Experience

International Fresh Produce Association

• United States
• International Trade and Development
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Chief Science Officer

  • Jan 2020 - Present

  Oversee association-wide initiatives, government relations and advocacy efforts in sustainability, regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, supply chain efficiency, ag technology innovation, sustainable packaging and food safety Oversee association-wide initiatives, government relations and advocacy efforts in sustainability, regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, supply chain efficiency, ag technology innovation, sustainable packaging and food safety



USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

• United States
• Government Administration
• 200 - 300 Employee

• • Jul 2019 - Jan 2020

  As USDA NIFA underwent relocation and reorganization, I led both divisions of the Institute of Food Safety, Nutrition and Human Health and supervised staff in DC and Kansas City. I prioritized mission-critical functions, maintained effectiveness of and ensured continuity of operations, developed staffing plans. I oversaw life-cycle management of an investment portfolio of >$150 million of competitive, capacity projects and payments to states.

• • Oct 2016 - Jan 2020

  I led (and co-led) a portfolio of competitive and capacity projects that aimed to improve food safety and catalyze small business research innovation, understand and mitigate antimicrobial resistance, harness the power of microbiomes, and define interactions in plant-biotic interactions. I critically analyzed research trends, identified research priorities and conducted strategic planning to streamline programmatic offerings. Served as an Agency Research Integrity Officer and Scientific Integrity Officer Show less



University of Florida

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• • Jul 2015 - Mar 2017

  Our research portfolio focused on interactions within host-associated microbiota, host-microbe interactions and their roles in food safety and ecosystem health. Authored/co-authored >100 publications, cited >3,000 times. I provided strategic planning, inter- and intra-group coordination and overall management of the research program. I served as a Graduate Coordinator of the Soil and Water Science Graduate Programs, and as a Director of the multi-institutional Elsevier Tropical Connections Fellowship Program (which aimed to foster leadership careers of female post-doctoral fellows). Show less

• • Jul 2014 - Jun 2015

  Research, education and outreach projects focused on ecology of human pathogens (such as non-typhoidal Salmonella and Serratia marcescens) and its implications in food safety and ecosystem health.

• • 2010 - 2015

  Research, education and outreach projects focused on ecology of human pathogens, and its implications in food safety and ecosystem health. RNA-based signaling in the legume-rhizobium symbiosis is another major research thrust. UF-HHMI Science for Life Distinguished Mentor.

• • 2005 - 2010

  Research and education projects focused on signal exchange in microbe-microbe and plant-microbe interactions, with the focus on symbiotic (legume-Rhizobium) associations. Co-recipient (with Dr. Kim Ritchie) of the Lindbergh Foundation Animal Conservation Award.



Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral

• Ecuador
• Higher Education
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Fulbright Specialist

  • 2016 - 2016

  Our goal was to build capacity through catalyzing the establishment of Ecuadorian Network for Food Safety, an academic-public-private partnership that is the first of its kind in South America. The Network's mission is to provide food safety education (at undergraduate and M.Sc. level), extension services and top-quality research on issues that are relevant to the consumers and producers in the Andean region. The Network will be the clearing house for the exchange of ideas between the industry, academic, and government organizations and NGO's, with the goal of identifying pressing research, education and extension needs and securing resources for the follow-through. A program for professional development of female scientists was also initiated. Show less



Smithsonian Institution

• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 700 & Above Employee

• G.E. Burch Fellow in Theoretical Medicine

  • 2012 - 2016

  Burch Fellowship focused on understanding mechanisms of microbiome transitions, chemical ecology and signal exchange within host microbiota leading to a dysbiotic polymicrobial disease of corals (Black Band Disease). Two new coral diseases were also characterized Burch Fellowship focused on understanding mechanisms of microbiome transitions, chemical ecology and signal exchange within host microbiota leading to a dysbiotic polymicrobial disease of corals (Black Band Disease). Two new coral diseases were also characterized



The Ohio State University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Post-doctoral scientist

  • 2003 - 2005

  Research focused on mechanisms of Salmonella virulence and biofilm formation Research focused on mechanisms of Salmonella virulence and biofilm formation