Meet the Team
Taylor O' Bannon
State Specialized Agent
Citrus Research and Education Center
Email: taylorlangford@ufl.edu
Renée Goodrich-Schneider
Professor, Food Science
Food Science and Human Nutrition Department
Email: goodrich@ufl.edu
Clara Diekman
Education and Training Specialist II
Citrus Research and Education Center
Email: cdiekman97@ufl.edu
Michelle Danyluk
Professor Food Microbiology and Safety
Citrus Research and Education Center
Email: mddanyluk@ufl.edu
Peggy Geren Reyes
Extension Program Specialist
Citrus Research and Education Center
Email: pgeren@ufl.edu
Micah Gallagher
Produce Safety Education & Training Specialist II
Food Science and Human Nutrition Department
Email: micah.gallagher@ufl.edu
Keith Schneider
Professor, Food Safety
Food Science and Human Nutrition Department
Email: keiths29@ufl.edu
Christina Kessler
Extension Program Specialist
Citrus Research and Education Center
Email: christinakessler@ufl.edu
Karuna Kharel
Postdoctoral Associate
Food Science and Human Nutrition Department
Email: kkharel@ufl.edu
Taylor O'Bannon, MS
State Specialized Agent-Food Safety - Email - UF Faculty Page
Taylor O’Bannon is the State Specialized Agent-Food Safety based out of the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, Florida. She has developed a broad foundation of food safety knowledge ranging from meats, animal food, and produce. Taylor earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Animal Sciences from the University of Florida.
In her role, she facilitates extension programming around the state of Florida in the areas of food safety and food regulations. She works to support Florida’s produce industry members, county and regional extension agents, and works closely with state and national governments to provide technical assistance, education, and training.
Michelle Danyluk, Ph.D.
Professor, Food Microbiology & Safety- Email - UF Faculty Page
Michelle is a Professor of Food Safety and Microbiology in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, at the University of Florida. She is situated in the Citrus Research and Education Center, in Lake Alfred, FL. Michelle completed her Ph.D. in food science from the University of California, Davis. Her current research and extension interests include microbial food safety and quality, emphasizing the microbiology of fruit juices, fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts. Michelle was elected a member of the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Food in 2016 and to the International Association for Food Protection Executive Board in 2019.
Clara Diekman, MS
Education and Training Specialist II - Email - UF Faculty Page
Clara joined the produce safety extension team in August of 2022. She is based out of the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, FL working under Dr. Michelle Danyluk. Her primary roles include serving as a produce safety trainer, coordinating and facilitating Produce Safety Alliance Grower Trainings, and conducting On-Farm Readiness Reviews throughout the state.
Micah Gallagher, MS
Produce Safety Education & Training Specialist II - Email - UF Blog
My name is Micah Gallagher and I joined the produce food safety team in May of 2022. I am based out of the Gainesville office on campus with Dr. Goodrich. I am a Florida native and love working with producers across the state.
Christina Kessler, MS
Extension Program Specialist - Email - UF Faculty Page
Christina’s educational background is in Nutritional Science and Food Science. She has several years of experience in the fresh-cut produce industry and joined the produce safety extension team in March 2021. Christina is based out of the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, FL, working under Dr. Michelle Danyluk. Her primary role includes serving as a grant coordinator for CONTACT and supporting extension food safety trainings.
Peggy Geren Reyes
Extension Program Specialist - Email - UF Faculty Page
I am the UF Southern Center/ Citrus REC Extension Program Assistant and point of contact between the SC and the rest of the FSMA Regional Centers. I help support the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliant training, education, extension, outreach, and technical assistance as it relates to the produce industry.
Renée Goodrich-Schneider, Ph.D.
Professor, Food Science - Email - UF Faculty Page
Renée is a Professor of Food Science in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Florida. Renee completed her B.S. in Chemical Engineering and M.S. in Food Science & Technology from the Cornell University and Ph.D. in Food Science & Human Nutrition from the University of Florida. Her current research and extension interests include food safety in processing and distribution systems, and the effect of processing on microbial, chemical and nutritional qualities of foods. Special areas include fruit and vegetable processing, as well as beverage and juice technology.
Karuna Kharel, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Associate - Email - UF Directory Page
Karuna Kharel is currently a post-doctoral associate at the University of Florida working on produce safety research and extension activities. She is studying the survival of bacteria in soil aided with different biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO) and its transfer to fresh produce. She is involved in food safety extension activities- as a trainer in food safety trainings like PSA growers training and FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food, has developed food safety training materials, helped growers/processors with writing food safety plans, among others.
Keith Schneider, Ph.D.
Professor, Food Safety - Email - UF Faculty Page
The main focus of Dr. Schneider’s research has been on food safety, with particular emphasis on produce safety and food defense. The University of Florida is heavily involved in improving the quality and safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Dr. Schneider’s program has been influenced by an increase in the number and frequency of foodborne illnesses associated with the consumption of raw fruits and vegetables. His on-going research program has examined etiologic factors, contamination mechanisms, and intervention strategies, as well as the production of educational materials.