As just one more example of his distinguished career as one of the world’s leading meat scientists, Keith Belk, a professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University and the Ken and Myra Monfort Chair in Meat Science, has been named the recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Research Award from the American Meat Science Association. Professor Belk will receive this honor at the 70th Reciprocal Meat Conference held in June.
Outstanding research contributions
“The award was established in 1965 to recognize members with outstanding research contributions to the meat industry and is sponsored by ConAgra Brands,” according to AMSA. AMSA also noted Belk’s “notable research record” in the areas of “meat safety and quality, metagenomics/microbiome assessment, whole genome sequencing, international marketing and quality/safety management” as factors leading to this distinction.
Belk has been on the CSU faculty since 1995 and is the principal investigator or co-principal investigator on 529 separate grants and has authored 206 peer-reviewed journal publications, 7 book chapters, 1 book review and 3 patents. His research has garnered more $19 million in grants and external funding. His expertise has been utilized by industry innovators such as JBS and Safeway, and he regularly consults with USDA-AMS and other government agencies on food safety issues.
Global impact
“This award recognizes the tremendous global impact of Professor Belk’s work in the field of meat safety,” said Ajay Menon, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. “He continues to expand our understanding of the transmission and prevention of prevention of food-borne illnesses, and his expertise in food safety and international trade has made him a highly-sought after expert in the United States and abroad.”
Belk is affiliated with a number of professional organizations including AMSA, the American Society of Animal Science, the American Society of Microbiology, and the National Cattleman’s Beef Association. He has also received the Distinguished Service Award from the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the Harry L. Rudnick Educator’s Award from the North American Meat Association, and the Signal Service Award, also from AMSA.
