Associate Professor & Extension Specialist
Virginia Tech , Virginia, United States
Dr. Laura K. Strawn is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist of Produce Safety in the Department of Food Science and Technology at Virginia Tech. She holds degrees from Cornell University, University of Florida, and University of California, Davis. Her research program focuses on the microbial safety of fresh fruits and vegetables; specifically, the ecology, evolution, and transmission of foodborne pathogens throughout the produce supply chain. Passionate about risk management and communication, Dr. Strawn strives to make her research accessible and actionable for American farmers and consumers. She collaborates directly with stakeholders to address and resolve various produce safety challenges. Additionally, Dr. Strawn is a lead instructor for multiple food safety curricula and enjoys applied field research. She loves mentoring and gladly donates her time to various professional service activities, including the International Association for Food Protection (Chair, Food Protection Trends, Management Committee), Phi Tau Sigma (Board of Directors), and various food safety task forces. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the profession, Dr. Strawn received IAFP’s Larry Beuchat Young Researcher Award in 2021, and in 2024, she was honored by The Alliance to STOP Foodborne Illness 40 Under 40 Class of Food Safety Professionals from Across the World.
Scrub-a-Dub-Dub: Exploring Sanitizers in the Produce Industry Including Usage and Labels
Monday, June 23, 2025
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM CENTRAL TIME