COLLEGE STATION — Leslie Frenzel is the recipient of the 2011 Zerle L. Carpenter Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Meat Science.

Frenzel, from New Berlin, is seeking a doctoral degree in meat science and food safety working under the direction of Drs. Jeff Savell and Kerri Harris. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in animal science from Tarleton State University, where she coached the 2009 National Champion Meat Judging team and managed the meat laboratory.

While at Texas A&M, Frenzel has been involved in Beef 101 and 705 programs, HACCP short courses and teaching ANSC 307 laboratories. Her true passion is teaching and she enjoys connecting with the students, industry personnel and consumer groups.

Her current research involves a validation study focusing on various intervention systems on the harvest floor. She has had the opportunity to help other graduate research projects such as the National Beef Quality Audit and Nutrient Database Improvement Study.

This award is presented annually to a graduate student in the Department of Animal Science meat science section. The meat science section faculty select a graduate student who demonstrates outstanding leadership skills and has contributed significantly to the section’s teaching, research, and extension activities.

This award is named in honor of Dr. Zerle L. Carpenter, who began his career at Texas A&M University as an assistant professor of animal science in 1962. Dr. Carpenter rose to become full professor of animal science in 1971, head of the Department of Animal Science in 1978, and director of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service in 1982. In 1988, he was named associate vice chancellor for agriculture for the Texas A&M University System. Dr. Carpenter retired in 1997 after providing leadership to the Extension Service for 15 years.

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