Dr. Appell’s current research is in food safety. Food safety is important for supporting public health and reducing foodborne illness. Occasionally, agricultural commodities can be contaminated with fungi capable of producing toxins, known as mycotoxins. The objective of our research is to find new ways to detect and reduce exposure to mycotoxins in food and beverages. The research addresses the limitations of existing methods to detect toxins in popular commodities, such as corn, coffee, and fruit juices. The technology developed uses a combination of analytical chemistry, predictive modeling, and materials science.