Dr. Sara Bover-Cid is a Researcher and Head of the Food Safety and Functionality Program at the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) in Monells, Spain. She holds a Ph.D. in Food Science and Technology (2000) from the Universitat de Barcelona. Her research activities deal with microbiological risk assessment and modeling the effect of food preservation technologies (e.g., high-pressure processing, biopreservation, hurdle technology) on the behavior of food-borne microorganisms of technological interests, spoilage and pathogenic bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes in particular). She is a member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Food Microbiology.