Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 181

BEYOND the BIO
" Teaching, doing research and working
with students was a much more holistic
approach to food safety than what I had
done before, " Diez-Gonzalez said. " In my
17 years in Minnesota, I had the pleasure
of teaching a large number of students,
everything from large introductory courses
to graduate students. It was a new aspect of
my career and one I've enjoyed. "
With increased opportunities for research
and collaboration, Diez-Gonzalez took
advantage of consumers' booming interest
in organic produce to conduct a number
of studies looking at the safety of organic
vegetables (compared to conventionally
grown vegetables) due to the use of manure,
and subsequently, the pathogens within the
manure, to fertilize them.
Other substantial and notable research
projects during his time at the University of
Minnesota included an expanded follow-up
to his E. coli O157 research at Cornell, using
different strategies and interventions, and
then following 9/11, looking at bioterrorism
agents, such as anthrax and toxins that
could be used for intentional contamination
of mass food supplies.
" I had the opportunity to work with Ted
Labuza and to be mentored by Allen Levine
while I was in Minnesota and they both
provided so much enrichment, insight to my
teaching and research career, " Diez-Gonzalez
said. " Their influences have stayed with me. "
In 2015, Diez-Gonzalez was invited to
apply for a position as director of the University
of Georgia Center for Food Safety,
a leader in the research that contributes to
greater food safety for consumers and industry.
He had recently accepted a position as
the department head in Minnesota and was
intent on staying there to grow the program.
But in 2016, he made the move south.
" The UGA Center for Food Safety has a
reputation as one of the most prestigious
academic research units in the world, "
Diez-Gonzalez said. " My predecessor, Mike
Doyle, is regarded as an extremely influential
food microbiologist. Although it wasn't
an opportunity I had on my radar at the
time, I began to see how I could contribute
to the reputation of the Center with my
own research and continue to make this
an excellent institution for furthering our
understanding of food safety. "
One of his primary roles as center director
is collaborating with a number of industry
partners to conduct research and discovery
on food-related matters that, in the
end, contribute greatly to the safety of the
food consumers eat. The center also has a
long-standing relationship with the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Diez-Gonzalez said the center often serves as
an avenue for communication and collaboration
between industry partners, the CDC
and other government agencies.
" It's of great benefit to all of us to have
partnerships like this in place, " Diez-Gonzalez
said. " We have one of the largest teams of
food safety researchers in the country, and
they are given the resources and projects
to focus - and grow - their work in food
safety and food microbiology. There are
some incredible opportunities here. "
It's not to say that Diez-Gonzalez has
left some of his favorite parts of academia
behind. He currently supervises and mentors
six faculty members and three students.
He said this allows him to stay connected to
research and discovery while also helping
to shape the career interests of young food
safety professionals.
" Many times, a mentor like myself gains
a lot by learning through our students, "
Diez-Gonzalez said. " Mentees are taking
courses and using technology that did not
exist when I went through school. It keeps
me up to date and also gives me a satisfaction
to see the skills of mentees evolving
over time. "
Similar to his own career course,
Diez-Gonzalez said it's critical for students
and young professionals to know what
motivates them to do their best. And, with
the variety of careers in food safety, he said
it can be tailor-made per a person's passions
and interests.
" It's a great time for a career in food
safety, " he said. " We're continuing to see
emerging pathogens, new organisms - and
with advancements in technology, we're
going to continue to get better at tackling
issues before they become larger problems
for industry and consumers. "
The drive to discover and prevent
contamination continues to motivate
Diez-Gonzalez in his long and decorated
career as a food safety scientist.
" In the field of food safety, we will be
successful when people stop getting sick
from their food, " he said. " It's a lofty goal,
but one every food safety professional
should be working toward. "
Q: FAMILY
A: I'm married to my wife Claudia and have two (grown) children. My daughter is an actress and
film producer, and my son works in labor policy after getting degrees in political science. My
wife and I spend a lot of time together and we like to do most activities with each other.
Q: FAVORITE TRAVELS
A: From our time in Upstate New York with our children, my wife and I always loved to
take road trips, recently in the southeastern U.S. along the Georgia coast, Savannah and
Charleston. Last year, we went to Barcelona and Madrid, and I would highly recommend
taking a trip there. It was beautiful and the people were awesome.
Q: FAVORITE TV SHOWS OR MOVIES
A: My wife and I like shows that have some basis in real events. Lately, we've been watching
" Yellowstone " and the spin offs from that series. But we've also watched " Game of Thrones "
and enjoyed that, too. It's nice that we have similar interests in what we want to watch! I also
enjoy watching professional sports, like a great football game or soccer games (the REAL
football)! As a child, all I wanted to do was kick and chase a ball.
Q: FAVORITE TEAM
A: Of course, I'm cheering for the Georgia Bulldawgs!
Q: HOBBIES
A: I enjoy running about five miles three times a week, but really consider the time I share
with my wife and family as my favorite way to spend my time outside of work.
March/April Food Protection Trends 181

Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023

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