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Davis College Dean Donahue serves on international committee for food safety

Dean Darrell Donahue sitting at table.


It’s not every day that someone gets to live out their purpose in life, but West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design Dean Darrell Donahue is doing just that in helping to ensure safe food across the world.


Because of his expertise in international food safety, Donahue was asked to become a member of the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods—he is one of 20 individuals from 14 different countries. Prior to becoming a member of the commission in 2016, he served as a consultant to the group for three years.


Under direction of the World Health Organization of the United Nations, the primary goal of the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods is to provide timely, science-based guidance for government and industry on evaluating and controlling the microbiological safety of foods.


As a chemical engineer, Donahue uses his statistics, modeling and simulation expertise to help nations overcome obstacles in order to maintain international food microbiological standards—in the end improving food safety around the world to help protect our global food supply.


“The thought of people in the world suffering from hunger is extremely unsettling to me,” Donahue said. “By being a part of this commission, I feel that, in some small way, I am making a difference in the world.”


The commission is currently working on a book that takes a look forward at the future of food safety and what the food safety obstacles might be in 2050 and beyond. Donahue is authoring a chapter on food safety modeling that will cover topics such as ways to reduce freshwater use in agriculture and food production while maintaining food safety.


“We are proud of Dean Donahue for being selected to represent the Davis College and the University on an international stage to ensure there is a safe food supply on a global level,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed said.


Dean Donahue will travel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in early November to attend the Dubai International Food Safety Conference, where he will attend the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods annual meeting and continue his fundamental work to ensure global food safety.


The Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design envisions a world sustainably fed, clothed and sheltered. To learn more about the Davis College, visit davis.wvu.edu. Keep up with the latest updates and news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by following @WVUDavis.


-WVU-


lw/10/31/22    

 

CONTACT: Lindsay Wiles   
Director of Marketing and Communications 
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design   
304-293-2381; Lindsay.Wiles@mail.wvu.edu