Tag Archives: academia

Katerina Mastovska

Mastovska Named AOAC Deputy Executive Director and Chief Science Officer

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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Katerina Mastovska

Dr. Katerina (Kate) Mastovska is the new Deputy Executive Director and Chief Science Officer of AOAC International. AOAC International is a globally recognized, 501(c)(3), independent, third party, not-for-profit association and developer of voluntary microbiological and chemical consensus standards.

Dr. Mastovska has been an active member of AOAC International since 2004 and received the association’s highest scientific honor, the Harvey W. Wiley Award, in 2021. She has extensive experience in research chemistry, which includes working for the University of Chemistry & Technology in Prague, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and founding her own independent consulting business, Excellcon International. Dr. Mastovska most recently served as Chief Scientific Officer, Eurofins U.S. Food Division.

“Kate has been an instrumental and involved member of AOAC for almost 20 years, and we’re so thrilled to have her officially join our team,” said Executive Director David B. Schmidt. “She will lead all science programs and projects at AOAC International and has excelled with the three main stakeholder sectors for AOAC: government, industry, and academia.”

“I’m delighted to join the AOAC staff and lead the team of dedicated scientists. AOAC has a critical role in food safety, and I’m inspired to continue to be a part of this important work,” said Dr. Mastovska.

The association has also promoted two current staff members, each with almost 20 years of experience at AOAC:

Dawn L. Frazier has been promoted to Deputy Executive Director, Engagement. Previously she served as Senior Director of Membership, Marketing, and Communications. Her responsibilities include leading and implementing the organization’s engagement strategy, which includes developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and partners, as well as overseeing outreach and communication efforts. The position serves as the membership, communications, publications, and meetings lead to achieve the strategic plan for AOAC. In her time at AOAC, she has provided guidance to the sections, overall membership, meetings, and education, as well as marketing and communications.

Deborah McKenzie has been promoted to the new role of Deputy Assistant Executive Director & Chief Standards Officer. McKenzie was Senior Director, Standards and Official Methods of Analysis. Her responsibilities include overseeing implementation and execution of voluntary consensus standards processes and the Official Methods of Analysis database. She and her team will coordinate and administer associated activities with standards development and method approval programs.

 

Maria Fontanazza, Food Safety Tech
Women in Food Safety

Help Us Shape Our Future Vision

By Maria Fontanazza, Melody Ge
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Maria Fontanazza, Food Safety Tech

Women in food safety are increasingly playing more critical roles in their organizations because of our objective decision-making, compassion, communication prowess and ability to collaborate. During this year’s Food Safety Consortium Virtual Series, we are pleased to join Food Safety Tech with a Women in Food Safety Day. It’s our day: We will discuss the challenges and opportunities that we encounter as a gender, especially during this uncertain era in the world. We will also address issues surrounding students who are devoting their research to improving food safety and quality. We welcome your contribution, support and ideas.

The 2020 Food Safety Consortium Virtual Series will take place every Thursday during the fall, beginning on September 10. If you are interested in presenting during the Women in Food Safety Day, we invite you to submit an abstract. Please note that the day in which the Women in Food Safety session will be held will be announced after we receive the abstracts.

When the Women in Food Safety group was first founded, the mission was to provide a community and networking platform for women in the industry to share their experiences and to seek advice from peers; more importantly, to help young female professionals and students to grow into future outstanding women leaders in the food safety industry.

To carry this mission, the group founder and committee are pleased to announce a mentorship program with below five focused areas:

  1. Diversity/culture: For women with a diverse background, focusing on their needs in different work culture
  2. Adventure Starts: For women in school, focusing on bridging the gap of moving from academia to industry; focus on starting their career, and create a pipeline for future food safety professionals
  3. The Future Leadership: For women at early career stage, focusing on step up to senior management, pipeline for future women leadership
  4. Working in Manufacturing: For women working in manufacturing sites, focusing on their needs in this specific work environment
  5. Work/Life balance: For women who are facing decision-makings, balancing work and life. The focus is on helping their needs when going through life’s exciting times and long leave from professional areas with minimal impact on work.

We welcome all industry professionals and fellows who are interested. We look forward to seeing you during the 2020 Food Safety Consortium Virtual Series, beginning on September 10. Together, we can make it. Join us to empower women and the food safety industry to leverage our unique leadership strength and skills.