Dr. John W. Larkin is the Research Director at the Food Protection and Defense Institute (FPDI). Dr. Larkin manages the research program of FPDI, which includes research conducted at FPDI and projects funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the FPDI. Research areas include agent detection, supply chain, information sharing, risk analysis, and economically motivated adulteration.

Dr. Larkin earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Food Science and Nutrition at the Ohio State University in 1978 and 1980, respectively, and a Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Engineering and Food Science and Technology at Michigan State University in 1984. After his Ph.D., he worked as an Assistant Professor in Food Engineering at Virginia Tech for over three years before joining the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While with the FDA, Dr. Larkin was intimately involved in conducting research pertaining to shelf-stable and extended shelf-life foods and played a significant role in the regulatory science of Low Acid Food Processing systems. Dr. Larkin held the FDA positions of Branch Chief and Acting Associate Director of Research in the Food Processing Science and Technology Division. In 2014 Dr. Larkin moved to the University of Minnesota as the Research Director for FPDI. Dr. Larkin is a fellow in the Institute of Food Technologists and a recipient of the Institute of Thermal Processing Specialists Marvin A. Tung achievement award, the Michigan State University Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering Department Distinguished Alumni Award (2007), the Michigan State University College of Engineering BAE Distinguished Alumni Award (2016), and the Food Safety Magazine Distinguished Service Award (2016).