Faculty member Abani Pradhan recognized for his exceptional contributions to the field of risk analysis
The Society for Risk Analysis awarded the 2015 Chauncey Starr Distinguished Young Risk Analyst Award to Abani Pradhan, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science and Center for Food Safety and Security Systems at the University of Maryland. Pradhan was honored for his work addressing critical food safety issues such as the risk of foodborne pathogens in fresh produce, dairy products, meat and poultry.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award, especially when I look at the distinguished list of past recipients,” said Pradhan. “Risk analysis is extremely important for the future of the global food supply and I am proud to be part of a group of professionals working in this emerging field.”
The Chauncey Starr Distinguished Young Risk Analyst Award recognizes “any member age 40 years or younger for outstanding achievement in science or public policy relating to risk analysis and exceptional promise for continued contributions to risk analysis.” Pradhan was presented with the award at the SRA’s annual meeting on December 8th in Arlington, Va.
The Society for Risk Analysis is a multidisciplinary international society that provides an open forum for all those interested in risk analysis. There are nearly 2,000 members from academia, government, industry, consulting and non-governmental organizations.
Pradhan and other members of his lab have been conducting interdisciplinary research addressing food safety issues related to foodborne pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Toxoplasma gondii. Some of his research projects include predictive modeling and risk assessments for harmful bacteria and parasites in produce, meat and dairy products, as well as antimicrobial resistance and dynamics of endemic infectious diseases on dairy farms.
