Education
Ph. D. (Food Science), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Affiliations
Associate Director of Agricultural Research Program
Director of Center for Food Safety Engineering Center

Research
The study of growth and inactivation of foodborne pathogens in different foods. Specific interest on studying the heat inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes under varying environmental conditions. Developing novel methods for non-thermal inactivation of pathogens in fresh fruit and vegetable products. Applied research efforts have been dedicated to developing food safety and quality programs as well as performing microbial assessments of food processing and food preparation environments.

Extension
Retail food safety training and retail food handler certification programs
HACCP education and training for the meat and poultry, seafood, and juice industries
GMP and sanitation training for the food industry
Better Process Control School for low acid and acidified foods
Executive board member for a) The Conference for Food Protection and b)The International HACCP Alliance