Volunteer Spotlight with Alexandra Tudor: “Jump in and Get Involved”
Inside Laboratory Management’s volunteer spotlight series offers a glimpse of just a few of AOAC’s many exceptional and dedicated members who give their time and expertise to the Association. From authors and special guest editors to working groups, expert review panels, and much more, AOAC is able to provide a suite of analytical solutions that give confidence in results due to the commitment of its volunteers.
In the July/August issue, we celebrate Alex Tudor, who joined AOAC as a member 5 years ago and brings a solid background in analytical testing and validation, specifically in the areas of food safety and pathogen detection. She shares the value of collaborating with a diverse membership and giving back to the scientific community by helping ensure practicality and scientific integrity of methods. One just has to be curious and willing to collaborate.
Expert review panels (ERP) play a key role in AOAC’s method approval processes and contribute to the overall Association strategic plan. Comprising qualified subject matter experts and vetted by the AOAC Official Methods Board (OMB), ERPs are instrumental in selecting the best methods that meet the needs of AOAC analytical communities, ensuring that the Association continues to be a global gold standard for rigorous methodology.
It’s no surprise that Alex Tudor, who is a member of the AOAC ERP for Microbiology Methods for Food and Environmental Surfaces, is helping contribute to food safety testing with her leadership and expertise. With a strong foundation in food analysis, specifically on pathogen detection, she brings nearly a decade of experience in analytical testing and validation.
“Being involved in various AOAC groups allows me to review methods for the microbiology community, foster and shepherd updates to Appendix J [“AOAC INTERNATIONAL Methods Committee Guidelines for Validation of Microbiological Methods for Food and Environmental Surfaces” of the Official Methods of AnalysisSM (OMA) compendium], as well as remain mindful of advances that AOAC as an organization can implement to ensure future success with internal programs and operations,” Tudor says.
Tudor, who holds an M.S. in Food Microbiology from Texas Tech University, is the scientific affairs manager at Bio-Rad Laboratories, a global leader in food safety diagnostics and test kit manufacturing. Since joining Bio-Rad in 2023, she oversees the development and implementation of scientific strategies to support external validation of Bio-Rad’s Food Science Division products. Prior to this, Tudor managed a food microbiology validations laboratory, supervising method development and regulatory compliance from 2015 to 2023.
She joined the Association in 2020 because AOAC provides “greater opportunities to further engage in the scientific community.” From the start, Tudor was eager to “find ways to contribute to AOAC’s mission in developing standards and delivering scientifically sound methods.”
“As an industry stakeholder, I appreciate the ways in which AOAC membership can contribute to the goals of bringing together different experts in the field of food safety to develop and help validate analytical methods to support testing, compliance, and the global food supply,” says Tudor. “It is an honor to be involved in advancing scientifically rigorous standards that protect public health and ensure product integrity worldwide.”
Being a member of AOAC and the various groups she’s involved in complements her job by “contributing to method development and validation, participating in standards setting, and promoting real-world adoption of scientifically sound methods. AOAC membership supports Bio-Rad by facilitating method acceptance, improving AOAC membership supports Bio Rad by facilitating method acceptance, improving scientific credibility, promoting regulatory compliance, and increasing interaction with customers and stakeholders, thereby supporting their contributions to food safety diagnostics.”
Tudor adds that, “The mission of AOAC is closely aligned with Bio-Rad’s goals to advance food safety and analytical excellence.”
As a member of the AOAC ERP for Microbiology Methods for Food and Environmental Surfaces, Tudor evaluates candidate methods against AOAC Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPRs®) to ensure that adopted First Action Official MethodsSM are fit for purpose and meet criteria defined by stakeholders. AOAC ERPs are also responsible for recommending methods for Final Action status to the OMB.
In addition to the ERP, Tudor values participating on the AOAC OMA Presidential Task Force, Microbiology Analytical Community, Cannabis Analytical Science Program, and at AOAC Annual Meetings, all of which provide her “opportunities to shape standards, build scientific influence, meet regulatory expectations, and expand networks.”
For Tudor, opportunities to “collaborate with a diverse network of scientists, regulators, and industry peers who share the common goal of improving reliability and integrity of food safety testing” are aspects she enjoys most about volunteering with AOAC.
“The various ways in which we can connect garner great discussions and relationships,” she says. “It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute my expertise to initiatives that shape global standards and directly impact public health. I also value the chance to stay on the cutting edge of analytical science while building meaningful relationships and learning from others across the industry. Volunteering allows me to give back to the scientific community and help ensure the methods we rely on are both practical and scientifically sound.”
To members considering volunteering, Tudor advises, “Don’t hesitate, just jump into something and get involved. You’ll gain exposure to emerging issues, connect with leading experts across industry and regulatory sectors, and help shape the future of food safety testing. You don’t need to be an expert. As long as you are curious and willing to collaborate, you will be able to quickly see how much you can both contribute and gain.”
Leading by example, Tudor recently jumped in and took on the role of co-chair of the subgroup to revise OMA Appendix J to keep pace with the changing landscape in food analysis. In this capacity, she is integral in helping shape validation of microbiological methods for food and environmental surfaces, specifically qualitative methods.
When she’s not in the lab, Tudor enjoys traveling internationally. While not many can say they’ve encountered a giraffe, she “got to touch one on an African safari last summer.”
AOAC thanks Tudor for her time and dedication. Inspired to get involved? Visit the AOAC website for more information on volunteer opportunities.
