Food Protection Trends - September/October 2016 - 387

BEYOND the BIO Needless to say, Bob enjoys the challenges and thrills of solving food safety issues. He has served on a wide range of national and international committees on food safety, including being a U.S. delegate to the Codex Alimentarius Committee on Food Hygiene. He is also co-developer of the USDA Pathogen Modeling Program. Challenges and thrills guide his passions away from the office as well - music and poker. Time Out for Fun and Games "Music has been part of my life almost as long as my interest in microbiology," explains Bob, who started playing the guitar at age 14. Today, he plays in amateur rock and roll bands and is refreshing his skills through advanced guitar lessons. "Actually, I am trying to change some bad playing habits I developed over years of doing it myself," he confesses. Whether it's playing for his own enjoyment, irregular performances with his band or solo shots on open mic nights, Bob's music is shaped by his interest in the folk rock music of his youth and the blues. Between work and guitar, Bob manages to sandwich in time for poker tournaments. "It's a perfect game to put my math and predictive microbiology to work outside the lab environment," he explains. "It's not about winning high stakes games, it's about keeping my mind active." What's Ahead on Bob's Busy Schedule? Rumor has it that there may be more guitar playing, poker games, spending time with his wife and daughter and traveling for pleasure in Bob's future. "I'm thinking about scaling back this fall," admits Bob. "Maybe work a few days from home and a few days from campus." According to Bob's wife, Pamela, a retired attorney, that means working 10-hour days five days a week instead of seven! WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD TO EAT (AND WHY)? I lean to Italian and Asian cuisines. One is comfort food for me (I am part Italian) and the other has fascinating blends of flavors and textures. WHAT FOOD WILL YOU AVOID AT ALL COSTS (AND WHY)? There are only a couple of foods that I have allowed my profession to get in the way of sampling: raw shellfish, wild mushrooms picked by anyone other than a trained mycologist, and eating home-canned low acid foods. CARE TO SHARE A POKER TIP WITH US? The key to winning poker is to understand probability, avoid "feeling" about the outcome of the next hand and learn the betting patterns of your opponents and make sure you survive long enough to take advantage of it. WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE MUSICIANS? Mostly people from my youth, and many are still performing - Eric Clapton, Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell, to name a few. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE IAFP EXPERIENCE (AND WHY)? I consider being invited to give the Silliker lecture and receiving the President's Lifetime Achievement Award to be among the highlights of my career. WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST INTERESTING DESTINATION YOU VISITED (AND WHY)? I have had the opportunity to spend time in 74 countries. The most interesting one will surely be the next one I visit. September/October Food Protection Trends 387

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