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 Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory: Beltsville, MD
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ARS Home Northeast Area Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) Beltsville Agricultural Research Center Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory People & Locations







Cheryl L East

(Roberts)
                        Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory

                        




                        
                        Microbiologist
                        Phone: (301) 504-8996
                        
                        
                        Fax: (Employee information on this page comes from the REE Directory. Please contact your front office staff to update the REE Directory.)
                            **Publications**
                                                (Clicking on the reprint icon
                                                    Reprint Icon
                                                    will take you to the publication reprint.)A comparison of methods to detect low levels of Salmonella enterica in surface waters to support antimicrobial resistance surveillance efforts performed in multiple laboratories
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Kraft, A., Wells, J., Frye, J.G., Ibekwe, A.M., Durso, L.M., Hiott, L.M., East, C.L., Mcconn, B., Franklin, A.M., Boczek, L.A., Garland, J.L., Kabrera, C., Mcdermott, P., Ottesen, A.R., Zheng, J., Cook, K.L., Sharma, M. 2023. A comparison of methods to detect low levels of Salmonella enterica in surface waters to support antimicrobial resistance surveillance efforts performed in multiple laboratories  . Science of the Total Environment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167189.Variations in bacterial diversity and antibiotic resistance genes across diverse recycled and surface waters used for irrigation in the Mid-Atlantic and Southwest United States: A CONSERVE two-year field study
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Malayil, L., Ramachandran, P., Chattopadhyay, S., Allard, S.M., Bui, A., Butron, J., Callahan, M., Craddock, H., Murray, R., East, C.L., Sharma, M., Kniel, K.E., Micallef, S.A., Hashem, F., Gerba, C., Ravishankar, S., Parveen, S., May, E., Handy, E.T., Kulkarni, P., Anderson-Coughlin, B., Craighead, S., Gartley, S., Vanore, A., Duncan, R., Foust, D., Haymaker, J., Betancourt, W., Zhu, L., Mongodin, E., Sapkota, A., Sapkota, A.R. 2022. Variations in bacterial diversity and antibiotic resistance genes across diverse recycled and surface waters used for irrigation in the Mid-Atlantic and Southwest United States: A CONSERVE two-year field study. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c02281.The effect of a first-flush rainwater harvesting irrigation system on E. coli and pathogen concentrations in irrigation water, soil, and produce
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Morgado, M.E., Hudson, C.L., Chattopadhay, S., Ta, K., East, C.L., Purser, N., Allard, S., Ferrier, D.M., Sapokata, A.R., Sharma, M., Rosenburg-Goldstien, R. 2022. The effect of a first-flush rainwater harvesting irrigation system on E. coli and pathogen concentrations in irrigation water, soil, and produce. Science of the Total Environment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156976.Escherichia coli reductions in water by zero valent iron sand filtration is based on water quality parameters

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Kim, S., Eckart, K., Sabet, S., Chiu, P., Sapkota, A.R., Handy, E., East, C.L., Kniel, K.E., Sharma, M. 2021. Escherichia coli reductions in water by zero valent iron sand filtration is based on water quality parameters. Water. 13(19):2702.Levels of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in alternative irrigation water vary nased on water source on the Eastern Shore of Maryland
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Acheamfour, C., Parveen, S., Hashem, F., Sharma, M., Gerdes, M., May, E.B., Rogers, K., Haymaker, J., Duncan, R., Foust, D., Tabodi, M., Bradshaw, R., Handy, E.T., East, C.L., Kim, S., Micallef, S., Callahan, M., Allard, S., Anderson-Coughlin, B., Craighead, S., Gartley, S., Vanore, A., Kniel, K.E., Solaiman, S., Bui, A., Craddock, H.A., Kulkarni, P., Rosenberg-Goldstein, R., Sapkota, A.R. 2021. Levels of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in alternative irrigation water vary nased on water source on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 9:e00669-21. https://doi.org/10.1128/Spectrum.00669-21.Enteric viruses and Pepper Mild Mottle Virus show significant correlation in select Mid-Atlantic agricultural waters
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Anderson Coughlin, B., Craighead, S., Kelly, A., Vanore, A., Johnson, G., Jiang, C., Haymaker, J., White, C., Foust, D., Duncan, R., East, C.L., Handy, E., Bradshaw, R., Murray, R., Kulkarni, P., Solaiman, S., Betancourt, W., Gerba, C., Allard, S., Parveen, S., Hashem, F., Micallef, S., Sapkota, A., Sapkota, A., Sharma, M., Kniel, K. 2021. Enteric viruses and Pepper Mild Mottle Virus show significant correlation in select Mid-Atlantic agricultural waters. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 87:e00211-21. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00211-21.Zero-valent iron sand filtration can reduce human and plant pathogenic bacteria while increasing plant growth promoting 
bacteria in reclaimed water

