Ernest Julian, Ph.D.

Expert Witness and Consultant: Foodborne Illness Investigations, Control, and Prevention May 1990 - Present I serve as an expert witness in food safety and foodborne illness litigation, with a career focused on the investigation, causation, and prevention of foodborne disease outbreaks. My work includes: • Determining causation and root cause of foodborne illness outbreaks • Evaluating regulatory compliance and standard of care • Assessing failures in food safety systems, sanitation, temperature control, and management practices • Providing expert opinions, reports, depositions, and trial testimony I have investigated outbreaks and illnesses involving Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Vibrio, and allergens, and I have extensive experience with the FDA Food Code, FSMA, USDA/FSIS, and CDC foodborne illness investigation frameworks. As a consultant, provide rapid outbreak response guidance to minimize public health impact, regulatory exposure, and economic loss. Provide guidance to stop ongoing illness and prevent recurrence, advise on corrective actions, preventive controls, and training. I have taught foodborne outbreak investigation and control courses to food safety professionals throughout the United States and in Dubai. Rhode Island Department of Health 32 years Assistant Director of Health Aug 2019 - May 2021 Rhode Island, United States Oversaw statewide food safety regulatory programs, including: • Foodborne outbreak and complaint investigations • Inspections, enforcement, plan review, and training • Regulation of food processing, dairy, shellfish, and recreational facilities Served as Principal Investigator (PI) for the CDC Environmental Health Food Specialist Grant, leading investigations to determine underlying causes of foodborne illness outbreaks and evidence-based prevention strategies. Served as PI for FDA Rapid Response Team, manufactured food, and retail food grants. Oversaw Environmental Protection Agency grants to assure microbial beach water safety. From March through June 2020, oversaw COVID surveillance and control for all businesses in Rhode Island. Served as Chair, Institutional Review Board; Chief Science Advisor to the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Academic Center; and Co-Director, RIDOH Public Health Academic Institute. Worked with Brown and other universities in obtaining scholars to assist in Department of Health research and program implementation. Chief, Division of Food Protection, Rhode Island Department of Health 1989 - Aug 2019 Directed Rhode Island’s food safety regulatory system covering over 7,000 food processing, retail, dairy, shellfish, and institutional food establishments. Responsibilities included: • Oversight of inspections, enforcement, licensing, and plan review • Management of foodborne outbreak and complaint investigations • Supervision of 40 staff members • Development and implementation of food safety training and certification programs Served as Principal Investigator for multiple federal grants, including: • CDC Environmental Health Food Specialist Grant • FDA Innovative Food Safety Grants • CDC Emergency Preparedness Grants • EPA grants for microbial beach water safety Led development of a national model Food Safe Schools program and participated in Rapid Response Team and Manufactured Foods Regulatory Program Standards initiatives. Subject Matter Expert and Lead Adjunct Instructor Louisiana State University (LSU) National Center for Biomedical Research and Training 2009 - Jan 2020 Throughout the U.S. Served as subject matter expert and Adjunct Lead Instructor for the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training, Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education at Louisiana State University (LSU) in development and instruction of the Homeland Security “A Coordinated Response to Food Emergencies” Course. Taught foodborne outbreak investigation throughout the U.S. Served as Lead Instructor for "Managing Food Emergencies: Strategies for a Community Response." Sr. Environmental Health Food Specialist Connecticut Department of Health 1976 - 1989 From 1980 until 1989, was trained and standardized by FDA in use of the nation Model Food Code. Trained, certified, and recertified over 300 local and state inspectors in use of the Food Code in conducting food establishment inspections.

My approach to expert witness work is evidence-based and methodical, focusing on objective evaluation of facts. I review records, policies, training materials, and physical evidence to assess causation, regulatory compliance, and standard of care, and to identify contributing factors such as communication failures, procedural gaps, or breakdowns in food safety controls. My opinions are grounded in public health principles, regulatory frameworks, and accepted industry practices, and are presented clearly for use in reports, depositions, and trial testimony.

I have been an expert witness in 28 cases involving foodborne illnesses and deaths due to E. coli, Listeria, Vibrio vulnificus, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Hepatitis A, botulism, food allergens, chemical, and other contaminants. The majority of cases were resolved based upon my expert report.

Ph.D. Adult and Vocational Education, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 3/1992. Dissertation: "Assessing and Developing Manager Competence in Food Safety - The Legislative Process". M.A. Adult and Vocational Education, University of Connecticut, 1988. B.S. Natural Resource Conservation/Biology, University of Connecticut, 1974.

Prior Certifications: Certified Food Safety Professional, FDA certified Food Survey Officer, Registered Sanitarian