A nationally-recognized meat science researcher and administrator joined Texas Tech University's College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Dean's Office this week, bringing with her a wealth of new academic and research talent. Christy Bratcher will serves as CASNR's new Associate Dean of Research.

"Dr. Bratcher brings with her to Texas Tech a very strong record of research success not only in her own program, but also through collaborations with others in varying disciplines and colleges," said CASNR Dean William Brown. "She is ideally suited to facilitate and assist CASNR faculty in growing and advancing our research agenda in service of our clientele."

With an annual budget of $8.6 million, CASNR's research programs are widely recognized for excellence in the discovery and delivery of knowledge on current and emerging aspects of the food, fiber, fuel, natural resources, environmental sciences, management and planning disciplines. In keeping with research that addresses regional issues with national and global impact, CASNR promotes and supports multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and inter-institutional research programs.

"I am excited to finally be on campus and begin assisting faculty in achieving their individual and collaborative research goals," said Bratcher from her new office in the Goddard Building. "Growing CASNR's research portfolio through effective and efficient grantsmanship is my top priority, and I'm anxious to meet with individual faculty to learn about their expertise and how my position can better assist them in their research endeavors."

Prior to joining the Texas Tech faculty, Bratcher had served as director of Auburn's Food Systems Institute and a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences. Her office facilitated development of interdisciplinary teams aimed at developing proposals and securing funding for some 80 faculty members associated with the institute. Her personal research interests have included food safety of processed meats, pre- and post-harvest meat animal food safety and consumer acceptance of niche-market meat products.

Bratcher earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Florida and her doctorate from the University of Missouri. She is a member of the American Meat Science Association, American Society of Animal Science and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Her recent research has centered on a five-year, $4.8 million Agriculture & Food Research Initiative project through the USDA aimed at a systems approach to improving production and distribution of local and regional foods for a more secure food system, and a project that investigates transportation stress of cattle on shedding of pathogens. She has been widely published and referenced in academic journals.

Recent honors for Bratcher include the Gerald & Emily Leischuck Endowed Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching at Auburn University (2017); USDA Partnership Award for Innovative Programs and Projects (2016); and Outstanding Young Animal Scientist Award for Education from the American Society of Animal Science Southern Region (2015).

CONTACT: William Brown, dean, College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University, (806) 742-2808 or william.f.brown@ttu.edu

0618NM19