Experience

On Medical Grounds

• United States
• Online Audio and Video Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Science writer and podcast host

  • Oct 2021 - Present

  Remote I write peer-reviewed medical articles, training media and podcasts for the medical community and science curious.



American Council on Science and Health

• United States
• Wellness and Fitness Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Contributing Writer

  • Oct 2021 - Present

  Remote I research and write popular articles on food safety and quality for the science-curious public. Our goal at ACSH is to counter misinformation with data-based science and expert knowledge.



Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Food Safety Writer

  • Jan 2020 - Present

  Remote I write about diverse topics such as raw milk, plant-based meat alternatives and the effects of climate change on food safety. I interview internationally-recognized thought leaders for their views on food safety, especially in regard to changes wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.



Caldwell Food Safety LLC

• Food Safety Consultant

  • Jul 2021 - Present

  Springfield, Missouri, United States Using expert knowledge and data-driven decision-making, we endeavor to assist food and animal food producers and suppliers with their safety plans, risk assessments, preventive controls, internal audits, validation studies, certifications, research and development. Our goal is to reduce company risk, prevent recalls, facilitate audits, lower personnel costs, add value to product lines, assist in compliance with regulations and guidance, aid in discovery and new product development, and… Show more Using expert knowledge and data-driven decision-making, we endeavor to assist food and animal food producers and suppliers with their safety plans, risk assessments, preventive controls, internal audits, validation studies, certifications, research and development. Our goal is to reduce company risk, prevent recalls, facilitate audits, lower personnel costs, add value to product lines, assist in compliance with regulations and guidance, aid in discovery and new product development, and streamline documentation and monitoring; helping our clients provide consumers with safe, wholesome and consistently great products. Show less



Merieux NutriSciences - Springfield, MO

• Laboratory Director

  • Nov 2020 - Jul 2021



Mérieux NutriSciences - North America

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director of Microbiology & Research

  • Jun 2020 - Nov 2020

  Springfield, Missouri, United States



Chestnut Labs

• Director of Microbiology and Research

  • Apr 2019 - Jun 2020

  Springfield, Missouri Area



Caldwell Food Safety LLC

• Owner and Principal Consultant

  • Dec 2018 - Apr 2019

  Greater Omaha Area



Midwest Laboratories

• United States
• Environmental Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Assistant Technical Director

  • Apr 2017 - Dec 2018

  13611 B Street, Omaha NE 68144 Midwest Laboratories is located on an 11-building campus in the heart of Omaha, Nebraska. We are the largest privately-owned agricultural testing lab in the United States, providing ISO 17025 accredited analytics in agriculture, animal feed, environmental, food and beverage, fuel, home and business, and pet food areas. The divisions include Microbiology, Chromatography, Wet Chemistry, Organics, HPLC, Foods, Feeds, Sustainable Agriculture, Compost, Manures, Environmental and Drinking Waters, and… Show more Midwest Laboratories is located on an 11-building campus in the heart of Omaha, Nebraska. We are the largest privately-owned agricultural testing lab in the United States, providing ISO 17025 accredited analytics in agriculture, animal feed, environmental, food and beverage, fuel, home and business, and pet food areas. The divisions include Microbiology, Chromatography, Wet Chemistry, Organics, HPLC, Foods, Feeds, Sustainable Agriculture, Compost, Manures, Environmental and Drinking Waters, and Soils. The Assistant Technical Director (ATD) at Midwest Laboratories, works beside the Technical Director to oversee both the technical and quality aspects. Knowledge of USDA, FDA, EPA, AOAC, ISO, CMMEF and IDF methodologies is required to create protocols which meet governmental guidelines and regulations. The technical duties involve procedure validation including statistical analysis, new method development, assessing client requests for special projects, supplying clients with official guidance and regulations, repairing and ordering equipment, training staff, advising supervisors, writing business cases, projecting future needs and goals in each department. The ATD works closely with the Quality Assurance Director in preparing for audits, creating spreadsheets and training documents, verification of lab control samples, proofing proficiency testing and check samples, and writing and enforcing quality procedures such as OOS, CAR, PAR and DOC. As the scientific face of Midwest Labs, the ATD creates and presents online webinars, face-to-face seminars and white papers as part of the company’s community outreach, education and client services. As their PCQI and HACCP-certified specialist, the ATD assists clients with their questions on FSMA compliance, food nutrient and pet food labels. Finally, account managers and client service representatives are updated on technical matters, providing scripts and checklists for ease of client communication. Show less



TransAgra International Inc.

• United States
• Wholesale
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Research and Development

  • Jan 2015 - Apr 2017

  Storm Lake, IA As Director of R & D I have improved product formulations, streamlined the industrial fermentation procedure, updated SOPs, GMPs and FSMA requirements for Animal Food, reduced production costs, obtained foreign registrations, assisted in SQF safe food/safe feed audits and created new products. Through published articles in noted industry trade journals, I have increased awareness of our products and introduced the term "abiotic" to the popular press. I am interested in creating effective… Show more As Director of R & D I have improved product formulations, streamlined the industrial fermentation procedure, updated SOPs, GMPs and FSMA requirements for Animal Food, reduced production costs, obtained foreign registrations, assisted in SQF safe food/safe feed audits and created new products. Through published articles in noted industry trade journals, I have increased awareness of our products and introduced the term "abiotic" to the popular press. I am interested in creating effective alternatives to antibiotics in animals feeds. These would include probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and abiotics. I am involved in writing business plans and acquiring venture capital for new product lines. I enjoy working with my TransAgra team to create effective solutions for farmers in the twenty-first century. Show less



North Carolina State University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• PhD - Graduate Research Assistant

  • 2012 - 2014

  Raleigh, NC As a non-traditional PhD student I developed and patented a new method for validating and monitoring thermal processing of high- and low-acid vegetables and fruits.



