A Texas Tech Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources' professor was designated a Horn Professor, the highest distinction a faculty member can receive from the university, by the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents during its latest meeting (Feb. 24). Mindy Brashears, a nationally recognized leader in food science, received the honor.

Established in 1966, the Horn professorship is named after the first president of Texas Tech, Paul Whitfield Horn. The honor is bestowed upon a faculty member who has attained national and/or international recognition in the areas of research or other creative, scholarly achievement. 

The nomination process is comprised of several steps, including critical scrutiny by an evaluation committee, letters of support by prominent experts in the same field as the nominee, dossiers that demonstrate immense publication and scholarly service, and final ratification by the Board of Regents. 

Brashears is the former Under Secretary of Agriculture in Food Safety, where she served the USDA as a political appointee from 2019-2021. She is currently the Associate Vice President of Research at Texas Tech and a Professor of Food Safety and Public Health, holding the Roth and Letch family Endowed Chair of Food Safety. She also serves as the Director of the International Center for Food Industry Excellence at Texas Tech.  

In addition, she is a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and has three spinoff companies based on her work. Her bachelor's degree in food technology from Texas Tech. Her master's degree and doctorate in food science are from Oklahoma State University.  

Brashears is known for having a passion for food security and has led international research teams to numerous places across Latin America and the Caribbean to improve food safety and security in those sectors and to set up sustainable agriculture systems in developing areas. 

Her research broadly focuses on mitigation strategies in pre-and post-harvest environments and on the emergence of antimicrobial drug resistance in agricultural ecosystems. Her interests are primarily in meat, poultry and vegetable products.  

She has taught courses in food microbiology and food safety and has offered industry training in food safety and security. She has received multiple awards, including the IAFP Laboratorian Award, The AMSA Research and Industry/Extension Award and was named as a Future Icon in the Meat Industry by the National Provisioner magazine.

Other Horn Professors coming from the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources include:

• Eric Hequet (2016) Associate Vice President for Research Office of Research and Innovation
• Thomas Knight (2012) Emabeth Thompson Professor of Risk Management,  Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics
• Warren Ballard (2008) Bricker Chair in Wildlife Management; Department of Natural Resources Management
• Michael Galyean (2006) Professor, Department of Veterinary Sciences, and former Texas Tech Provost
• Vivien Allen (2005) Thornton Distinguished Professor of Forages; Department of Plant & Soil Science
• Henry Nguyen (1997) Professor of Plant Genetics; Department of Plant & Soil Science
• Rodney Preston (1994) Thornton Endowed Chair; Department of Animal & Food sciences
• Eric Bolen (1981) Professor of Waterfowl Ecology & Management; Department of Natural Resources Management
• Henry Wright (1978) Professor of Fire Ecology; Department of Natural Resources Management
• Harold Dregne (1972) Professor of Agronomy; Department of Plant & Soil Science
• Willard Williams (1968) Professor, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics
• Elo Urbanovsky (1967) Professor of Horticulture & Park Management; Department of Landscape Architecture

CONTACT: Cindy Akers, Interim Chair, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or cindy.akers@ttu.edu

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