Mindy Brashears, a nationally recognized professor of food microbiology and food safety within Texas Tech’s Department of Animal & Food Sciences, has been awarded the American Meat Science Association’s Signal Service Fellow Award. The recognition was made earlier this summer at the group’s 78th Annual Reciprocal Meat Conference in Columbus, Ohio.
Established in 1956, the honor is given to the organization’s members in recognition of devoted service and lasting contributions to the meat industry and to the association. All Signal Service Award winners are designated as an American Meat Science Association Fellow.
As director of Texas Tech’s International Center for Food Industry Excellence, Brashears has a strong record of research success. Her work has centered on mitigation strategies in pre- and post-harvest environments and the emergence of antimicrobial drug resistance in agricultural ecosystems where she is largely interested in meat, poultry and vegetable products.
At Texas Tech, Brashears is also honored as a Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professor, as well as holding the Roth & Letch Family Endowed Chair for Food Safety. In addition to her roles at within the Department of Animal & Food Sciences, she serves on the Board of Directors for the International Stockman’s Education Foundation, as a Fellow in the National Academy of Inventors, and works on the Development Council for the American Meat Science Association and on the Academic Advisory panel for the Protein Pact.
Outside the academic arena, Brashears formerly served as the USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety. From 2019-2021, she was instrumental in managing the food supply chain during the pandemic, and she is credited for multiple events, such as the Swine Inspection Modernization and Egg Inspection Modernization, during her time in Washington, D.C. President Trump has again nominated Brashears to be USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety. If confirmed by the Senate, she will become the only person to serve a second stint as Under Secretary for Food Safety.
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
0715NM25 / PHOTO: Cargill Sr. Director Scott Eilert (L) and Mindy Brashears