Dr. Valerisa Joe-Gaddy is originally from Gallup, NM and is of the Diné (Navajo) people. Dr. Joe-Gaddy is an Alumna of the University of Arizona receiving both her PhD and MS in Environmental Science with an emphasis in microbiology. Prior to UArizona, she received her BS in Microbiology from New Mexico State University. Dr. Joe-Gaddy’s research and extension interests include developing and validating methods to assess microbial water quality and communicating modern water quality and produce safety methods to growers. In addition, she is passionate about environmental science literacy and serving the Diné people through outreach and engagement. She founded the 2017-2018 UArizona’s Indigenous Fresh Produce Trainings which focused on teaching American Indian farmers about food and water quality safety relating to the Food Safety Modernization Act.
