Dr. Chaves is a food scientist with expertise in food safety microbiology, product and process validations, and food safety management systems. His research program focuses on (1) developing, evaluating, and optimizing physical and chemical antimicrobial interventions to mitigate contamination of foods animal origin, including pet food, and (2) characterizing bacterial and viral persistence and survival in food matrices, food contact surfaces, and food packaging materials. He uses a variety of tools such as microbial challenge studies and predictive microbiology to generate information with direct application to the food industry. His Extension efforts focus on providing onsite and virtual training and technical assistance to the food manufacturing industry in Nebraska and beyond. These activities revolve around regulatory compliance with the hazard analysis and critical control points system (HACCP) and the US FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations including good manufacturing practices and pathogen environmental monitoring. His Extension activities reach hundreds of food processors and manufactures via remote delivery, and he actively collaborates with colleagues across the U.S. to deliver up-to-date food safety and sanitation programming. He is the USDA FSIS Nebraska HACCP Coordinator, the North Central Region FSMA Center Nebraska State Lead, and a member of the USDA FSIS National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection. Education BS (Licenciatura) in Food Technology, University of Costa Rica MS in Food Science/Experimental Statistics, Clemson University Visiting Research Scientist, Centre for Food Safety at University College Dublin (Dublin, Ireland) and Food Safety Laboratories at ANSES (Maisons-Alfort, France) PhD Food Safety/Microbiology, Texas Tech University Postdoc – Food Microbiology, Texas Tech University Teaching and/or Extension Activities My extension program focuses on providing training and technical assistance to the Nebraska and regional food manufacturing industry. Activities include on-site food safety assessments for compliance with federal food safety regulations; development of environmental monitoring programs for pathogens; assisting with the development of HACCP and food safety plans; offering workshops and webinars to disseminate relevant food safety information; and teaching GMPs, HACCP and FSMA rule courses. Additionally, I am the State Lead for the North Central Region FSMA Center, leading efforts for the successful implementation of FDA food safety regulations across Nebraska. I enjoy visiting food facilities, interacting with processors, and helping Nebraskan produce safer, high quality foods.