World-renowned for meat safety and quality

The Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University is known around the world for its work in meat safety and quality. Now, CSU has named John Schmidt, a U.S. Department of Agriculture researcher, as a faculty affiliate who will serve on a graduate advisory committee and continue collaborations between the USDA and the department.

Antimicrobial resistance research

Schmidt works with the Meat Safety and Quality Research Unit at the USDA-ARS Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. His research is closely-aligned with the work already underway at the CSU Center for Meat Safety and Quality housed in the Department of Animal Sciences. Along with his USDA colleagues, Schmidt focuses on research associated with antimicrobial resistance in beef and pork, an area of research that CSU is also known for. His research is designed to be of use to scientists, veterinarians, medical professionals, livestock producers, meat processors, and government officials who need to be aware of the best practices and policies regarding the use of antimicrobials in animal agriculture.

Partnership with USDA

Monfort Professor of Animal Sciences Keith Belk is an expert in antimicrobial resistance and sees tremendous value in adding Schmidt as a faculty affiliate.

“Dr. Schmidt is a highly-trained microbiologist who will enhance our relationship with USDA and offers a real-world example of the kind of government positions that many of our graduates can pursue,” said Belk.

Schmidt has worked at the USDA as a research microbiologist since 2009 after completing postdoctoral positions at the University of Pennsylvania and Duke University. He has a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in microbiology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a bachelor’s of science in biotechnology from Rutgers University.