Laurel Dunn

Laurel Dunn is an Associate Professor and Extension Coordinator in the Department of Food Science & Technology at the University of Georgia, affiliated with the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES). Her research focuses on food microbiology, produce safety, and microbial risks in agricultural systems. Key areas include pathogen survival mechanisms in soil and water, food safety compliance (e.g., FSMA), and mitigation strategies for contamination risks.

Her extension activities emphasize on-farm microbial safety practices, training programs for growers, and implementation of federal regulations. Dunn’s work bridges academic research with practical applications, addressing challenges in fresh produce safety, food processing, and environmental management.

Publications highlight her contributions to sanitizer efficacy, pathogen behavior in agricultural settings, and innovative methods for reducing contamination risks. Her research has implications for improving food safety protocols in both conventional and emerging agricultural systems like aquaponics.

• Key Research Themes: Foodborne pathogens, microbial hazards in soil/amendments, produce safety innovations
• Extension Focus: FSMA training, grower education, and on-farm food safety assessments