Ph.D. (1991), Microbiology
North Carolina State University

Microbial food safety and quality of tree nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, and temperature sensitive fresh-cut fruits and vegetables.

Membership in graduate group: Food Science

My research is focused on microbial food safety emphasizing the microbiology of fresh fruits and vegetables and tree nuts.  I have worked to develop and validate standard microbiological methods and have used these methods to evaluate the behavior of foodborne pathogens on fruits, vegetables and tree nuts under different storage and processing conditions.  These methods have also been used to evaluate antimicrobial treatments including various sanitizers and thermal processes for their efficacy in reducing microbial populations on various cut and intact produce and tree nut surfaces.

• Danyluk, M. D., M. Nozawa-Inoue, K. R. Hristova, K. M. Scow, B. D. Lampinen, and L. J. Harris.  2008.  Survival and growth of Salmonella Enteritidis PT 30 in almond orchard soils.  J. Appl. Microbiol. 104:1391-1399.
• Palumbo, M.S. J.R. Gorny, D.E. Gombas, L.R. Beuchat, C. M. Bruhn, B. Cassens, P. Delaquis, J. M. Farber, L. J. Harris, K. Ito, M.T. Osterholm, M. Smith, and K.M.J. Swanson.  2007.  Recommendations for handling fresh-cut leafy green salads by consumers and retail foodservice operators.  Trends Food Prot.  27:892-898.
• Du, W.-X., M. D. Danyluk, and L. J. Harris. 2007. Evaluation of cleaning treatments for almond-contact surfaces.  Trends Food Prot. 9:678-683.
• Danyluk, M., D., L. J. Harris, and D. W. Schaffner.  2006.  Monte Carlo simulations assessing the risk of salmonellosis from consumption of almonds.  J. Food Prot. 69:1594-1599.
• Parnell, T.L., L. J. Harris, and T. V. Suslow.  2005.  Reducing Salmonella on cantaloupes and honeydew melons using wash practices applicable to postharvest handling, foodservice, and consumer preparation.  Int. J. Food Microbiol. 99:59-70.
• Danyluk, M.D., A.R. Uesugi, and L.J. Harris. 2005.  Survival of Salmonella Entertidis PT 30 on inoculated almonds after commercial fumigation with propylene oxide.  J. Food Prot. 68:1613-1622.
• Flessa, A.D., D.M. Lusk, L.J. Harris.  2005.  Survival of Listeria monocytogenes on fresh and frozen strawberries.  Int. J. Food Microbiol. 101:255-262.
• Isaacs, S.J. Aramini, B. Ceibin, J.A. Farrar, R. Ahmed, D. Middleton, A.U. Chandran, L.J. Harris, M. Howes, E. Chan, A.S. Pichette, K. Campbell, A. Gupta, L.J. Lior, M. Pearce, C. Clark, F. Rogers, F. Jamieson, I. Brophy, and A. Ellis.  2005.  An international outbreak of salmonellosis associated with raw almonds contaminated with a rare phage type of Salmonella Enteritidis.  J. Food Prot.  68:191-198.
• Parnell, T.L., L.J. Harris, and T.V. Suslow.  2005.  Reducing Salmonella on cantaloupes and honeydew melons using wash practices applicable to postharvest handling, foodservice, and consumer preparation.  Int. J. Food Microbiol. 99:59-70.
• Lang, M.M., L.J. Harris, and L.R. Beuchat.  2004.  Survival and recovery of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes on lettuce and parsley as affected by method of inoculation, time between inoculation and analysis, and treatment with chlorinated water.  Journal of Food Protection.  67:1092-1103.
• Lang, M.M., L.J. Harris, and L.R. Beuchat.  2004   Evaluation of inoculation method and inoculum drying time for their effects on survival and efficiency of recovery of Escherichia coli O157:h7, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes inoculated on the surface of tomatoes.  Journal of Food Protection, 67:732-741.
• Harris, L.J., J.N. Farber, L.R. Beuchat, M.E. Parish, T.V. Suslow, E.H. Garrett, F.F. Busta.  2003.  Outbreaks associated with fresh produce:  Incidence, growth and survival of pathogens in fresh and fresh-cut produce.  Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety.  2S:78-141.
• Beuchat, L.R., F.F. Busta, J.N. Farber, E.H. Garrett, L.J. Harris, M.E. Parish, T.V. Suslow.  2003.  Analysis and evaluation of preventive control measures for the control and reduction/elimination of microbial hazards on fresh and fresh-cut produce.  A report of the Institute of Food Technologists for the Food and Drug Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.  Comprehensive Review in Food Science and Food Safety.  2S:1-200.
• Parnell, T.L. and L.J. Harris.  2003.  Reducing Salmonella on apples using wash practices commonly used by consumers.  J. Food Prot.  66:741-747.