TNFood.SafetyCoE@tn.gov
TNFood.SafetyCoE@tn.gov
A key focus area for the Integrated Food Safety Centers of excellence is to train and educate the future workforce. To accomplish this, the Tennessee CoE offers graduate assistantships through the University of Tennessee Knoxville and internships with Tennessee metro, regional, and central offices. Through these opportunities students are exposed to a range of projects focused on food safety in Tennessee and beyond.
Position: Graduate Research Assistant
Degree pursuing: M.S. — Food Science; switching to Ph.D. — Food Science
The purpose of this project is to compare the clinical and non-clinical Salmonella enterica Braenderup populations from Southeastern states (clinical isolates from Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina, Virginia, Arkansas, and Alabama) in USA. To better understand the population structure and genomic relatedness, we are using non-clinical isolate source data and phylogenetic clustering to analyze source attribution patterns; and identify potential outbreak clusters using hqSNP thresholds. Additionally, I developed a proficient skillset in Bash coding, which enabled our group to design and publish “ClustFinder.” This is no ordinary tool, it’s an open-source solution that enables threshold-delineated clustering of microbial isolates by pairwise genomic distance. Additionally, ClustFinder will allow researchers to independently perform clustering analyses like those used in public health without relying on any proprietary tools.
Position: Graduate Research Associate
Degree pursuing: MPH — Epidemiology; M.S. — Statistics and Data Science
The purpose of this project is to better understand the spatial patterns of Salmonella Mississippi in the southeastern United States and the relationship between genomic difference and geographical distance. We are performing a county-level exploratory spatial data analysis of clinical isolates from Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Figuring-out interesting and methodically-sound ways to represent the spatial patterns of our isolates’ phylogeny has been a novel and entertaining challenge! Broadening our understanding of the source attribution and population ecology of Salmonella Mississippi will provide us with knowledge that can inform disease surveillance and outbreak investigations. Additionally, this information may provide insight into possible environmental sources of human infection for this serovar.
Position: CoE Intern
Degree pursuing: MPH — Epidemiology; Minor — Data and Statistics; Graduate Certificate in Food Safety
Priscilla interned with the CoE from August 2022 through May 2023. Pricilla spearheaded the development of a new Foodborne Outbreak Investigation online training activity. She analyzed evaluations from previous activities and created reports that assisted the Tennessee Food Safety CoE with determining how to update the new online activity. During the duration of her internship she also worked with the Tennessee Department of Health and Agriculture to develop live poultry and poultry environmental sampling protocol and she conducted a summary of the 2022 live poultry Salmonella outbreak including a review of demographics, clinical and exposure information.
“The mentorship received throughout my APEx was most valuable to me. I was able to expand my knowledge in epidemiology extensively and develop valuable skills that I will be able to use for the rest of my Public Health career.”