QMRA Workshop
Quantitative Microbiological Risk Assessment (QMRA) – Executive Intensive Workshop
Quantitative Microbiological Risk Assessment (QMRA) underpins modern food safety standards, regulatory decisions, and evidence-based risk management. Yet many professionals lack the practical skills needed to build, interpret, and communicate full QMRA models. This 5-day, in-person, intensive executive workshop, delivered by IFoRAC, is designed to develop operational QMRA capability. Participants work hands-on in R, building complete end-to-end QMRA models from problem formulation and predictive microbiology to exposure assessment, dose–response modeling, and Monte Carlo simulation. The training is highly practical and non-black-box, using real datasets, daily modelling challenges, and guided exercises to ensure immediate transfer to professional practice. Participants also learn how to analyze sensitivity and scenarios, and how to transparently communicate uncertainty and variability for risk-informed decision-making.
This workshop is a high-return capacity-building investment, equipping institutions with practical QMRA expertise aligned with international best practice
General information
Course Director and Lead Instructor: Moez Sanaa
Date: 8-12 June 2026
Duration: 1 week
Delivery type: in person
Location: NTU - Singapore
Cost: USD 1,250
Course content
The course provides a comprehensive, end-to-end coverage of Quantitative Microbiological Risk Assessment (QMRA), progressing from core concepts to fully integrated risk models:
· QMRA foundations and problem formulation: structuring risk questions and conceptual models
· Predictive microbiology: microbial growth, survival, cross-contamination, mixing/partitioning
· Prevalence and concentration modelling: handling data, variability and uncertainty
· Exposure assessment: integrating contamination and food consumption data
· Dose–response modelling: linking exposure to health outcomes
· Stochastic modelling and simulation: Monte Carlo methods implemented in R
· End-to-end QMRA construction: building complete, transparent models step by step
· Sensitivity, importance and scenario analysis: identifying key risk drivers and management levers
· Uncertainty and variability communication: translating model outputs into risk-informed decisions
The content is delivered through hands-on modeling exercises, real datasets and daily challenges, ensuring that participants leave with practical, immediately deployable QMRA skills.
Target participants
This course is designed for intermediate to advanced professionals who are directly involved in, or support, food safety risk analysis and decision-making, including:
· Food safety regulators and risk assessors working in national or regional authorities
· Public health scientists and researchers involved in microbiological risk assessment
· Experts contributing to QMRA, exposure assessment, or scientific advisory processes
· Technical staff supporting risk management, standard setting, and policy development
· Professionals from academia, research institutes, or international organizations
The course is particularly suited for participants who already have a basic understanding of food safety or risk assessment and seek to strengthen their operational QMRA skills, moving beyond conceptual knowledge to hands-on, model-based application.
Prerequisites
Participants should have a background in food safety or public health, a basic understanding of risk assessment and statistics, and some familiarity with R or statistical software. The course is intended for professionals ready to engage in hands-on quantitative modelling.
Participants who require a refresher in statistics and R may attend optional online preparatory sessions (5 sessions of 2 hours each), including individual one-on-one follow-up.
Fee: USD 250 per participant.
Certificates
Participants will receive a certificate of participation upon completion of the course.
Those seeking academic or university equivalence may opt to sit a formal assessment to certify their learning outcomes; a minimum score of 80% is required for certification.
Meet Faculty and Guest Experts
William Chen
Global thought leader in food innovation and future-ready food safety systems at Nanyang Technological University. More...
Laurent Guillier
Leading scientist advancing quantitative microbial risk assessment through genomics and predictive modelling. More...
Greg Paoli
International authority in quantitative risk science and architect of advanced probabilistic tools for regulatory decision-making. More...
Moez Sanaa: Course Director and Lead Instructor
International expert in food safety risk analysis shaping global standards and scientific advice for food policy. More...