Food Protection Trends - November/December 2023 - 523

Our Experiences (continued)
Lastly, Toronto was a fantastic city to host this meeting. I had never been to Toronto, or even Canada for that matter,
and had a great time exploring the city, which is gorgeous. I felt safe even while walking the streets alone. I enjoyed the
city a lot and even ate some of the best street tacos I have EVER had from a food truck near the waterfront.
I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to attend IAFP 2023 to meet new people and learn so much.
Knowing how competitive the Student Travel Scholarships are, I feel so humbled to have been selected as an awardee
among a group of awesome, talented young researchers. Thank you so much to the IAFP Foundation for funding my
attendance to this meeting. This program is excellent, and I know that these awards will continue to have a lasting impact
on shaping the careers of future food safety professionals for many years to come.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have attended IAFP 2023 in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada through the Student Travel Scholarship! This represented the second
Annual Meeting I have attended. Because of this, I enjoyed reconnecting with all the
familiar faces and making new connections with students and food safety professionals
worldwide.
I began the conference on Sunday with the International Food Protection Issues
(IFPI) PDG and Food Packaging PDGs. I serve as the Student Liaison for the IFPI PDG.
Through my involvement, I was able to contribute to the brainstorming of ideas for the
upcoming year's symposium, roundtable, and technical session submissions. I also
attended the Student PDG Meeting, where I was able to connect with other students
from around the globe and meet IAFP President Dr. Michelle Danyluk. She even
answered one of the questions I posed during the meeting.
During the Opening Session, I was excited to hear the Ivan Parkin Lecture by
Aaron Dudley
Alabama Agricultural and
Mechanical University
Huntsville, Alabama
Dr. Sarah Cahill from the World Health Organization (WHO). I especially enjoyed her
discussion regarding the organization's approach to food safety regulations in that
they do not restrict industry, but enable good health, well-being, thriving businesses,
and international food trade, which successfully transforms the food system. This was
insightful for me.
I attended many sessions, which included the technical sessions for antimicrobials;
non-thermal processing technologies, which had Pulsed Ultraviolet Light and its impact
on the safety of blueberries; and symposia that shed light on the direction of the
regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on cellcultured
seafood and poultry meat. I was also excited to learn from Dr. Jose Emilo Esteban's update on the USDA's food
safety priorities where he discussed the organization's direction on Salmonella in NRTE breaded stuffed chicken.
During my technical and poster presentations, I had the opportunity to present the research projects that I lead and
support. Being able to exchange ideas with so many researchers in food safety was amazing. And I sincerely appreciate
the mentorship of Dr. Matthew Moore. He was instrumental in helping me navigate the Annual Meeting, introducing me to
his network of professionals, which, in turn, helped me to build my network. I appreciate his mentorship and look forward
to remaining connected.
Volunteering at the IAFP Foundation Booth with Dr. Gary Acuff and one of my fellow travel scholarship awardees,
Alexis Omar, was a pleasure. I enjoyed being able to help raise funds for other upcoming awardees as I recognize
the importance of this. Being at the center point of the meeting at the booth, I had the chance to meet food safety
professionals from around the world. I've read some of their published literature in JFP and FPT and meeting them in
person was simply an honor. I am excited to continue to serve on the PDGs and give back to the IAFP Foundation as a
professional.
I would like to thank IAFP and the Selection Committee for selecting me as an awardee and providing me with this
opportunity. I sincerely thank the IAFP Foundation, the Program Committee, and the IAFP staff for making this meeting
an excellent experience. I am thankful for the opportunity to attend IAFP's Annual Meeting this year.
November/December Food Protection Trends 523

Food Protection Trends - November/December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - November/December 2023