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Zero-valent iron-sand filtration reduces Escherichia coli in surface water and leafy green growing environments
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Kim, S., Bradshaw, R., Kulkarni, P., Allard, S., Chiu, P.C., Sapkota, A.R., Kniel, K.E., Newell, M.J., Handy, E.T., East, C.L., Sharma, M. 2020. Zero-valent iron-sand filtration reduces Escherichia coli in surface water and leafy green growing environments. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.00112.A longitudinal assessment of Escherichia coli, total coliforms, Enterococcus and Aeromonas spp. dynamics in alternative irrigation water sources: A CONSERVE study
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Solaiman, S., Allard, S.M., Callahan, M., Jian, C., Handy, E.T., East, C.L., Haymaker, J., Bui, A., Craddock, H., Murray, R., Kulkurni, P., Anderson-Coughlin, B., Craighead, S., Gartley, S., Vanore, A., Duncan, R., Foust, D., Taabodi, M., Sapkota, A., May, E., Hashem, F., Parveen, S., Kniel, K., Sharma, M., Sapkota, A.R., Micalef, S.A. 2020. A longitudinal assessment of Escherichia coli, total coliforms, Enterococcus and Aeromonas spp. dynamics in alternative irrigation water sources: A CONSERVE study. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00342-20.The presence of Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Giardia intestinalis in potential alternative sources of agricultural water: a conserve project

- (Abstract Only)Prevalence of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in non-traditional irrigation waters in the Mid-Atlantic United States is affected by water type, season, and recovery volume

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Sharma, M., Handy, E.T., East, C.L., Kim, S., Jiang, C., Allard, S., Callahan, M.T., Micallef, S.A., Craighead, S., Anderson, B., Gartley, S., Vanore, A., Kniel, K., Haymaker, J.R., Duncan, R., Foust, D., White, C., Taabodi, M., Hashem, F., Parveen, S., May, E., Bui, A., Craddock, H., Kulkarni, P., Murray, R.T., Sapkota, A.R. 2020. Prevalence of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in non-traditional irrigation waters in the Mid-Atlantic United States is affected by water type, season, and recovery volume. PLoS One. 15(3):e0229365.Herbicides, antibiotics, stimulants, and disinfectants in
agricultural water sources
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Panthi, S., Sapkota, A.R., Raspannti, G., Allard, S., Bui, A., Craddock, H., Murrary, R., Zhu, L., East, C.L., Handy, E.T., Callahan, M., Haymaker, J., Kulkarni, P., Anderson, B., Craighead, S., Gartley, S., Vanore, A., Betancourt, W.Q., Duncan, R., Foust, D., Sharma, M., Micallef, S.A., Gerba, C., Parveen, S., Hashem, F., May, E., Kalmia, K., Pop, M., Ravishankar, S., Sapkota, A. 2019. Herbicides, antibiotics, stimulants, and disinfectants in agricultural water sources. Environmental Research. 174:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.04.011.Factors affecting Salmonella Newport survival in soil and subsequent transfer to spinach plants

- (Abstract Only)Presence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in reclaimed and surface irrigation water sources on Maryland's eastern shore: a Conserve study

- (Abstract Only)Evaluation of zero-valent iron filtration to reduce Escherichia coli in agricultural irrigation water in laboratory and field trials

