Hayriye has been working with Smithfield in multiple departments across the organization on food safety and R&D. As the senior research scientist and process authority, she has multiple cross-functional job responsibilities including designing and managing research projects and providing technical and scientific support. She has a passion for food safety and utilizing natural antimicrobials and novel technologies in food processing to control pathogens. Hayriye has a bachelor’s degree in food engineering from Turkey. She received her M.S. and Ph.D. in food science with emphasis on food microbiology and food safety from University of Kentucky. She has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed publications. She has recently appointed to serve on USDA National Advisory Committee for the Microbiological Criteria of Foods (NACMCF).