Food Protection Trends - November/December 2022 - 506

Our Experiences (continued)
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend IAFP 2022. My first IAFP Annual Meeting
was in Salt Lake City in 2018. It was the first year of my Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska -
Lincoln, and I was excited to attend and meet other students and food safety professionals. I
remember being impressed by the Travel Award recipients and feeling welcomed by the Student
PDG board. Every meeting since then has been a wonderful stopping point for me to reflect on my
experience in food safety and within the Association.
After two years of virtual meetings, I was thrilled to attend in-person again through the Student
Carmen Cano Roca
University of Nebraska -
Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska
Travel Scholarship. This was going to be a meaningful meeting, as I would be presenting a technical
talk based on the final chapter of my dissertation and closing my participation on the board of
the Student PDG. I was able to attend the Welcome Reception for the first time, as well as several
PDG meetings on Sunday. I met my fellow board members in person after a year of working
together, as well as the board for 2022-2023, and we welcomed first-time attendees and new
members. The Opening Session's Ivan Parkin Lecture presented by Dr. Lucia Anelich set a bracing
and challenging tone for the meeting, as it reminded me of how food safety must advance globally
for the advance to be meaningful. And this was just the first day!
The meeting exceeded my expectations for learning opportunities, with exciting sessions on
the different aspects of food protection. I was impressed by the variety of sessions focusing on
making food safety an inclusive space for students and professionals of different backgrounds. I
especially felt this with Dr. Yvonne Masters, my assigned mentor, who made sure to engage with
me as a student and as a person and gave me wonderful advice for my career. Her support during the meeting made it that
much better, and I am inspired to be a mentor in the future.
Attending the IAFP Annual Meeting this year reminded me of how much I love food safety and being part of this community
with colleagues, mentors, new friends, and role models. It was also an opportunity for me to close my chapter as a Student
Member and plan my next steps as an early career professional. I am excited to continue to volunteer in PDGs and give back to
the Foundation. I am incredibly grateful to the IAFP Foundation, the Selection Committee, and the IAFP staff for making this an
unforgettable meeting.
Receiving the IAFP Student Travel Scholarship to attend IAFP 2022 has been an incredible
honor. It was the second Annual Meeting I attended, so I was delighted to reunite with familiar
faces and meet even more students and professionals from all around the world. This year was
also particularly memorable as I got to know and spend time with fellow Travel Award recipients.
I enjoyed discussing our research, attending sessions, and exploring the exhibits together. I also
had the pleasure of meeting my mentor, Dr. Alvin Lee. He kindly shared his experiences with me
and guided me through various parts of the meeting.
Grace Dewi
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
The symposia and roundtables were incredibly informative and well-organized. Attending these
sessions educated me on topics that extend beyond my research projects. One of my favorite parts
of the Annual Meeting was the opportunity to talk with professionals during my poster presentation
and at events like the Student Luncheon and receptions throughout the meeting. I had the privilege to
converse with respected experts from industry, government agencies, and academia and learn from
their wealth of experiences. Sandra Eskin's announcement during the U.S. Regulatory Update also
led to many memorable discussions this year, as my doctoral research focuses on Salmonella control
in poultry. Learning different perspectives on the subject has enriched my understanding of the complexity
of ensuring the safety and sustainability of food production. Drs. Katherine Swanson and Lucia
Anelich also inspired me through their thought-provoking John H. Silliker and Ivan Parkin lectures,
in which they highlighted the importance of collaboration and incorporating diverse thoughts.
The welcoming environment fostered by the members of IAFP enhanced learning and stimulated
collaboration.
While volunteering at the Foundation Booth with Dr. Emilio Esteban, Dr. Gary Acuff, and Mr. Zeb Blanton, I saw firsthand the
longstanding relationships between Members and how they have continued to nurture these connections over the years. I am
grateful to be part of IAFP and excited to continue my involvement with the Association.
My sincerest gratitude to the IAFP Foundation for their support of the Student Travel Scholarships and the IAFP staff for
organizing another excellent meeting. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again at future IAFP meetings!
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506 Food Protection Trends November/December
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Food Protection Trends - November/December 2022

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