Where Science and Community Meet
Science often lives in papers, labs, and datasets, but this year, I experienced what it looks like when science lives in communities. With the support of the CLIMAS Fellowship, I worked at the intersection of research and real-world impact, expanding scientific knowledge while developing resources to support fresh produce growers. Specifically, I focused on helping growers comply with updated food safety regulations on water in the preharvest environment under Subpart E of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR).
Before 2025, compliance was relatively straightforward. Growers relied on numerical criteria – a threshold for bacterial levels that could not be exceeded in a water source like rivers or ponds. It was a simple yes-or-no question: Is my water quality within the acceptable limits? Now, the approach has fundamentally shifted. Growers are required to conduct comprehensive risk assessments, considering factors such as water source, application method, environmental conditions, and crop characteristics. Based on these factors, they must determine whether mitigation measures are necessary to reduce potential risks. These changes are designed to better protect public health, particularly given the role of water as a potential pathway for foodborne illness. However, with any change in life comes new expectations and challenges.
Imagine stepping into a grower’s shoes (or boots). What was once a checklist is now a nuanced decision-making process that depends on experience and knowledge. Two individuals from the same fresh produce operation could conduct the same assessment and arrive at entirely different conclusions. Adding to the complexity, these decisions must be scientifically justified; yet in many cases, that scientific guidance is still emerging. This shift in approach requires time, resources, and education – commodities that food safety systems don’t always have the luxury to wait for. This is where my work fits in. My goal was to support compliance with PSR requirements, while helping to shift mindsets, strengthen critical thinking, and build grower confidence in decision-making.
My physical research focused on one key measure at a grower’s disposal: the time interval between final water application and harvest. When growers identify potential risks, extending this interval can serve as a mitigation strategy, if supported by scientific evidence. We know that over time, pathogen or disease-causing microorganisms can decline due to environmental factors, such as UV radiation and temperature. However, the extent of this decline under real-world conditions is not always well understood. To help address this gap, I conducted four field trials on romaine lettuce and lemons. In these studies, produce was artificially contaminated with bacteria and sampled over time to evaluate how environmental conditions and elapsed time influenced bacterial concentrations. The goal was to contribute data that can help inform risk assessments and provide growers with stronger scientific backing for their decisions
Delving into science, policy, and communication showed me that applying research in real-world settings is rarely straightforward. This experience left me with many lessons, but two stand out:
- Impactful research begins with listening
- Impact is contagious
Impactful research begins with listening
Over the past year, the importance of listening first has continually resurfaced. I had the opportunity to sit in rooms with growers and industry professionals, sometimes as a presenter, but most importantly as a listener. Through these interactions, I’ve learned that research only matters if it reaches people in ways that are useful and relevant to the challenges they actually face. That requires listening and a willingness to adjust when what you hear doesn’t align with your plans.
I often arrived at events with preconceived ideas about how my research should be shared or applied. When I first presented my field findings, I focused on highlighting methods and data to showcase the effort behind the work. However, those focuses have since shifted. I realized that while these elements are valued, what truly makes an impact are clear takeaways, connections to real-world conditions, and practical resources people can apply. I was consistently reminded that growers are experts in their own operations and in the realities of day-to-day fresh produce food safety. These conversations reinforced the need to listen not only when sharing research but also before conducting it or developing resources to ensure applicability to those you are trying to impact.
Because of all this, I have come to understand that translating research into practice is rarely straightforward. During my graduate studies, I’ve seen how easily a gap can form when research doesn’t reflect real-world conditions, especially within the complexity of fresh produce systems. Listening made that gap impossible to ignore. As it turns out, this project isn’t as simple as turning research findings into a fact sheet or journal publication and moving on to the next dissertation project. I learned that effective research communication should be multifaceted, such as combining scientific publications with factsheets, decision trees, and practical tools to reach diverse audiences. Just as important is ensuring these resources are accessible and that people know how to use them. Research cannot simply be “set in the woods” or, better yet, a produce field, and left for others to find and interpret on their own.
As I close this chapter of my fellowship, this is a lesson I will carry with me. Taking the time to listen deepened my understanding, built trust, and pushed me to approach my research with greater intention. It may seem obvious on paper, but until you stand in a room and truly listen to your audience, it is difficult to understand their needs or how best to support them.
Impact is contagious
One of the most unexpected sources of inspiration this year wasn’t just my own work; it was witnessing the work of the other fellows. Throughout the fellowship, I had the chance to hear about the projects my peers were leading. From tackling local environmental issues to strengthening connections, each story carried both impact and complexity. Beyond the tangible outcomes, the challenges behind each project stood out, such as navigating trust, adapting to community needs, and staying committed even when progress felt slow. Sharing our unique project journeys created a sense of shared purpose. Even though we worked in different places and on different issues, we were contributing to a greater effort: making science more connected, inclusive, and grounded in real-world impact.
These experiences expanded my understanding of what community-based work can look like. They reminded me that meaningful impact doesn’t follow a single path. Each fellow approached their work differently, shaped by the needs and strengths of their communities. It also made me aware of my own impact on others. Even when I may not realize or intend to, others may also become inspired by my work or my passion for the work. Continually sharing my work may bring impact in places or to people that I least expect.
Looking to the future
As I move into the final stage of this work, my focus is on ensuring these findings reach and are useful to the people who can apply them. While conducting the research was a significant milestone, translating it into something practical and accessible is next, and perhaps the most challenging step. The field work I previously described contributes to a broader effort funded by the Center for Produce Safety and has been incorporated into a risk assessment tool for growers. The tool is intended to support decision-making by providing a scientific foundation. However, its success depends on more than its development, as we must ensure it is practical and delivers meaningful outputs.
Equally important is the need for education alongside the tool’s release. Creating a resource, as I have learned, is not enough; people need to know it exists, understand how to use it, and see its value. This can be difficult in the fast-paced nature of research, where one project quickly gives way to the next, shifting priorities. Even though this fellowship is ending, my work in educating the fresh produce community on my findings is far from over.
I’m completing this fellowship with stronger technical skills and a deeper appreciation for the importance of community, trust, and collaboration. While I gained valuable insights into fresh produce safety research, it is the community-based aspects that will stay with me. This experience reinforced that science isn’t just about discovery, it’s about connection. And the most meaningful work happens when those two things come together.