Sabah Bidawid

Research interests

My research has focused on developing rapid and sensitive molecular techniques to detect viruses in foods, conducting studies on virus survival and inactivation in foods, as well as investigating virus transfer from the fingerpads of human volunteers to foods and surfaces, and the interruption of this transfer by various means. Current research aims at developing DNA microarray chip and microfluidics technologies for the detection of Norovirus, as well as other microbial pathogens in foods. Since 2003, I have assumed the position as the Chief of the Microbiology Research Division in Health Canada, overseeing research by a number of scientists in various fields of foodborne bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases. The different research programs in this Division focus on developing molecular technologies for the rapid detection of microbial pathogens in foods, as well as projects to generate needed data in support of risk assessment and for the development of guidelines, policies and regulations. I am co-founder and past President of the Food and Environmental Virology Network established in Canada in 2003, and past Chairman of the Viral and Parasitic Foodborne Disease Professional Development Group of the International Association for Food Protection.