Emma Hartnett

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.