Summer season Addo, Ph.D., is an enforcement, investigations and evaluation officer (EIAO), and has been with the USDA’s Meals Security and Inspection Service’s Workplace of Area Operations for greater than 11 years. In her present position, she conducts public well being threat evaluations for meat and poultry institutions and makes suggestions relating to enforcement actions. Addo performs on-site, routine and for-cause meals security assessments to confirm the design and correct functioning of a plant’s meals security and course of management techniques. Different duties embody amassing vital info pertaining to product recall actions and conducting outreach actions to assist small and really small institutions cut back dangers.
Her UGA training
Addo pursued back-to-back levels on the College of Georgia (UGA) in Athens, GA. Initially a pre-medical pupil, she accomplished her bachelor’s of science diploma in microbiology in 2001.
In the course of the summer time between her undergraduate and graduate packages, she participated in a minority undergraduate summer time program and labored in a analysis laboratory on the UGA College of Pharmacy learning the placental switch of antiviral medication in being pregnant. She then continued her research at UGA, acquiring her doctorate in 2006 in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences.
She believes FSIS empowers her to achieve success in defending public well being by offering a wealth of sources equivalent to directives, tips and coverage consultants to extend her data relating to the hazards and management measures related to meat, poultry and egg merchandise. In 2017, she took benefit of the alternatives offered by FSIS’ Persevering with Schooling Program and earned a Certificates of Proficiency in meals science from Washington State College. The meals science programs augmented her undergraduate research in microbiology and offered further perception into the microbial pathogens particular to meals, which in flip superior her understanding of the organic hazards related to meat and poultry merchandise.
FSIS profession path
Initially, Addo deliberate to pursue a profession in pharmaceutical analysis, however after acquiring her doctorate, she wasn’t capable of relocate to areas of the nation with massive pharmaceutical firms. As an alternative, she took a five-year break devoted to elevating her two toddlers. Mentioned Addo, “These years spent have been invaluable, however I spotted that I wanted to begin my profession. I used to be not eager on a profession in academia, so I started looking for native analysis positions. As I used to be looking on-line, I noticed many superior positions that piqued my curiosity in FSIS.” In 2011, she utilized for a place as an FSIS meals inspector (FI) in hopes of finally transitioning to a place through which she might make the most of her scientific background and analytical abilities.
She started her FSIS profession as an FI in a poultry slaughter institution in 2011. Over time, she continued to advance as alternatives arose that match the wants of her household. “I used to be blessed to earn promotions to assignments with appropriate schedules with out having to relocate. This included shopper security inspector positions beginning in 2016 and finally the EIAO place in 2021.”
FSIS core values
Of the 4 FSIS Core Values — Accountable, Collaborative, Empowered and Options-Oriented — Addo believes collaborative finest defines her. She stated, “I attempt to collaborate successfully inside FSIS and with business companions. We work collectively to make sure that the meals security packages are designed and applied correctly to forestall adulterated product from coming into commerce. “I particularly like collaborating with small and really small institutions that will not have the cash, sources or scientific experience of bigger institutions to supply sources and enter to assist them enhance their course of.”
New to the workforce, she finds her co-workers to be very welcoming and supportive, freely sharing their data and work strategies and offering many sources and instruments to assist her reach her place. Mentioned Addo, “It really attests to everybody’s shared objective of selling meals security by guaranteeing that the whole workforce is well-equipped with the right instruments to achieve success. We work collectively as a workforce to carry out routine Listeria pattern collections at institutions and collaborate on assignments to make sure that we will collectively present the best impression on meals security.”
Addo’s supervisor, Debra Halteman, supervisory EIAO acknowledged, “Dr. Addo exemplifies FSIS core values by her collaborative work efforts by being a conscientious workforce participant. Dr. Addo prioritizes her duties and duties as she works towards options by contemplating all angles of a scenario. She has a nice, relaxed communication type as she works diligently towards resolving points. Dr. Addo is devoted to the accomplishment of the Company’s public well being mission. It’s a pleasure working together with her.”
FSIS mentoring program
In 2016, Addo participated within the FSIS Mentoring Program the place she was mentored by Jackson District Frontline Supervisor Willis Wright. Wright helped her develop group, communication, time administration and work-life stability abilities. He emphasised placing your finest effort into every part, day by day — recommendation Addo has adopted all through the years.
Client Security Inspector (CSI) LaBarron Dixon has additionally served as a mentor to Addo. As a CSI, he taught her to take a look at the “massive image” relating to meals security techniques. “He has all the time expressed his confidence in my data and talents and all the time encourages me to hunt new heights in my profession,” stated Addo.
Outdoors of labor
Outdoors of labor, Addo enjoys spending time within the kitchen together with her two kids — Elijah, 14, and Anaiya, 13 — the place she teaches them about meals security practices relating to correct handwashing, the dealing with of uncooked and cooked meals and cooking meals to correct temperatures.
After witnessing frequent well being points in her household, Dr. Addo began working with an area working group a number of years in the past; she is set to by no means cease pursuing a wholesome life-style. She has run a number of 5K and 10K races, in addition to two half-marathons. She additionally enjoys scrapbooking, portray, watching Marvel films and touring together with her kids.
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