Legako takes new post with Department of Animal & Food Sciences
Jerrad Legako has been named an assistant professor of food science with Texas Tech's Department of Animal and Food Sciences, according to officials within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. He officially stepped into his new post on Oct. 1.
Legako indicated that he is interested in continuing his research efforts in meat quality. Specifically, he will continue his current research which is exploring the impact of factors such as cooking, processing, and packaging techniques on beef flavor chemistry. He also plans to continue more recent work which aims to quantify and mitigate potentially carcinogenic compounds found in cooked foods. Legako also has interest in developing further understanding of how animal stress may impact animal oxidative stress and ultimately meat quality and shelf-life.
One of his primary goals here at Tech is to work with current faculty to enhance the food science program. He hopes to provide new leadership for food science teaching and to develop high quality curriculum for students. Legako said that food science graduates are in high demand and that the available jobs have relatively high starting salaries. He believes that this in combination with a renewed emphasis for food science teaching will grow the program.
Prior to joining the Tech faculty, Legako worked three years as an assistant professor in Utah State University's Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences in Logan, Utah; and has served as an affiliate faculty member in Colorado State University's Department of Animal Sciences since 2015. Prior to Utah State, he worked as a senior research associate and post-doctoral research associate in Texas Tech's Department of Animal and Food Sciences.
Recent awards for Legako include Utah State's Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year in the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences (2016); Texas Tech Teaching Effectiveness and Career enhancement Program Fellow (2010-2011); and Outstanding Meat Science Graduate Student in Texas Tech's Department of Animal and Food Sciences (2011).
Legako, who has been awarded more than $1.3 million in research funding, received his bachelor's degree in biology from Texas Tech and master's degree in food science from Oklahoma State University. His doctorate degree in animal science is from Texas Tech. He is a member of the American Chemical Society, American Society of Animal Science, and the American Meat Science Association.
Written by Norman Martin
CONTACT: Michael Orth, chairman, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-5653 or michael.orth@ttu.edu
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