Jul 22, 2026
In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Jeri Barak of the University of Wisconsin. They discuss the work of Jeri and her lab on food safety and how in some instances plant pathogens can increase the chances that you encounter a human pathogen when eating fresh produce.
Additional Resources
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aem.01330-22
https://journals.asm.org/doi/epub/10.1128/aem.01311-24
Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction to Microbial Research and Background
06:34 Transition from Marine Biology to Plant Pathology
09:56 Understanding Enteric Human Pathogens
11:46 Overview of Current Research in Food Safety
16:37 The Role of Salmonella in Agriculture
22:01 Interaction Between Plant Pathogens and Human Pathogens
28:34 The Role of Plant Pathogens in Human Health
31:19 Management Strategies for Bacterial Diseases
35:08 Future Directions in Research
39:20 Consumer Awareness and Food Safety
42:30 The Importance of Research in Food Security
48:21 outro with logo.mp4
Zaworski, E. (Host) and Barak, J. (Interviewee). S5:E14 (Podcast). What's Lurking in the Lettuce?. 7/22/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.