Caitlin Karolenko is a food microbiologist and Scientific Program Manager at the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS) in Washington DC. In this role, she leads cross-sector projects that connect government, industry and academia to address critical food safety challenges. Her work spans from organizing high-impact symposia to playing a pivotal role in a public-private partnership to advance data-driven pathogen control policies. She also oversees institute-wide initiatives to promote the highest standards of scientific integrity in food and nutrition research. Passionate about strengthening public trust in science, Caitlin regularly writes for industry publications, translating complex microbiological issues into clear, accessible insights for both technical and public audience. She is equally dedicated to mentoring early-career scientists and fostering the next generation of food safety leaders. Caitlin holds a BS in Biological Sciences from the University of Connecticut and a PhD in Food Science from Oklahoma State University. She is an active member of IAFP and IFT.