06/21/2010

Auburn's Food Science Program Joins College of Ag

AUBURN, Ala.—In a strategic move to strengthen its efforts in the discipline of food science and technology, Auburn University has administratively moved its food science program from the College of Human Sciences back into the College of Agriculture, its original academic home.

Within the College of Agriculture, the food science program will become a formal part of the Department of Poultry Science, effective August 2010. Three current food science faculty members—Leonard Bell, Tung-Shi Huang, and Jean Weese—will become part of the department, and the food science teaching program will become an option within the poultry science curriculum.

“Given that the Alabama poultry industry represents a modern global food industry, moving the food science program back to the College of Agriculture will allow our department and college to better serve the poultry industry’s needs,” Don Conner, head of the poultry science department, said.

“Strengthening our efforts in food science will enhance Auburn’s existing programs in live poultry production and will uniquely position the poultry science department to more effectively address critical issues from the farm to the fork.”

Auburn University is developing a comprehensive Food Safety Initiative to address critical food safety issues facing the state and nation, and the Department of Poultry Science will play a key role in this university-wide initiative. A strong food science program will provide needed support for research and extension programs in food safety.

For more information on the food science shift, contact Conner at 334-844-2639 or connede@auburn.edu.

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Contact: Katie Jackson, 334-844-5887 (smithcl@auburn.edu)

OFFICE OF AG COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 COMER HALL, AUBURN UNIVERSITY
AUBURN, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)
AgComm@auburn.edu