2026 CPS Research Symposium Agenda

Join us for the 17th Annual Event
June 16-17, Nashville

2026 CPS Annual Symposium Agenda

The 2026 CPS Research Symposium agenda is now available. This year’s program brings together research, insight, and conversation to support progress in produce safety. From technical sessions to collaborative discussions, we hope this agenda helps you plan a meaningful and productive Symposium experience.

Please see the agenda below, check back for updates.

Tuesday, June 16

8:30 AM – Welcome

Carter McEntire, Fresh Express, Chair, Center for Produce Safety

Master of Ceremonies – Day 1
Joe Pezzini, Valley Pride, Past CPS Chair

8:45 AM – Featured Session

Metagenomics: Research Applications to Real-World Insights

Metagenomics is transforming produce safety research by helping scientists better understand microbial communities, environmental influences, and factors that impact food safety risks. This session will explore current applications, industry adoption, and how metagenomics can support future food safety decisions and research priorities.

Discussion Leader: Trevor Suslow, Trevor Suslow Consulting, LLC

Panel:

Alex Belias, Ph.D., Food Safety Technical Resource

José Emilio Esteban, Mérieux NutriSciences

Alexa Hamilton, Ph.D., Virginia Tech

9:30 AM – Pathogen Detection Methods & Microbial Tools – Final Research Reports

Discussion Leader: Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D., Food Safety Strategy

Panel:

John Gurrisi, Fresh Express

Joelle Mosso, Western Growers

Aaron Bivins, Ph.D., Louisiana State University
Hydrogel affinity particles to enable high-throughput screening of soft fruits for intact HAV virions
Scott Lenaghan, Ph.D., University of Tennessee
Validation of novel DNA isolation procedures from limited numbers of Cyclospora oocysts
Asis Khan, Ph.D., USDA-ARS
An immunomagnetic separation method for concentrating and increasing the recovery efficiency of Cyclospora

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM Break

11:00 AM – Pathogen Detection Methods & Microbial Tools - Final Research Reports

Discussion Leader: Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D., Food Safety Strategy

Panel:

Efi Papafragkou, Ph.D., US Food and Drug Administration

Becky Unwer, Driscoll’s

Susana Guix, Ph.D., University of Barcelona
Improving methods for the assessment of infectious human enteric virus survival in produce
Lee-Ann Jaykus, Ph.D., North Carolina State University
Development of a screening assay for hepatitis A virus which correlates to infectivity
Jose Santos Garcia Alvarado, Ph.D., Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León
Two validated first-level screening assays for infectious hepatitis A virus by detection of an intact capsid on frozen berries

12:00 PM – Lunch

1:15 PM – Research Pipeline: Projects Completing in 2026

Discussion Leader:Greg Komar, California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement

Teresa Bergholz, Ph.D., Michigan State University
Genomic and phenotypic assessment of E. coli O157:H7 REPEXH02 strains
Kerry Cooper, Ph.D., University of Arizona
How does weather influence transmission of E. coli O157:H7 from animal operations to produce fields?
Govindaraj Dev Kumar, Ph.D., University of Georgia
Color and material optimization of brushes for improved light-based sanitation
Abby Snyder, Ph.D., Cornell University
Salmonella risk is enhanced by onion condition or defect
Abby Snyder, Ph.D., Cornell University
Solutions to brush sanitation tailored to the producer’s appetite for capital investment and labor intensity
Channah Rock, Ph.D., University of Arizona
Methods for determining groundwater under the influence of surface water, and BMPs for mitigating distribution system contamination
Martin Wiedmann, Ph.D., Cornell University
Agent-based models can predict appropriate risk-based setback distances for flooded fields
Martin Wiedmann, Ph.D., Cornell University
Quantitative microbial risk assessments need to consider quality parameters to accurately predict produce food safety risks
Mabel Gil, Ph.D., CEBAS-CSIC
Reassessing postharvest water management for pathogen infiltration/internalization

Projects Completing in 2027: New Science on the Horizon

Chetan Badgujar, Ph.D., University of Tennessee
Automated compost monitoring with low-cost RFID, drones, and machine learning for improved control and pathogen safety
Erin DiCaprio, Ph.D., University of California, Davis
Developing methods to assess risk to crops exposed to animal facility fugitive dust
Channah Rock, Ph.D., University of Arizona
Can clean get cleaner? Evaluation of cleaning and sanitation process improvements for harvest equipment of leafy greens
Channah Rock, Ph.D., University of Arizona
Evaluation of grower practices to mitigate risks of BSAAO use in leafy greens
Luxin Wang, Ph.D., University of California, Davis
Characterization and control of food safety risks associated with indoor leafy green growing and harvest

2:30 PM – Meet the Scientists

3:15 PM – Process Control – Produce Wash Systems – Final Reports

Discussion Leader: De Ann Davis, Ph.D., Western Growers

Panel:

Susanne Klose, Church Brothers

George Nikolich, California Fresh Fruit Association

Nitin Nitin, Ph.D., University of California, Davis
Synergistic antimicrobial activity of food-grade compounds in wax coatings on fruits during wax drying

3:40 PM – Master Class - Maximizing the Value of Pre-Harvest Testing - Why did this test fail?

