Food Protection Trends - May/June 2023 - 240

BEYOND the BIO
Name: Almaris Alonso-Claudio
Employment: Federal Government
Location: Maryland, USA
Alonso-Claudio Credits 'In vivo'
Upbringing for Start in Food Safety
Dr. Almaris Alonso-Claudio has amassed
many a degree and title to her name over
the course of her career. Chief among them
are daughter, mom, author, inclusive leader
and difference-maker.
Alonso-Claudio credits her own mother as
her first role model and mentor, encouraging
her to persevere during times of adversity
and never give up on her dreams. Growing
up in Barrio Esperanza, Puerto Rico,
within the municipality town of Arecibo, she
describes her childhood as one surrounded
by a beautiful environment of mountains,
caves and subterranean rivers. Little did she
know this access to Mother Nature's wonders
would become a building block to her career.
" Growing up with limited access to technology
- such as computers, internet, phones or
cable TV, provided me with the opportunity
to explore the surrounding beauty of Barrio
Esperanza, " said Alonso-Claudio. " There, the
spectacular native flora and fauna inspired
me to consider a career in sciences, while
experiencing first-hand an amazing 'in vivo'
environment. "
After attending public school in Barrio
Esperanza, Alonso-Claudio completed her undergraduate
work at the University of Puerto
Rico - Mayagüez Campus, with a bachelor's
degree in industrial microbiology, then
240 Food Protection Trends May/June
completed graduate work at several universities:
University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez
Campus, where she earned a master's
degree in biology (mycology and physiology),
then the University of Massachusetts -
Amherst to complete her doctoral degree in
microbiology. Alonso-Claudio then went to
Harvard Medical School as a postdoctoral
research associate, finishing up at Cornell
University with certificates in leadership
and diversity, equity and inclusion.
" The early science influences I had from
Barrio Esperanza and the amazing and
creative teachers inspired me to pursue a
career in science, " Alonso-Claudio said.
" I've always been intrigued with research
projects that prevent foodborne pathogens
from reaching our food supply. "
Her research career has built upon itself,
starting with her master's research project
at the University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
campus, where she researched soil
microorganisms and their role in cellulose
degradation. This would later come into
play as she completed her doctoral degree at
the University of Massachusetts - Amherst.
Alonso-Claudio was able to link her expertise
in mycology with the challenging and
filamentous growth conditions required for
actinomycetes.
" This research impacted my career because
I successfully addressed concerns related to
environmental microbiology and cellulose
degradation for thermophilic actinomycetes
and their potential use in bioremediation
strategies, " Alonso-Claudio said.
From there, a second pivotal point in
her career occurred when she successfully
assessed a scientific concern for the
foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes
and causative agent of a few outbreaks in
vegetables and fruits in the U.S.
With years of science training, AlonsoClaudio
used her time at Harvard to guide
her research in foodborne pathogens
forward, where she spent five years on her
postdoctoral research project. By the end of
her post-doc, she had developed the largest
library of biofilm detective mutant for Listeria
monocytogenes in the world.
" This library of mutants is currently
being used by other students at Harvard
Medical School and visiting scientists to
further research projects advancing protection
of public health, " Alonso-Claudio said.
" In everything I do in my life or professional
career, I want to contribute by positively
impacting people's lives. "
Another way Alonso-Claudio has positively
impacted people - this time outside
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