US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS)

• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Microbiology technician

  • Sep 2008 - May 2012

  I was manager of the USDA Food Science Research Unit microbiology and food safety lab. We worked primarily with the pathogen E. coli O157:H7, looking at survival times under various temperatures, pH values, acid concentrations and in competition with lactic acid fermenters such as Lactobacillus plantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. I discovered, isolated and characterized a novel pickle spoilage organism, Pectinatus sottacetonis. I developed a multiplex qPCR panel for detection of… Show more I was manager of the USDA Food Science Research Unit microbiology and food safety lab. We worked primarily with the pathogen E. coli O157:H7, looking at survival times under various temperatures, pH values, acid concentrations and in competition with lactic acid fermenters such as Lactobacillus plantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. I discovered, isolated and characterized a novel pickle spoilage organism, Pectinatus sottacetonis. I developed a multiplex qPCR panel for detection of spoilage organisms in pickle brines. I performed in-phase, complete gene, knock-out assays using red lambda helper plasmid. I created high-titer bacteriophage stocks. I was the ‘go-to’ molecular technician in the unit, helping students and colleagues with DNA sequencing setup and software, BLAST analysis, Clustal W alignments and primer/probe development. I maintained, calibrated, repaired and managed service contracts for valuable and complex equipment including Spiral Plater, Coy Anaerobic Chamber, Sorval centrifuges, PCR thermal cyclers, microscope and camera, refrigerators, ultra-low temp freezers, spectrophotometers, 96-well plate readers and pipetters. Show less



NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine

• Laboratory Coordinator

  • Aug 2004 - Sep 2008

  I managed the Aquatic Epidemiology lab and developed real-time PCR assays to detect bacterial pathogens and fecal contaminants using eukaryotic mitochondrial DNA in environmental surface waters and effluents. We submitted an invention disclosure (pre-patent) with the NCSU Office of Technology Transfer on these protocols. Other research topics included validation of ARISA (Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Assay) utilizing an Applied Biosystems sequencer for profiling bacterial diversity… Show more I managed the Aquatic Epidemiology lab and developed real-time PCR assays to detect bacterial pathogens and fecal contaminants using eukaryotic mitochondrial DNA in environmental surface waters and effluents. We submitted an invention disclosure (pre-patent) with the NCSU Office of Technology Transfer on these protocols. Other research topics included validation of ARISA (Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Assay) utilizing an Applied Biosystems sequencer for profiling bacterial diversity in freshwater mussels and environmental surface waters and the development of quick, inexpensive field methods for E. coli and Enterococcus spp. enumeration. Also, I developed a LAMP (an iso-thermal loop-mediated amplification assay) for detection of Leptospira in blood and urine samples. Show less



NCSU Department of Zoology

• Research Assistant

  • Aug 2002 - Jan 2004

  Basic research included studies of pituitary cell function and growth regulation in fish. I validated real-time RT-PCR assays to quantitate gene expression of various growth factors and osmoregulatory hormones. As lab manager, I supervised over a dozen researchers including post-docs, graduate students, visiting scientists and undergrads. I initiated cooperative research projects with several other labs in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and the College of Engineering.



NCSU

• Research Technician III

  • Apr 2000 - Aug 2002

  I conducted research characterizing and measuring microbial enzymes such as superoxide dismutases and hydroperoxidases. I isolated and characterized Azotobacter spp., Shewanella spp. and Deinococcus radiodurans. I scheduled departmental equipment use and maintenance and provided technical leadership in operation of equipment, safety and radiation standards. I supervised and documented personnel and procedures.

• Research Technician

  • Sep 1999 - Apr 2000

  I maintained bacterial cultures and freezer stocks; optimized growth media for production of novel proteases and conducted protease assays, PCR, SDS-PAGE and agarose gel electrophoresis. I also cloned and purified DNA for sequencing, submitted invention disclosures for novel proteases while supervising graduate and work study students. Finally I complied with radiation and safety standards.



NC Department of Agriculture Beneficial Insects

• Research Assistant

  • Feb 1996 - Jun 1997

  I provided laboratory and clerical support for the investigation of cereal leaf beetle, its parasitoids and infestations of ladybird beetles. I visited NCDA farms to collect and analyze samples. When necessary, I responded to public entomological complaints.



North Carolina Extension Service

• NC Extension Specialist

  • Jan 1981 - Jan 1983

  Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area I worked with the North Carolina poultry industry to develop curriculum for public school teachers and 4-H leaders. I produced 4-H publications for Embryology, many are still used today. I judged state and national poultry shows and was a spokesperson for the Poultry Science Association. I trained poultry judging teams and gave BBQ and egg cookery demonstrations for 4-H clubs statewide.