Next Meeting:

Thursday November 13th

Location: BH 330

Time: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Title: Modeling enteric pathogen dynamics on leafy vegetables based on weather parameters and bacterial state

Speaker: Dr Dan Munther 

Abstract: Weather affects key aspects of bacterial behavior on plants but has not been extensively investigated as a tool to assess risk of crop contamination with human foodborne pathogens. In this talk, I will discuss a newly developed mechanistic model, informed by weather factors and bacterial state, designed to predict population dynamics on leafy vegetables. The model utilizes temperature, radiation, and dew point depression to characterize pathogen growth and decay rates. Additionally, the model incorporates the population level effect of bacterial physiological state dynamics in the phyllosphere in terms of the duration and frequency of specific weather parameters. Our results highlight the potential of a comprehensive weather-based model in predicting contamination risk in the field. Such a modeling approach would additionally be valuable for timing field sampling in quality control to ensure the microbial safety of produce. This is joint work with Maria Brandl (USDA-ARS), Renata Ivanek (Cornell U.), Ana Allende (CEBAS-CSIC, Spain). 

Pizza and beverages will be provided.

All majors and backgrounds welcome!

Come learn & have lots of fun!

Check out our calendar for a complete list of upcoming events.