Jim Brennan, SmartWash Solutions

4:10 PM – Interactive Session

Poll: Select Final Fall Webinar Series
Suresh DeCosta, Lipman Family Farms, Technical Committee Chair
Center for Produce Safety Research Funding - Joe Pezzini, Valley Pride

4:30 – 6:00 PM – Reception

Wednesday, June 17

8:30 AM – Welcome Back & Day 1 Recap

Master of Ceremonies – Day 2, Larry Kohl, Ahold Delhaize USA

8:40 AM – Featured Session

From Outbreak Response to Research Priorities: Leveraging Root Cause Analysis to Advance Produce Safety

This session will connect FDA produce safety priorities—particularly outbreak response and root cause analysis (RCA)—with research opportunities. The goal is to translate regulatory insights into actionable research directions that strengthen prevention efforts across the produce supply chain.

Presented by:

Samir Assar, Ph.D., U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Suresh DeCosta, Lipman Family Farms

Thea Eubanks, TheogCompanies

9:30 AM – All Models Are Wrong…But Some Are Useful, Making Food Safety Models Work for Industry

Food safety models are often treated like mysterious black boxes built by academics who really enjoy spreadsheets. In reality, models are simply structured ways to interpret complex environmental systems by using data, assumptions, and probabilities to help make more-informed decisions under uncertainty. This session will explore how food safety models are developed, why their predictive power depends entirely on the quality and representativeness of the data behind them, and how environmental variability, management practices, and sampling limitations can influence outcomes. Using real-world examples from produce production and agricultural water use, we will discuss how practical approaches and shared stakeholder commitments can improve the use of research funding towards broader applicability of these tools by growers and food safety professionals.

Presented by:

Channah Rock, Ph.D., University of Arizona

Michelle Danyluk Ph.D., University of Florida

Trevor Suslow, Ph.D., Trevor Suslow Consulting, LLC

10:30 AM – Break

11:00 AM – Master Class: The Tyranny of Averages: Why Food Safety Data Can Mislead

This master class will discuss how solely relying “summary statistics”, such as “% environmental samples positive for Listeria” or “mean of XX MPN E. coli/100 ml” may not provide the best approach for analyzing food safety data. We will introduce alternative approaches, such as trend analysis and ideas from statistical process control that may help industry to better analyze and utilize food safety data.

Martin Wiedmann, Ph.D., Cornell University

11:30 AM – Models

Discussion Leader: Karleigh Bacon, Ph.D., McDonald’s

Panel:

Drew McDonald, Taylor Farms

Matthew Stasiewicz, Ph.D., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Flexible risk process models to quantify residual risks and the impact of interventions
Chetan Badgujar, Ph.D., University of Tennessee
Developing an automated and digital tool for integrated bird pest management in fresh produce fields
Alda Pires, Ph.D., University of California, Davis
Developing a user-friendly risk assessment tool to assess the food safety risks of fresh produce production and landscape use
Channah Rock, Ph.D., University of Arizona
Development of a risk ranking tool for evaluating hazards and risks related to agricultural water subpart E

12:50 PM – Lunch

1:50 PM – Professional Development Program - Meet the 2026 Class!

Presenter: Carter McEntire, Fresh Express, Chair, Center for Produce Safety

2:20 PM – Master Class: Agriculture Water: What is Safe?

Laura Strawn, Ph.D., Virginia Tech

2:50 PM – Environmental Pathogen Control, Final Reports

Discussion Leader: Joan Rosen, JC Rosen Resources

Panelist:

Amy Parks, Ph.D., Dole Food Company, Inc.

Carola Molina, OPPY

George Nikolich, California Fresh Fruit Association

Xuetong Fan, Ph.D., USDA-ARS
Survival of pathogens on work-in-process fresh-cut produce ingredients
Kristen Gibson, Ph.D., University of Arkansas
Evaluation of sanitation protocols for non-conventional food-contact surface materials used in produce packinghouses
Luxin Wang, Ph.D., University of California, Davis
Characterization and mitigation of food safety risks associated with waxing roller brushes

3:50 PM –

Poll: Select Fall Webinar Series
Closing Remarks: Larry Kohl, Ahold Delhaize USA

4:20 PM – Closing Reception

Registration Now Open

Join us in Nashville as we bring together industry leaders, researchers, and partners committed to advancing produce safety through science and collaboration.

Join us at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, located in the heart of downtown and just steps from Broadway's iconic live music, dining, and entertainment. A limited number of rooms are available at the CPS group rate. We encourage you to book early.

Hotel Room Block Cut-Off Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026

Reserve Your Room