Linda J. Harris

Specialist in Cooperative Extension

Degree

Ph. D. North Carolina State University, 1991

Research

Dr. Harris’s research focuses on microbial food safety emphasizing the microbiology of fresh fruits and vegetables and tree nuts. She works to develop and validate standard microbiological methods and uses these methods to evaluate the behavior of food borne pathogens on fruits, vegetables and tree nuts under different storage and processing conditions. She uses these methods to evaluate antimicrobial treatments including various sanitizers and thermal processes for their efficacy in reducing microbial populations on various cut and intact produce and tree nut surfaces.

Selected Publications

• Parnell, T.L., L.J. Harris and T.V. Suslow. 2005. Reducing Salmonella on cantaloupes and honeydew melons using wash practices applicable to postharvest handling, foodservice, and consumer preparation. International Journal of Food Microbiology 99:59-70.

• Danyluk, M.D., L.J. Harris, and D.W. Schaffner. 2006. Monte Carlo simulations assessing the risk of salmonellosis from consumption of almonds. Journal of Food Protection 69:1594-1599.

• Palumbo, M.S., J.R. Gorny, D.E. Gombas, L.R. Beuchat, C.M. Bruhn, B. Cassens, P. Delaquis, J.M. Farber, L.J. Harris, K. Ito, M.T. Osterholm, M. Smith, and K.M.J. Swanson. 2007. Recommendations for handling fresh-cut leafy green salads by consumers and retail foodservice operators. Trends Food Protection 27:892-898.

• Du, W.-X., M.D. Danyluk, and L.J. Harris. 2007.  Evaluation of cleaning treatments for almond-contact surfaces. Trends Food Protection 9:678-683.

• Danyluk, M.D., M. Nozawa-Inoue, K.R. Hristova, K.M. Scow, B.D. Lampinen, and L.J. Harris. 2008.  Survival and growth of Salmonella Enteritidis PT 30 in almond orchard soils. Journal of Applied Microbiology 104:1391-1399.

Awards and Honors

• International Association for Food Protection Educator Award, 2004

• Appointed to the National Advisory Committee for the Microbiological Criteria for Foods, May 2005 – March 2009

• Invited participant for the American Academy of Microbiology Colloquium: “Global Food Safety: Reducing Risk from Farm to Table”. San Francisco, CA April 24-26, 2009.

Extension of Knowledge Activities 

Through electronic means, presentations, or one-on-one interactions Dr. Harris works with food producers, processors, consumers, and representatives from State and Federal Government on issues related to microbial food safety. She interacts with a wide range of individuals from homemakers and small-scale farmers to large-scale commercial processors and many support industries and organizations. 

For more information on Dr. Harris, visit her home page.