Welcome... Amelia Navarre

You bring a unique skill set to the Food Safety Strategy team - how will this benefit our clients and complement the team dynamic? 

Hello! I’m Amelia, a food microbiologist turned farmer, turned food microbiologist and farmer. I am excited to bring my academic background to Food Safety Strategy. I got my MS in food science last spring, when I became a Campylobacter jejuni obsessive. I was in the academic groove when suddenly I defended my thesis and graduated. I traveled and settled in Vermont, finding work on an organic vegetable farm. This work led me to discover that while I had a degree from the College of Agriculture Sciences, I had never pulled a potato from warm soil or rehoused a tomato hornworm. So, I’m excited to bring my experience with asking questions and translating specific knowledge to broad audiences, with a new understanding of practical food safety challenges. I’m excited to absorb as much as possible from Jennifer and Gretchen while contributing my microbiology knowledge to the team! 

What’s a memorable moment from your career so far that shaped how you approach problem‑solving or teamwork? 

One of the most memorable parts of my career has been mentoring undergraduate students. I assumed it would be me mostly teaching them technical skills and experimental design, but I realized that they taught me just as much about teamwork. Guiding them through troubleshooting, managing setbacks and celebrating successes has informed how I approach collaboration. They taught me that problem-solving isn’t about having all the answers, but that it was about creating a non-judgmental environment where they felt comfortable coming to me, sharing ideas and asking questions.   

What excites you or makes you nervous about working with Food Safety Strategy?  

I’m excited to get my science brain whirring again! I’ve been out of practice since submitting my thesis and can’t wait to jump back into the field I dedicated my academic career to.  

When you're not thinking about food safety, what hobby or activity brings you the most joy or energy? 

Swimming! I love being in the water and gliding back and forth in a pool. I’m desperately waiting for the Vermont snow to hurry up and melt so I can enjoy the many watering holes up here.