-60.

2003. King, R.K., G.J. Flick, Jr., M.D. Pierson, S.A. Smith, G.D. Boardmand, and C.W. Coale, Jr., Identification of Bacterial Pathogens in Biofilms of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems. Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology. In Press.

2002. Flick, G. J. Jr. U.S. Aquaculture is Facing an Upstream Battle. Food Technology. 56(9): 124.

2001. Lindsay, D.S., K.A. Phelps, S.A. Smith, G. Flick, S.S. Sumner, and J.P. Dubey. Removal of Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts from Sea Water by Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology. 50 (Supplement): 197S-198S.

2001. Lorca, T. A., T. M. Gingerich, M. D. Pierson, G. J. Flick, C. R. Hackney, and S. S. Sumner. Growth and Histamine Formation of Morganella morganii in Determining the Safety and Quality of Inoculated and Uninoculated Bluefish (Pomatomus saltrix). Journal of Food Protection. 64(12):2015-2019.

2001. Flick, G. J., M. P. Oria, and L. Douglas. Potential Hazards in Cold-smoked Fish: Biogenic Amines. Journal of Food Science. 66(7):S-1088 - S-1099.2001.

2001. Brenton, C.E., G.J. Flick, Jr., M.D. Pierson, R.E. Croonenberghs, and M. Pierson. Microbiological Quality and Safety of Quahog Clams, (Mercenaria mercenaria), During Refrigeration and at Elevated Stroage Temperature. Journal of Food Protection, 64(3):343-347.

2001. Gingerich, T.M., T. Lorca, G.J. Flick, Jr., H.M. McNair, and M.D. Pierson. Isolation of Histamine-producing Bacteria from Fish-processing Facilities and Fishing Vessels. Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology. 10(3):61-66.

2000. Puella, S.V., C.F. Fernandes, G.J. Flick, G.S. Libey, S.A. Smith, and C.W. Coale. Quality Comparison of Aquacultured Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) Fillets with Other Aquacultured Fish Fillets Using Subjective and Objective Sensorial Traits. Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology. 9(1):65-76.