LSU Food Safety PhD Student Selected for Prestigious QMRA IV Program

Pratiksha Shrestha, a PhD student in the LSU School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, was selected as one of the recipients of a competitive travel scholarship to attend the Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment Interdisciplinary Vehicle (QMRA IV) program — widely recognized as the premier international training initiative for advancing risk-based approaches to food safety and public health.
The program combines a rigorous online course (June 10–July 29) with an intensive in-person workshop held at Michigan State University (August 10–15). Led by world-renowned mentors and pioneers in microbial risk assessment, QMRA IV offers participants a rare opportunity to learn directly from experts shaping the future of the field.
Pratiksha’s selection reflects her strong commitment to advancing expertise in microbial risk assessment and highlights LSU’s growing reputation for excellence in food safety research. Her work in Dr. Kharel’s Food Safety and Microbiology Lab focuses on innovative approaches to improving food safety and protecting public health.