Mission Statement
The mission of our laboratory is to conduct high-quality research related to microbial food safety and microbial food quality and to support the development of lab members into competent, respected scientific professionals. The laboratory and all its members agree to respect colleagues and to work towards creating a supportive, non-competitive environment. A primary goal of the laboratory is to provide an environment in which students and staff become familiar with all aspects of conducting research at a major research university.
Diversity statement
Our lab values the contributions of every student, staff, faculty, and collaborating stakeholder in the development of scholarly research. We believe that diversity –in race, ethnicity, gender, sex, religion, ability, sexual orientation, place of origin, etc.–is a strength and that different points of view are crucial when problem-solving. We consider the development of food science professionals to be as important of a product of our lab as the research those individuals produce. We believe in empowering people of minoritized groups in order to mitigate the impacts of inequalities that permeate both academia and society as a whole. We recognize the systematic socioeconomic barriers preventing equal access to the same quality of education and will actively work to equalize learning opportunities and accommodate the unique needs of every student. We also emphasize the application of multicultural perspectives when thinking about the impacts of our science and the broader implications of a changing food system.
We are committed to moving from awareness of the importance of diversity in STEM to action in increasing diversity and inclusion in STEM. These actions include, but are not limited to:
- Recognizing the role that diverse backgrounds play during student recruitment.
- Welcoming open communication and encouraging questions among all lab members.
- Inviting all lab members to regular meetings and conduct social events.
- Promoting a culture of well-being, especially during stressful times.
- Using gender-inclusive language and the correct pronouns of every lab member to avoid misgendering anyone.