AOAC OMB Nomination Review (June 12, 2019)

Note: Only relevant job experience is included. A full employment record is available upon request.

Principal Accomplishments of Most Relevance to this Application: Conducted/coordinated AOAC validation studies for Molecular Diagnostic Test Kits. In this role I led a team of scientists and technicians and have been study director for collaborative studies involving up to 15 government, industry and university laboratories. Coordinated university-based development work for enrichment protocols to be used with molecular food diagnostic test kits. For the last twelve years have worked with customers in the food industry to detect and control pathogens and spoilage organisms in their processing facilities. Provided third tier customer support when first and second tiers of technical support required additional expertise. As a result, I have very good working relationships with food safety professionals for some of the largest food producers inside and outside the United States and with independent testing laboratories. Project leader of a $1.3 million, 2-year study effort characterizing prevalence, levels, and molecular subtypes of Listeria monocytogenes in frankfurters for USDA-ARS. Ensured that project came in on time and under budget. This project received the highest award given by the USDA, the United States Secretary of Agriculture Group Honor Award for Excellence and a Philadelphia Federal Executive Board Bronze Medal for Excellence in Government. AOAC-OMB Related Qualifications: Member of the United States Technical Advisory Group for ISO TC34/SC9. Skilled in classical and molecular techniques in microbiology, molecular biology, and immunology. Skilled in design and conduct of method validation studies involving sampling foods for bacterial pathogens. Execution and design of molecular typing methods including Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis, Ribotyping, Highly Multiplexed Genetic Element Detection, and DNA sequencing. Design and evaluation of methods for determining antimicrobial susceptibility. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR assay design and optimization. PCR primer design and evaluation. In vitro toxicity testing methods. In vivo toxicity testing methods. Working knowledge of instrumental chemistry (HPLC and GC methods). Nineteen years of experience managing teams of scientists and technicians. Knowledge of control strategies for reducing the risk of microbial contamination in food processing environments and in farm settings. Good working relationship with USDA and FDA scientists in both research and regulatory fields. Good working relationship with regulators of food safety outside the United States. Good working relationship with food safety professionals in industry.