Barak, Jeri Dawn Research Microbiologist

University of California, Davis Ph.D. 2000 Plant Pathology

San Jose State University B.S. 1993 Marine Biology

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# Positions and Honors

**[Positions and Employment]{.underline}**

2001- Research Microbiologist at the USDA, ARS, Produce Safety and
Microbiology Research Unit, Albany, CA

2000-2001 Research Plant Pathologist

#### Other Experience and Professional Memberships

2003 -- American Society for Microbiology

1999 -- Member of the Bacteriology Committee for APS

1994 -- American Phytopathological Society (APS)

#### Honors

2004 USDA, ARS EEO/CR National Award, Agricultural Sciences Academic
Workshop

2003 USDA, ARS Certificate of Merit for outreach to high school students
for careers in science

2002 USDA, ARS Certificate of Merit for research activities

1999 National Academy of Science Travel Award

1999 Graduate Studies Travel Award, 6^th^ International *Pseudomonas
syringae* Conference

1998 Lyle Leach Travel Award, American Phytopathological Society Annual
Meeting

**B. Selected peer-reviewed publications**

1.  **Barak, J., D.**, Jahn, C. E., Gibson, D. L., and Charkowski, A.
    O., 2007. The role of cellulose and lipopolysacchrides in the
    colonization of plants by *Salmonella enterica*. Mol. Plant Microbe
    Interact. In press.

2.  Mohle-Boetani, J., Farrar, J., Bradley, P., **Barak, J.**, Miller,
    M., Mandrel, R., Mead, P., Keen, W., Cummings, K., Abbott, S., and
    Benson Werner, S. 2007. Seven outbreaks of *Salmonella enterica*
    serovar Enteritidis infections associated with mung bean sprouts
    2000-2002: epidemiological and environmental investigations.
    Epidemiology & Infection. Accepted with revision.

3.  **Barak, J. D.**, Gorski, L., Naraghi-Arani, P.,
    Charkowski, A. O. 2005. *Salmonella enterica* virulence genes are
    required for bacterial attachment to plant tissue. Applied
    Environmental Microbiology. 71 (10) 5685-5691.

4.  **Barak, J. D.**, Sananikone, K., and Delwiche, M. J. 2005.
    Comparison of primers for the detection of pathogenic *E. coli*
    using real-time PCR. Letters in Applied Microbiology. 41: 112-118.

5.  Yap, M. N., Yang, C. H., **Barak, J. D.**, Jahn, C. E., and
    Charkowski, A. O. 2005. The *Erwinia chrysanthemi* type III
    secretion system is required for multicellular behavior. Journal of
    Bacteriology. 187: 639-648.

6.  Jackson, E., Delwiche, M., **Barak, J.**, Charkowski, A., and
    Suslow, T. 2004. Sensor components for PCR detection of *Salmonella*
    in alfalfa sprout irrigation water. Transactions of the ASAE. 47:
    2137-2144*.*

7.  Yap, M. N., **Barak, J. D.**, and Charkowski, A. O. 2004. Genomic
    diversity of *Erwinia carotovora* subsp. carotovora and its
    correlation with virulence. Applied Environmental Microbiology. 70:
    3013-3023.

8.  Csordas, A. T., **Barak, J. D.**, and Delwiche, M. J. 2004.
    Comparison of primers for the detection of *Salmonella enterica*
    serovars using real-time PCR. Letters in Applied Microbiology. 39:
    187-193.

9.  **Barak, J. D.**, Chue, B., and Mills, D. 2003. Recovery of surface
    bacteria from and surface sanitization of cantaloupes. J. Food Prot.
    66: 1805-1810.

10. **Barak, J. D.** and Gilbertson, R. L. 2003. Genetic diversity of
    *Xanthomonas campestris* pv. *vitians*, the causal agent of
    bacterial leafspot of lettuce. Phytopathology. 93: 596-603.

11. **Barak, J. D.**, Whitehand, L. C., and Charkowski, A. O. 2002.
    Differences in attachment of *Salmonella enterica* serovars and
    *Escherichia coli* O157:H7 to alfalfa sprouts. Applied Environmental
    Microbiology. 68: 4758-4763.

12. Charkowski, A. O., **Barak, J. D.**, Sarreal, C. Z., and
    Mandrell, R. E. 2002. Growth and colonization of *Salmonella
    enterica* and *Escherichia coli* O157:H7 on alfalfa sprouts and the
    effects of sprouting temperature, inoculum dose, and frequency of
    irrigation on bacterial levels. Applied Environmental Microbiology.
    68: 3114-3120.

13. **Barak, J. D.**, Koike, S. T, and Gilbertson, R. L. 2002.
    Long-distance movement of *Xanthomonas campestris* pv. *vitians* in
    the stems of lettuce plants. Plant Pathology. 51: 506-512.

14. **Barak, J. D.**, Koike, S. T, and Gilbertson, R. L. 2001. Role of
    crop debris and weeds in the epidemiology of bacterial leaf spot of
    lettuce, caused by *Xanthomonas campestris* pv. *vitians*, in
    California. Plant Disease 85: 169-178.

15. Koike, S. T., **Barak, J. D.**, Henderson, D. M., and
    Gilbertson, R. L. 1999. Bacterial blight of leek: a new disease in
    California caused by *Pseudomonas syringae*. Plant Disease 83:
    165-170.

####### Invitations

1.  USDA, CSREES, National Integrated Food Safety Initiative, 2007,
    grant panel.

2.  Invited talk, "Human bacterial pathogens on fresh produce -- What we
    know and research needs." 2007. "Hot Topics" Symposium. American
    Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.

3.  Invited talk, "Molecular mechanisms utilized by bacterial plant and
    animal pathogens on plants." 2006. 11^th^ International Symposium on
    Microbial Ecology. Vienna, Austria.

4.  Keynote speaker, "Molecular mechanisms used by human pathogens to
    colonize plants." 2006. Workshop: Food safety, fact or fiction?
    Human pathogens in the vegetable chain, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

5.  Invited talk, "Novel approaches to microbial detection." 2005.
    Second International Melon Food Safety and Quality Symposium,
    CIAD-Hermosillo, Mexico.

6.  Invited talk, "Strategies exploited by *Salmonella* and friends on
    plants." 2004. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting,
    Anaheim, CA.

7.  Invited talk, "New approaches to microbial detection." 2004. First
    International Melon Food Safety Symposium, Coalinga, CA.

8.  Invited talk, "New approaches for the detection and management of
    foodborne human pathogens on fresh produce." 2002. American
    Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI

9.  Invited talk, "Identification and characterization of a new foliar
    pathogen of leek in California." 1998. Plant Pathogenic Bacteria
    Conference, Berkeley, CA.