Thomas Dobbins, a doctoral candidate and graduate research assistant within Texas Tech’s Department of Animal & Food Sciences, has been selected to receive the national ‘2025 ASAS Meat Science & Muscle Biology Young Scholar Award’ from the American Society of Animal Science. The Maryland native will be presented with an honorary plaque at a special awards ceremony on Tuesday (Jul. 8) at the National ASAS-CSAS Annual Meeting in Hollywood, Florida.
The Young Scholar Award program recognizes the accomplishments of recent Ph.D. graduates and current Ph.D. students in advanced stages of their program. At the meeting, Dobbins is delivering a presentation on his latest research describing the relationship of muscle fiber type and beef carcass color to an audience of academic and industry professionals.
“It is an honor to be recognized for this award by peers and fellow animal scientists in the American Society of Animal Science,” Dobbins said. "While I am the one receiving the award, this is also a testament to the strength and research opportunities within the Animal & Food Sciences department here at Texas Tech."
Dobbins’ research currently centers on understanding ante- and postmortem factors influencing carcass color variation in the fed beef population and ultimately its influence on meat quality. During his time at Texas Tech, he has also studied the impacts of a prenatal immune stimulation on postnatal muscle growth and efficiency in pigs. He received his bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Georgia, and his master’s degree in animal science from Mississippi State University.
ASAS, the largest and oldest animal science organization in the country, was founded in 1908 and focuses on animal science research. Today, the society has more than 7,000 members with diverse backgrounds, including research professionals and undergraduate and graduate students.
Texas Tech’s Department of Animal & Food Sciences is home to approximately 30 faculty members in, many of whom are leading researchers in their respective fields. Areas of research excellence include meat science and muscle biology, food science and safety, animal nutrition, health and welfare, and companion animal science. The department continues to experience unprecedented growth in student enrollment (Fall 2024) and is comprised of more than 1,469 students (Graduate: 95 / Undergraduates: 1,374).
CONTACT: Chance Brooks, Professor and Chair, Department of Animal & Food Sciences, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-3517 or chance.brooks@ttu.edu
0519NM25