- (Abstract Only)Salmonella Newport in soils amended with heat-treated poultry pellets survived longer and more readily transferred to and persisted on spinach
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Shah, M.K., Bradshaw, R., Nyarko, E., Handy, E.T., East, C.L., Millner, P.D., Bergholz, T.M., Sharma, M. 2019. Salmonella Newport in soils amended with heat-treated poultry pellets survived longer and more readily transferred to and persisted on spinach. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 85:e02392-18. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02392-18.Prevalence of shiga-toxigenic and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in untreated surface water and reclaimed water in the Mid-Atlantic U.S
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Haymaker, J., Sharma, M., Parveen, S., Hashem, F., May, E.B., Handy, E.T., White, C., East, C.L., Bradshaw, R., Micallef, S., Callahan, M., Allard, S., Anderson, B., Craighead, S., Gartley, S., Vanore, A., Kniel, K.E., Solaiman, S., Bui, A., Murray, R.T., Craddock, H.A., Kulkarni, P., Foust, D., Duncan, R., Taabodi, M., Sapkota, A.R. 2019. Prevalence of shiga-toxigenic and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in untreated surface water and reclaimed water in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. Environmental Research. 172:630-636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.02.019.Survival of Escherichia coli in manure-amended soils is affected by spatiotemporal, agricultural, and weather factors in the Mid-Atlantic United States
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Sharma, M., Millner, P.D., Hashem, F., Vinyard, B.T., East, C.L., Handy, E.T., White, K.E., Stonebraker, R., Cotton, C.P. 2019. Survival of Escherichia coli in manure-amended soils is affected by spatiotemporal, agricultural, and weather factors in the Mid-Atlantic United States. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 85:e02392-18. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02392-18.Listeria monocytogenes persistence and transfer to cantaloupes in the packing environment is affected by equipment surface type and cleanliness

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Nyarko, E., Kniel, K.E., Zhou, B., Millner, P.D., Luo, Y., Handy, E.T., East, C.L., Sharma, M. 2018. Listeria monocytogenes persistence and transfer to cantaloupes in the packing environment is affected by equipment surface type and cleanliness. Food Control. 85:177-185.Prevalence of E. coli, Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes in non-traditional irrigation waters in the Mid-Atlantic U.S.: a conserve project

- (Abstract Only)Practices and conditions which promote persistence of Listeria monocytogenes on equipment surfaces and transfer to cantaloupes in the packing environment

- (Abstract Only)Generic E. coli levels in surface and nontraditional irrigation water in the mid Atlantic in relation to FSMA water quality standards: A CONSERVE study

- (Abstract Only)A multi-site, multi-year examination of factors affecting the persistence of attenuated O157- and non-pathogenic Escherichia coli in manure-amended soils in the mid-Atlantic United States

- (Abstract Only)Survival of Salmonella Newport on whole and fresh-cut cucumbers treated with lytic bacteriophages

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Sharma, M., Dashiell, G., Handy, E.T., East, C.L., Reynnells, R., White, C., Nyarko, E., Hashem, F., Millner, P.D. 2017. Survival of Salmonella Newport on whole and fresh-cut cucumbers treated with lytic bacteriophages. Journal of Food Protection. 80:668-673.Survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut ‘Athena’ and ‘Rocky Ford’ cantaloupes during storage at 4 and 10°C

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Nyarko, E., Kniel, K., Reynnells, R., East, C.L., Handy, E.T., Luo, Y., Millner, P.D., Sharma, M. 2016. Survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut ‘Athena’ and ‘Rocky Ford’ cantaloupes during storage at 4 and 10°C. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. 13:587-591.Survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes on whole cantaloupes is dependent on site of contamination and storage temperature
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Nayarko, E., Kniel, K., Millner, P.D., Luo, Y., Handy, E.T., Reynnells, R., East, C.L., Sharma, M. 2016. Survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes on whole cantaloupes is dependent on site of contamination and storage temperature. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 234:65-70.Reduction of Salmonella populations on cucumber fruit by application of lytic bacteriophages

- (Abstract Only)Evaluation of two immunomagnetic separation techniques for the detection and recovery of E. coli O157:H7 from finished composts
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Reynnells, R., Callahan, M.L., Handy, E.T., Roberts, C.L., Felton, G., Ingram, D., Millner, P.D., Sharma, M. 2014. Evaluation of two immunomagnetic separation techniques for the detection and recovery of E. coli O157:H7 from finished composts. Journal of Food Analytical Methods. doi: 10.1007/s12161-014-0068-4.Comparison of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Composting Council... Escherichia coli O157:H7 in finished compost

