When former Vienna resident Joseph A. "Joe" Scimeca graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1987 with a Ph.D. in pharmacology and toxicology, there were three routes he could take. He could work in the chemical industry, the pharmaceutical industry, or in food safety. He chose the last route, and hasn't looked back since.

"It seemed more appealing to go into an area where I could have more impact," Scimeca said.

The 1976 Madison High School graduate was recently awarded the Movers & Shakers Award by the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) North America. The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to public safety. Industry academics and government specialists decide each year who should receive the honor.

"What I like about it is that it's sort of a peer recognition," Scimeca said.

Scimeca currently works as the senior manager of product safety service in the quality and regulatory operations office at General Mills, Inc. As senior manager, he examines microbiological food safety, food safety, and the safety of toys that go into products.

Prior to General Mills, Scimeca worked at The Pillsbury Company and Kraft Foods. At Kraft, his first position after receiving his doctorate, Scimeca provided guidance and direction on food safety and regulatory compliance.

"A professional needs to be involved in assessing [food], making sure it is safe," Scimeca said of his role as a toxicologist in the food safety industry.

Scimeca became interested in food safety when he was working in a pathology laboratory in Dulles and living in Vienna. He had graduated with a degree in biology from the University of Virginia, and spent most of his day peering into a microscope. After two years, he decided he didn't want to look into microscopes all day anymore. He asked the company who looks into the animal tissue samples they receive, and his co-workers directed him to a toxicology expert at the Medical College of Virginia.

Scimeca lives in St. Paul, Minn., with his wife Diana and their two children David, 8, and Margaret, 10.