PHF Science's Lucia Rivas has built a career at the intersection of microbiology, genomics and public health. Her work combines scientific depth with practical impact, turning complex evidence into tools and insights that support regulators, industry and communities to reduce foodborne disease.
One of the clearest examples is her leadership on Yersinia research, focused on yersiniosis (one of New Zealand’s most common bacterial gastrointestinal diseases). Lucia, in collaboration with colleagues, has helped lead research that identified important food sources and transmission pathways, giving decision-makers stronger evidence for targeted interventions.
Supported by Health Research Council funding, a case-control study and genomic analysis strengthened the evidence linking fresh pork to pathogenic Yersinia infections, while related microbiological survey findings are informing how New Zealand Food Safety and industry can strengthen surveillance and risk management.
Her leadership also extends to emerging science. Through MBIE’s Strategic Science Investment Fund programme, Lucia has helped grow the role of genomics in food safety and public health, bringing together microbiology, bioinformatics and public health expertise to improve detection, source tracing and understanding of microbial hazards.
Her research breadth includes various foodborne pathogens such as Vibrio, where she is one of a PHF Science team that is exploring links between food safety, environmental change and public health surveillance. Prior Te Niwha funded research that she co-led with PHF Science’s Maria Hepi included a collaboration with a Māori public health provider to understand the barriers that Māori face with stool testing and follow up of gastrointestinal disease and seeking pathways to deliver trusted public health messages and alerts to communities.
Earlier this year, Lucia was invited to Rome to take part in a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA), a highly selective forum that brings together global specialists to help shape food safety guidance. At that meeting, she contributed to discussions on the use of omics-based technologies in microbial risk assessment, an area at the forefront of modern food safety. Her participation reflected both the strength of her scientific expertise and the value of New Zealand’s contribution to international food safety thinking.
These international connections matter. They give New Zealand access to the latest scientific thinking, strengthen alignment with global best practice, and help ensure food safety systems continue to protect public health while supporting confidence in exports.
On World Food Safety Week, Lucia Rivas’ story is a powerful example of how scientific talent, practical expertise and collaboration come together to make food safer. Her work shows that world-class science in Aotearoa New Zealand can improve lives locally while influencing the future of food safety globally.