Yemmireddy LabFood Safety & Food Microbiology
Research

Systems Food Microbiology — from Insight to Impact

We study how microorganisms behave across food supply chains, which controls work under realistic conditions, and how scientific evidence can guide better food-safety decisions.

Our research follows three connected directions: Understand. Control. Inform.

Our Research Framework

From Insight to Impact

A systems framework for food safety and quality

The system we study

  1. Field & harvest
  2. Packing & washing
  3. Storage & distribution
  4. Decisions & practice

Real-world conditions, evidence, and questions

The scientific coreSystems Food MicrobiologyEvidence connects all themes

1Understand

Microbial Ecology & Pathogen Persistence

Where and why do foodborne pathogens survive and persist?

2Control

Intervention Science & Food Quality

Which controls work under realistic conditions while protecting product quality?

3Inform

Risk Analytics & Decision Support

Which actions deliver the greatest meaningful reduction in risk?

Evidence moves into practice through

Teaching & MentoringTraining & Outreach
Impact
  • Safer foods
  • Protected quality
  • Resilient food systems
Original infographic: From Insight to Impact, a systems framework linking the food system to three research areas — Understand, Control, and Inform — around systems food microbiology, leading through teaching, training, and outreach to safer foods, protected quality, and resilient food systems
Original graphic — click to enlarge
01 | Understand

Microbial Ecology & Pathogen Persistence

We study how foodborne pathogens and resident microbial communities change across fresh-produce supply chains. Through field sampling, laboratory studies, and microbiome and metagenomic analyses, we identify environmental and operational conditions that influence contamination, survival, and persistence.

Rows of onions growing in a field
Researchers sampling leafy greens in a field
Researcher preparing samples at a lab bench
Researchers processing samples in the laboratory
Student pipetting samples inside a biosafety cabinet
02 | Control

Intervention Science & Quality Protection

We investigate how microbial stress, surface attachment, and biofilm formation affect pathogen response to control measures. We evaluate sanitizers and emerging technologies for their ability to reduce microbial risk while protecting product quality and shelf life.

Researcher treating trays of fresh-cut produce in a biosafety cabinet
Laboratory setup for a produce wash intervention study
Bacterial colonies growing on an agar plate
Selective agar plate with dark bacterial colonies
Researcher working with laboratory instruments
Student operating an analytical instrument
03 | Inform

Quantitative Risk Assessment & Decision Science

We use quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to connect laboratory, field, and supply-chain data. These models help us estimate risk, compare intervention strategies, identify critical knowledge gaps, and determine where food-safety actions can have the greatest impact.

From Evidence to Decision

Quantitative microbial risk assessment as an iterative research cycle

The integrating hubQMRA & Decision ScienceEvidence → Risk → Action
  1. 01Integrate EvidenceLaboratory • Field • Literature • Industry
  2. 02Model ExposureContamination • Transfer • Survival • Consumption • Dose–response
  3. 03Quantify RiskProbability • Variability • Uncertainty
  4. 04Compare InterventionsScenarios • Sensitivity • Risk reduction
  5. 05Prioritize DecisionsCritical points • Practical controls • Research needs

OutcomesTargeted controls • Better resource allocation • Safer food systems

Original infographic: From Evidence to Decision, a cycle of integrating evidence, modeling exposure, quantifying risk, comparing interventions, and prioritizing decisions, centered on QMRA and decision science
Original graphic — click to enlarge
Lab members discussing research findings at a scientific poster session

One Integrated Research Program

Understand microbial behavior. Develop effective controls. Inform better decisions.