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Reynnells, R., Ingram, D., Roberts, C.L., Stonebraker, R.E., Handy, E.T., Felton, G., Vinyard, B.T., Millner, P.D., Sharma, M. 2014. Comparison of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Composting Council Microbial Detection Methods in Finished Compost and Regrowth Potential of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in finished compost. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. 11:555-567.Comparative survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Murine Norovirus on spinach plants

- (Abstract Only)Comparison of microbial methods to detect fecal coliforms, E. coli and Salmonella spp. in finished compost

- (Abstract Only)Recovery of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by immunomagnetic separation techniques and potential for regrowth in finished composts

- (Abstract Only)The use of lytic bacteriophages to reduce E. coli O157:H7 on fresh cut lettuce introduced through cross-contamination

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Ferguson, S.E., Handy, E.T., Roberts, C.L., Sharma, M. 2013. The use of lytic bacteriophages to reduce E. coli O157:H7 on fresh cut lettuce introduced through cross-contamination. Bacteriophage. DOI: 10.4161/bact.24323.Influence of poultry litter and dairy manure on persistence of non-pathogenic E. coli and E. coli O157:H7 applied to fields

- (Abstract Only)Jones, K., Hashem, F., Cotton, C., Roberts, C.L., Sharma, M., Millner, P.D. 2012. Influence of poultry litter and dairy manure on persistence of non-pathogenic E. coli and E. coli O157:H7 applied to fields. International Association for Food Protection. [abstract].The use of zero-valent iron filtration to reduce Escherichia coli and Listeria innocua in irrigation water

- (Abstract Only)Banerjee, R., Singh, A., Callahan, M.L., Roberts, C.L., Ingram, D.T., Patel, J.R., Hoover, D., Kniel, K., Sharma, M. 2012. The use of zero-valent iron filtration to reduce Escherichia coli and Listeria innocua in irrigation water. [abstract] International Association for Food Protection. P3-32. p.182.Effectiveness of lytic bacteriophages in reducing E. coli O157:H7 populations introduced through cross-contamination on fresh cut lettuce

- (Abstract Only)Ferguson, S.E., Roberts, C.L., Sharma, M. 2012. Effectiveness of lytic bacteriophages in reducing E. coli O157:H7 populations introduced through cross-contamination on fresh cut lettuce. Annual Meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists.Effectiveness of lytic bacteriophages in reducing E. coli O157:H7 populations introduced through cross-contamination on fresh cut lettuce

- (Abstract Only)Effectiveness of lytic bacteriophages in reducing E. coli O157:H7 populations introduced through cross-contamination on fresh cut lettuce

- (Abstract Only)Ferguson, S.E., Roberts, C.L., Sharma, M. 2012. Effectiveness of lytic bacteriophages in reducing E. coli O157:H7 populations introduced through cross-contamination on fresh cut lettuce. [abstract].Persistence of somatic and F-specific coliphages, potential indicators of fecal contamination, on spinach foliar tissue

- (Abstract Only)Lilly, A., Sapkota, A., Roberts, C.L., Ferguson, S.E., Shelton, D.R., Ingram, D.T., Sharma, M. 2011. Persistence of somatic and F-specific coliphages, potential indicators of fecal contamination, on spinach foliar tissue. [abstract]. BARC Poster Day. .Persistence of somatic and F-specific coliphages, potential indicators of fecal contamination, on spinach foliar tissue

- (Abstract Only)Lilly, A., Sapkota, A., Roberts, C.L., Ferguson, S.E., Shelton, D.R., Ingram, D.T., Sharma, M. 2011. Persistence of somatic and F-specific coliphages, potential indicators of fecal contamination, on spinach foliar tissue. International Association for Food Protection Proceedings. [abstract].Epiphytic survival of Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli O145 on baby spinach plants

- (Abstract Only)Ingram, D.T., Roberts, C.L., Ferguson, S.E., Lakshman, S., Sharma, M. 2011. Epiphytic survival of Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli O145 on baby spinach plants. [abstract]  International Association for Food Protection Proceedings. P2-78.The use of zero-valent iron and biosand filtration to inactivate Escherichia coli O157:H7 in irrigation water

- (Abstract Only)The effect of repeated irrigation with varying total organic carbon content on the persistence of E. coli O157:H7 on baby spinach

