
Emma Hartnett
Vice-President Risk Modelling and Simulation
PhD, BSc
Joined RSI in 2006
Personal introduction
I am an internationally-recognized expert in risk assessment with experience in diverse risk domains including toxicological, microbiological, and nutritional hazards. I hold a B.Sc. in Microbiology and a Ph.D. in Statistics and Modelling Science. My Ph.D. journey introduced me to the risk assessment field with my thesis focused upon developing a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) model for human infection from campylobacter in chicken. I now specialize in the application of QRA approaches to risk issues related to biological sciences, and risk modelling broadly with a particular emphasis on simulation.
I have developed QRA and decision support tools for wide range of issues, including infectious diseases, microbial and chemical hazards in food and water, exploring the incursion of transboundary animal diseases (for example foot and mouth disease), tools supporting bioterrorism preparedness and response for both microbial and chemical attack agents, and tools to support pandemic health system needs (surge capacity).
I frequently provide expertise to World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) initiatives in microbial risk assessment, and I was selected to be part of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) Roster of Experts (2018-2022). My contributions include as chair of the development of “Guidance of Microbiological Risk Assessment for Food” (posted June 2020 for public comment).
Additional notable activities include providing peer review to The National Academies, Letter Report on the Review of the Food Safety and Inspection Service Proposed Risk-Based Approach to the Application of Public-Health Attribution, and Council of Canadian Academies, Healthy Animals, Healthy Canadians: The Expert Panel on Approaches to Animal Health Risk Assessment, and an invited report to the 35th session of the European Commission for the control of Foot and Mouth Disease.
Emma Hartnett: Current Focus
Emma currently works on the development of risk-based decision-making processes and tools to support public risk assessment. Current focus includes:
- Working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency exploring methodologies to support risk-based monitoring of contaminants in food,
- Working with Transport Canada to develop guidelines and methodologies to support risk-based decisions related to public risks from the transportation system.
- Working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on continuing expansions and improvements to the FDA-iRISK tool.
Dr. Hartnett also provides training in risk analysis and quantitative risk assessment having previously provided training around the world including Canada, USA, UK, Bahrain, Egypt, China, UAE.
Emma Hartnett: Extra-curricular
Emma enjoys karate and is working towards black belt (shodan). Emma won Gold at the 2020 Douvris Virtual In-house Tournament which included participants from Canada, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Panama. With any extra time, Emma enjoys watching movies, reading, and cooking.