Laura K. Strawn

Laura K. Strawn is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science & Technology at Virginia Tech. Her research and extension work focuses on reducing foodborne pathogen contamination in the produce supply chain, with a 50-50 split between research and extension activities. She teaches FST 5034: Good Agricultural and Manufacturing Practices through the Virginia Tech Online Masters program.

• Ph.D., Food Science, Cornell University (2014)
• M.S., Food Science, University of Florida (2009)
• B.S., Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis (2007)

Her research interests include food microbiology, pathogen survival on agricultural surfaces, produce safety, and compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). She develops mitigation strategies for pathogens like Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli, and evaluates sanitation interventions for packinghouse equipment and harvest materials.

Awards include the Larry Beuchat Young Researcher Award (2021), FDA Outstanding Service Award (2016), and multiple top honors in Virginia Cooperative Extension poster competitions. Her work emphasizes translating scientific findings into actionable guidelines for growers and distributors through extension programs.

Grants and collaborations include studies on agricultural water management, cyberbiosecurity in fermentation, and FSMA training effectiveness. She advises students and serves on graduate committees, contributing to both academic and industry-focused training.