- (Abstract Only)Ingram, D.T., Mudd, C.L., Ferguson, S.E., Sharma, M. 2010. The effect of repeated irrigation with varying total organic carbon content on the persistence of E. coli O157:H7 on baby spinach. BARC Poster Day  Abstract Book. p. 21.The effect of total organic carbon content and repeated irrigation on the persistence of E. coli O157:H7 on baby spinach

- (Abstract Only)Ingram, D.T., Mudd, C.L., Ferguson, S.E., Hoover, D., Kniel, K.E., Sharma, M. 2010. The effect of total organic carbon content and repeated irrigation on the persistence of E. coli O157:H7 on baby spinach. [abstract]. IAFP Abstracat Book p. 41.Antibiotic resistance patterns in E. coli and Salmonella isolates recovered from commercially available compost

- (Abstract Only)Ferguson, S.E., Mudd, C.L., Ingram, D.T., Millner, P.D., Sharma, M. 2010. Antibiotic resistance patterns in E. coli and Salmonella isolates recovered from commercially available compost.  [abstract]. International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting. p. 91.Antibiotic resistance patterns in E. coli and Salmonella isolates recovered from commercially available compost

- (Abstract Only)Ferguson, S.E., Mudd, C.L., Ingram, D.T., Millner, P.D., Sharma, M. 2010. Antibiotic resistance patterns in E. coli and Salmonella isolates recovered from commercially available compost. BARC Poster Day. p.12.Antibiotic resistance patterns in E. coli and Salmonella isolates recovered from commercially vailable compost

- (Abstract Only)Ferguson, S.E., Mudd, C.L., Ingram, D.T., Millner, P.D., Sharma, M. 2010. Antibiotic resistance patterns in E. coli and Salmonella isolates recovered from commercially vailable compost. [abstract].  International Association for Food Protection Proceedings. p.91.Comparison of expression of E. coli O157:H7 virulence factors in ground beef and on fresh-cut lettuce

- (Abstract Only)Sharma, M., Patel, J.R., Nou, X., Ferguson, S.E., Mudd, C.L., Donnenberg, M. 2009. Comparison of expression of E. coli O157:H7 virulence factors in ground beef and on fresh-cut lettuce [abstract]. International Association for Food Protection Program Book. p. 87.Survival of enterohemorrhagic and avian pathogenic Escherichia coli from spinach plants after overhead irrigation with (currently acceptable) contamination levels

- (Abstract Only)Ingram, D.T., Mudd, C.L., Ferguson, S.E., Sharma, M., Kniel, K. 2009. Survival of enterohemorrhagic and avian pathogenic Escherichia coli from spinach plants after overhead irrigation with (currently acceptable) contamination levels [abstract]. International Association for Food Protection 2009 Abstract Book. Paper No. P3-09. p. 151.Effective household disinfection methods of kitchen sponges

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Sharma, M., Mudd, C.L., Eastridge, J.S. 2008. Effective household disinfection methods of kitchen sponges. Food Control. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2008.05.020Effective disinfection methods of kitchen sponges

- (Abstract Only)Sharma, M., Eastridge, J.S., Mudd, C.L. 2007. Effective disinfection methods of kitchen sponges [abstract]. Institute of Food Technologists. Control No. 3310.THE ROLE OF RPOS IN ALKALI TOLERANCE OF ENTEROHEMORRHAGIC E. COLI

- (Abstract Only)Sharma, M., Bhagwat, A.A., Patel, J.R., Mudd, C.L. 2006. The role of RPOS in alkali tolerance of enterohemorrhagic E. coli [abstract]. BARC Poster Day. Paper No. 34.EFFECTIVENESS OF BACTERIOPHAGE IN REDUCING ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 ON BEEF STEAKS AND IN GROUND BEEF SLURRIES

- (Abstract Only)Sharma, M., Patel, J.R., Sulakvelidze, A., Mudd, C.L. 2006. Effectiveness of bacteriophage in reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 on beef steaks and in ground beef slurries [abstract]. International Association for Food Protection Proceedings. p.130THE ROLE OF RPOS IN ALKALI TOLERANCE OF ENTEROHEMORRHAGIC E. COLI

- (Abstract Only)Sharma, M., Bhagwat, A.A., Patel, J.R., Mudd, C.L. 2006. The role of RPOS in alkali tolerance of enterohemorrhagic E. coli [abstract]. Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting Book of Abstracts. Paper No. 003A-22. June 24-28, 2006, Orlando, Florida.


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