From a young girl fascinated by the chemistry of everyday life to a leader in international food safety, Christina Vlachou ’s journey embodies the essence of scientific curiosity, perseverance, and global collaboration. As the Head of the Joint FAO/IAEA Food Safety and Control Laboratory in Seibersdorf, Austria , she stands at the forefront of ensuring that food reaching global markets is safe, authentic, and free from contamination.

Her story is part of the IAEA’s initiative to highlight the diverse career paths supporting its mission of “Atoms for Peace and Development” , inspiring young people—especially women—to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and in STEM-adjacent fields that impact everyday life.

Early Inspiration: A Passion for C

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