Merle Pierson Merle D. Pierson

Dr. Merle D. Pierson was a distinguished food scientist and professor of food microbiology and safety at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University from 1970 to 2005. He earned his Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Illinois in 1970 and became a leading expert in food safety and foodborne illness, later serving as Deputy Undersecretary of Research, Education and Economics at the USDA.