Dear Food Safety Professional,

The Arkansas Association for Food Protection, The Arkansas Association for Food Protection has been at the forefront of fostering collaboration and excellence in the realm of food protection. Over the years, we have successfully engaged with industry leaders, academia, and health agencies to create a robust network that enhances our collective efforts in ensuring the safety and quality of the food supply chain. It is my honor to serve as President this year for our organization.

I first came to Northwest Arkansas in 2010 when I started my post-graduate career as a Post-doctoral Fellow in the Center for Food Safety within the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. As most of my training and research had focused on microbial water quality, I was not aware of the International Association for Food Protection, though I was quickly ushered in by the Arkansas affiliate members during the 2010 Annual Meeting. As I transitioned to faculty in 2012 and began build my food safety research program, I stayed engaged with AAFP through organizing sessions and presenting. However, I did not actively seek out a leadership role in AAFP until 2022 when I took over as Director of the Center for Food Safety.

Looking ahead, our focus remains on actively engaging our members throughout the year. We recognize the importance of staying connected and providing ongoing opportunities for professional development. To this end, we are aiming to organize a series of events (e.g., workshops or seminars) in 2024 to complement our Annual Meeting that will not only broaden our knowledge but also foster a sense of camaraderie among our diverse membership. As part of our mission, we are especially dedicated to supporting and nurturing our pre-professional members, ensuring that they have access to the resources and mentorship necessary for their growth in the field. 

Through the dedicated efforts of our board, committees, and members, we continue to build a strong and engaged community focused on advancing food safety not only in Arkansas but also across the region and nationally. We are excited about our ongoing conversations with the Oklahoma affiliate regarding a joint annual meeting in 2024 so stay tuned! 

In conclusion, I want to express my gratitude for your commitment to the Arkansas Association for Food Protection. Together, we have created a dynamic and impactful organization that continues to make a positive difference in the food protection landscape. I look forward to the year ahead, filled with exciting opportunities for collaboration, learning, and growth.

 

Kristen E. Gibson

President, AAFP (2024)

Director, Center for Food Safety

University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

BIO

Dr. Kristen Gibson is a Professor in the Department of Food Science and Director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. She received her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Molecular Biology from the University of Central Florida and her Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public in Environmental Health Sciences. Kristen’s research interests are focused on understanding the fate and transport of human pathogens within the environment including leafy green production systems, optimization of methods for the detection of human pathogens in food and water and on environmental surfaces, and food safety at the retail and consumer level.