PSLA hosted Dr. Jeri Barak (14th April 2016)
Dr. Jeri Barak
Salmonella interactions in the Plant Phyllosphere - Angela Ferelli (and PLSC689A)
The interaction between plant and enteric pathogens remain a shrewd and elusive front of food safety research. Dr. Jeri Barak at the University of Wisconsin, Madison focuses on “biological multipliers” that increase the prevalence and persistence of foodborne pathogens on produce. Using metabolomic and proteomic approaches, Dr. Barak has elucidated key plant derived components that are necessary for Salmonella to thrive in the phyllosphere. Her lab is also interested in the interactions of foodborne pathogens with plant pathogens and phytophagus insects. As a whole, she hypotheses that many agricultural and environmental factors create “the perfect storm” for Salmonella persistence.
