Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, 2009
  • B.S., Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, 1999
Academic Appointments
  • Pennsylvania State University, Food Microbiology Short Course, Instructor
Professional Honors
  • FDA Group Recognition Award 2018 - Hepatitis A Virus and Tuna Incident Response Group
  • FDA Leveraging Collaboration Award 2016 - Listeria in Sprouts Outbreak Control Group -
  • For superior coordination and speed in ensuring the control of a firm producing sprouts contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
  • FDA Group Recognition Award 2016 - L. monocytogenes and Caramel Apples Incident Response Group - For exemplary performance of duties and collaboration in response to a multi-state outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to caramel apples.
  • FDA CFSAN Honor Achievement Award 2011- Strategic Planning for Filth in Foods Program - For exemplary work in creating both short and long range strategic plans for the filth program.
Professional Affiliations
  • National Environmental Health Association
  • International Association for Food Protection
  • The Entomological Society of America

Dr. Goeriz specializes in the evaluation and management of hazards and health risks in foods, beverages, cosmetics and dietary supplements. She applies her expertise to assist clients in the prevention or response to situations including product contamination, regulatory enforcement, recall decision making or management and illness outbreaks.

In crisis situations, Dr. Goeriz has specialized expertise in the review of all phases of domestic and import regulatory investigations, compliance and enforcement actions, and emergency responses. Dr. Goeriz offers clients advice across the entire span of industry segments, from agricultural production to retail and food service.

Prior to joining Exponent Dr. Goeriz held several positions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), serving in the Office of the Commissioner and the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). At CFSAN, Dr. Goeriz served as an entomologist with specialized expertise in hazards related to filth and foreign objects, including associated regulations, compliance actions, and product reconditioning. She also has laboratory experience identifying bacterial pathogens associated with food borne illness vectored by insects and identifying arthropod associated allergen cross reactivity.

Dr. Goeriz served with FDA's Coordinated Outbreak, Response and Evaluation Network (CORE), having expertise in epidemiological surveillance and response, messaging, traceback investigations, product recall, outbreak prevention, and molecular epidemiology, including Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). 

Prior to joining FDA, Dr. Goeriz worked for 15 years as a field ecologist having experience in agricultural food and fiber crops, the tropical rainforest and the salt marsh. 

She holds a B.S. in evolution and ecology, with a minor in agricultural entomology from University of California, Davis, a Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Maryland, and completed a Post Doctorial Fellowship at FDA supported by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.