Kristen Gibson

Kristen Gibson is a Professor of Food Safety and Microbiology and serves as the Director of the Center for Food Safety at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. She has held academic roles since 2010, progressing from Postdoctoral Research Associate to Professor by 2022. Her research focuses on pathogen dynamics in food systems, particularly noroviruses in fresh produce and retail environments. She leads a USDA-funded project assessing food safety during the COVID-19 pandemic and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to address evolving food safety challenges.

Her work integrates public education through workshops and partnerships with the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, ensuring accessible, trusted food safety information for Arkansans. The Center for Food Safety leverages expertise in produce safety, virology, and novel processing technologies to respond rapidly to emerging issues. Gibson emphasizes the Center’s mission to bridge research, industry, and consumer needs.

Grant activity includes significant USDA funding for pandemic-related food safety research. Her tenure reflects a strong track record in securing research grants and leading impactful projects. She collaborates with peers in microbiology, food science, and public health to advance food safety practices and mitigate risks in agricultural and retail sectors.