Foods have been processed for many reasons, for instance: to make them last longer before spoiling (preservation); to remove, destroy or inhibit pathogens and toxins (food safety); to change flavor, texture, aroma, color or form (variety); and to reduce preparation times and make them more portable (convenience). Whereas food processing can offer many benefits to businesses and consumers, certain aspects of the industry raise dietary, health, economic and environmental concerns. My research topics include the study of chemical contaminants in the food chain, particularly toxic compounds formed during food processing, focusing on monitoring, development and validation of analytical methods, risk assessment and mitigation strategies to reduce human exposure to these substances.