James M. Jay Diversity in Food Safety Award

The James M. Jay Diversity in Food Safety Award recognizes an active IAFP Member who has demonstrated leadership in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or access within the food safety profession and/or in expanding access to food safety knowledge, education, resources, and opportunities for underserved or historically underrepresented populations and communities. The award consists of an engraved award and $2,000 honorarium.

Qualifications for nominees

Non-student Member in good standing at the time of the nomination and during the IAFP Annual Meeting when receiving the award.
Employed in academia, industry, government, or another food safety-related organization and demonstrate meaningful contributions to the food microbiology and/or food safety profession.
Relevant contributions include work supporting underrepresented professionals; advancing food safety education or capacity-building in low-income, lower-middle-income, or resource-constrained countries or communities; improving access to food safety information, training, or professional development; reducing barriers related to language, geography, cost, technology, or other factors; or developing programs and practices that foster a more inclusive food safety profession.

Previous recipients of the James M. Jay Diversity in Food Safety Award, IAFP Executive Board Members, and IAFP Awards Committee Members are not eligible for this award.

Sponsored by: Neogen
2026 Recipient(s): Daniel Weller

Past Awardees

2025 Lawrence Goodridge
2024 Byron D. Chaves
2023 Salina Parveen
2022 Haley Oliver
2021 Armitra Jackson-Davis