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International Association for Food Protection Names New President
Manan Sharma, Ph.D. has assumed the presidency of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), succeeding Manpreet Singh, Ph.D. Dr. Sharma began his term at the conclusion of IAFP 2026.
Dr. Sharma is Senior Director for Produce and Food Safety at The Acheson Group (TAG), where he provides technical, science-based food safety solutions. Prior to joining TAG, he spent 21 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, where he served as Lead Scientist and Research Microbiologist. He has authored or co-authored nearly 100 peer-reviewed publications and nine book chapters.
Dr. Sharma’s research has focused extensively on pre-harvest produce safety, including factors affecting the survival of enteric bacterial pathogens in soils, manure, compost, irrigation water, and fruit and vegetable commodities. His work has included collaborations with FDA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as participation in the U.S. National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) Environmental Working Group. He also helped lead collaborative research projects on irrigation water and produce safety with university partners.
A member of IAFP since joining as a student in 2000, Dr. Sharma has held numerous leadership and volunteer positions within the association. His service has included roles on the Journal of Food Protection Editorial Board and Management Committee; IAFP Annual Meeting Program Committee; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council; Food Protection Trends Editorial Board; Nominating Committee; Foundation Committee; Tellers Committee; and Awards Committee. He also served as Chair of the Student Professional Development Group and has mentored students and early-career scientists through IAFP programs and during his time at USDA-ARS.
Dr. Sharma has also served as Vice President and President of the Capital Area Food Protection Association, IAFP’s Washington, D.C.-area Affiliate, and was a founding member of the Indian Association for Food Protection in North America.
IAFP has recognized Dr. Sharma with several honors, including the Larry Beuchat Young Researcher Award in 2011, Maurice Weber Laboratorian Award in 2018, and Fellow Award in 2022.
Dr. Sharma earned a B.S. degree in Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida and an M.S. degree and Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology from the University of Georgia.
Other members of the IAFP Executive Board include President-Elect Pam Wilger of Post Consumer Brands; Vice President Wendy White of the Georgia Institute of Technology; Secretary Maria Hoffmann of FDA; Past President Manpreet Singh of the University of Georgia; and Affiliate Council Chair Takiyah Ball of Sargento Foods Inc.
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