Dr. John Schmidt holds a BS in Biotechnology from Rutgers University and a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Illinois. Since 2009, he has been employed as a Research Microbiologist in Meat Safety and Quality Research Unit of the USDA, Agricultural Research Service. Dr. Schmidt’s research encompasses a broad range Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli issues from farm to fork. Dr. Schmidt serves on the steering committee of the ARS Salmonella Grand Challenge with the goal of a unified ARS strategy in collaboration with key academic researchers to support stakeholders’ ability to implement affordable, effective, data-driven interventions.