The State Hygienic Laboratory is pleased to announce that Steve Mandernach will serve as the laboratory’s ninth Public Health Ambassador. Introduction ceremonies will be held at the lab’s Coralville site on Aug. 8 beginning at 3 p.m.

Steve Mandernach

“Mr. Mandernach has worked with the SHL for several years to detect and confirm sources of food-borne illnesses,” said Christopher Atchison, State Hygienic Laboratory director. “During his Ambassador year, he plans to help us develop new approaches to training to assure Iowans of food safety.”

The Ambassador program is a one-year partnership between the State Hygienic Laboratory and a leader in public health, environmental health, education or other area related to the lab’s mission of protecting and improving quality of life.

Mandernach is the bureau chief for the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) Food Consumer Safety Bureau. The bureau is responsible for regulation of Iowa’s 24,000 food manufacturers, retail food operations and lodging establishments, as well as social and charitable gambling.

The State Hygienic Lab is DIA’s principle laboratory for its Manufactured Regulatory Food Program.

Mandernach succeeds Kelli Ryckman, associate professor of Epidemiology and Pediatrics, who served as the 2016 – 2017 Public Health Ambassador. Ryckman’s research and program development have helped keep Iowa a national leader in newborn and maternal screening.