Contact: Courtney Coufal, 979-249-6301, cacoufal@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION — Dr. Gary Smith, a world-renowned expert in meat science and food safety, rejoined the Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science on April 1, 2014 as visiting professor located in College Station. Smith previously worked at Texas A&M as professor from 1969-1982 and head of the Department of Animal Science from 1982-1990.

In addition, effective July 1, 2014, Smith also serves as a visiting professor in animal science and advisor to the president at Colorado State University, where he previously served as a university distinguished professor emeritus and occupied the Monfort Endowed Chair in Meat Science from 1990 until his retirement in 2010.

Smith lives in College Station and works part-time at Texas A&M University.

“Dr. Smith is an accomplished researcher, a gifted teacher and legendary mentor to students, professors and technical specialists throughout the meat industry,” said Dr. Russell Cross, head of the Texas A&M Department of Animal Science. “We are truly fortunate to have Dr. Smith return to our department, where he will be able to share his vast knowledge and expertise with our meat science faculty and students.”

In his new role at Texas A&M, Smith will assume responsibility for efforts to expand the master of agriculture in animal science for students with an emphasis on meat science, which will include responsibility for a section of ANSC 694, Internship. He also will contribute to the mentoring of faculty, serving as an active member of the graduate faculty and being involved in the training and mentoring of graduate students.

Known as the ‘dean’ of meat scientists, according to Cross, Smith is nationally and internationally recognized for his efforts in meat science and food safety. His research interests include carcass evaluation and grading; composition, quality and palatability of red meat; red meat safety; and packaging and retailing of red meat. He has traveled the world extensively in support of animal agriculture in the U.S and has received numerous awards including induction into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame in 2009.

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For more information regarding news from the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, please contact Maggie Tucker at maggie.tucker@ag.tamu.edu or (979) 845-1542.