-
Michael Chao
- Associate Professor: Meat Science
- Office:
- Kleberg 310B
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 979-314-8542
Education
- Undergraduate Education
- B.S., Animal Science - University of California, Davis
- Graduate Education
- M.S., Animal Biology - University of California, Davis
- Ph.D., Meat Science - University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Professional Summary
Dr. Michael Chao is a meat scientist who enjoys exploring how biochemistry can be used to improve the quality and safety of meat. Dr. Chao began his academic journey in 2015 as an Assistant Professor at California State University, Chico (CSUC), transitioned to Kansas State University (KSU) in 2018 and is currently an Associate Professor of Meat Science in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University (TAMU).
A desire to be a veterinarian led him to UC Davis to major in animal science. The introduction to animal science class in his freshman year opened his eyes to the opportunities in livestock production. He earned both his bachelor’s (2007) and master’s (2011) degrees from UC Davis and then his PhD in animal science with a specialization in meat science and muscle biology from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2015.
Dr. Chao is also passionate about the science and politics behind international red meat trading. He has worked for the US Meat Export Federation, both as an intern based in the organization’s Denver headquarters and Taiwan office, and on a contract basis to lead Taiwanese auditing teams through beef, pork and lamb processing plants in the United States. In his role, he will co-teach ANSC 113 Farm Animal Biosystems and is in process of developing a faculty-led study abroad trip with the focus on red meat trading and utilization in Taiwan.
Dr. Chao and his wife, Ying, avid Star Wars fan, have two sons – Luke and Hans.
As an avid fisherman, Dr. Chao is looking forward to the vast deep sea fishing opportunities in Texas.