Introduce yourself and describe your work

My work is centered around food safety research which is under the public health safety umbrella. My team and I investigate recent food outbreaks and try to find solutions for the food industry. Also, our work contributes heavily in the food policies and regulations for the U.S. Food industry.

What do you consider to be your most important career achievement or discovery?

Working for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and contributing to the safety of the public health. Before this, I worked in the food industry as a food safety and quality assurance manager, food safety specialist, and a project manager.

During times of imposter syndrome or feelings of discouragement, what or who helped you persevere?

My perseverance comes from my passion for helping people in any way I can.

How does your work impact people and the world around us?

My work contributes to the public health safety and ensures the safety of food for everyone.

What is a unique fact about your career/industry?

What’s unique about my career is how specific it is. Food is unique- the way of cooking, processing, packaging, and storage. this makes the research work highly specific to each food item of concern. Every project we work on is different which makes the work I do unique.

What advice do you have for other women or nonbinary individuals considering this field?

Reading about the current outbreaks and the FDA role in responding to these outbreaks. Research is an amazing field that keeps your brain and creativity levels at highest.