National or International Services
Panel Member
USDA-NIFA-AFRI (A1601 program) grant panel review
Fall 2024
President
IFT Food Microbiology Division
Fall 2024-Present
Reviewer
Scientific abstracts review committee of Indian Association for Food Protection in North America (IAFPNA)
Summer 2024
Committee member
Poultry Science Association Early Achievement Award in Research
Fall 2023-Spring 2024
Reviewer
Scientific abstract review committee of Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Food Microbiology Division
Spring 2024
Panel member
USDA-NIFA-AFRI (A1332 program) grant panel review
Fall 2023
Associate Editor
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
Summer 2023-Present
Reviewer
PSA Student Travel Award Application Review Committee
Summer 2023
President-Elect
IFT Food Microbiology Division
Fall 2023-Summer 2024
Secretary
IFT Food Microbiology Division
Fall 2022-Summer 2023
Technical Research Paper leads
IFT Food Microbiology Division
Fall 2021-Summer 2022
Member at Large
IFT Food Microbiology Division
Fall 2020-Summer 2021
Reviewer
Scientific abstracts review committee of Poultry Science Association
Fall 2020-Summer 2021
Reviewer
Scientific abstract review committee of Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Food Microbiology Division
Fall 2019-Summer 2020
Ad-hoc Reviewer
Scientific Journals
2019-Present
University Level Services
Member
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
Fall 2024-Present
Member
Chemical Hygiene Committee (CHC)
Fall 2024-Present
Reviewer
Jorgensen, Harriot, Crandall Fellowship committee
Spring 2024
Faculty advisor
Tarang student organization
Fall 2021-Present
Faculty advisor
Guitar Club
Fall 2022-Present
College Level Services
Reviewer
CAHNR Capacity grant panel
(Service term 4)
Fall 2024-Spring 2025
Reviewer
CAHNR Capacity grant panel
(Service term 3)
Spring 2024
Reviewer
CAHNR Capacity grant panel
(Service term 2)
Spring 2023
Reviewer
CAHNR Capacity grant panel
(Service term 1)
Spring 2022
Member
CAHNR Strategic Vision Implementation committee
(Enhancing Health and Well-Being Locally, Nationally, and Globally)
Fall 2021-Present
Member
CAHNR Research Advisory Council
Fall 2020-Present
Member
Strategic visioning committee
Fall 2019-Spring 2021
Judge
Graduate Research Forum, 2019
04-06-2019
Department Level Services
Member
ANSC Awards Committee. (Chair-Dr. Dennis D’Amico)
Members of the Awards Committee in the Department of Animal Science are responsible for identifying and compiling a comprehensive list of potential awards that faculty, staff and students can apply for at the local, regional, and national levels. They assist in preparing nomination materials, ensuring that all required documentation is accurate, complete, and compelling. Additionally, the committee reviews submitted materials to provide constructive feedback and ensure alignment with award criteria, supporting the recognition of excellence within the department.
Fall 2024-Present
Search committee member
Department Head and Professor (Committee chair- Dr. Mary Anne Amalaradjou)
Assist in identifying, evaluating, and selecting the acceptable candidate for the position in accordance with institutional guidelines and values. Responsibilities include developing job description, active recruitment, candidate review, evaluation, interviewing, reference checks, and recommendation to the upper administration.
Spring 2023-Fall 2023
Search committee member
Assistant Professor of Reproductive physiology (Committee chair- Dr. Sarah Reed)
Assist in identifying, evaluating, and selecting the acceptable/best candidate for the position in accordance with institutional guidelines and values. Responsibilities include developing job description, active recruitment, candidate review, evaluation, interviewing, reference checks, and recommendation to the upper administration.
Fall 2022-Spring 2023
Letter of Recommendations
(VMCAS)
I regularly provide letters of recommendation for undergraduate students applying to veterinary schools through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). This involves assessing their academic performance, research involvement, and overall qualifications to support their applications. I work closely with each student to ensure the letters are personalized and reflect their strengths, aligning with the expectations of vet school admissions committees. Below is a list of my recommendations.
Rhys Moskowitz (2024) | Mackenzie Connors (2024) | Amanda Moghadasi (2024) | Lindsey Cowden (2024) | Rhys Moskowitz (2023) | Sofia Prata (2022)
Fall 2022-Present
Member
ANSC Internship Committee
Assist in identifying, evaluating, and selecting the best students for the internship. Responsibilities include candidate review, evaluation, ranking, and recommendation to department head.
Fall 2022-Present
Search committee member
Assistant or Associate Professor of Meat Chemistry (Committee chair- Dr. Rich Mancini)
Assist in identifying, evaluating, and selecting the acceptable/best candidate for the position in accordance with institutional guidelines and values. Responsibilities include developing job description, active recruitment, candidate review, evaluation, interviewing, reference checks, and recommendation to the upper administration.
Fall 2021-Spring 2022
Member
ANSC Graduate Committee.
The overarching goal is to provide comprehensive support to graduate students throughout their academic journey, from enrollment to degree completion. Responsibilities include academic advising, thesis/dissertation guidance, progress monitoring, application review and approvals and program oversight.
Fall 2021-Present
Advisor
Poultry Science Club
As a faculty advisor for the Poultry Club, my responsibilities include providing guidance and support to the club’s members in organizing events, educational activities, and outreach initiatives. I assist in coordinating guest speakers, field trips, and hands-on learning opportunities that enhance students’ understanding of poultry science. Additionally, I help facilitate the club’s participation in competitions and conferences, ensuring that students have access to professional development opportunities. Selected past activities include participation in PSA 2024, PSA 2023, IPPE 2022, and IPPE 2019 conferences. Additionally, the club participated in Poultry CDE event at UConn in 2023,2022, 2021, and 2019, and hosted the Southern Connecticut 4-H Poultry Show in 2019.
January 2019-Present
Poultry CDE
Organized Poultry Career Development Events in collaboration with high schools in Connecticut in Fall 2022 (Service Term 3), Fall 2021 (Service Term 2) and Fall 2019 (Service Term 1).
Fall 2019-Present
Advisor
Institute of Food Technologists Student Association, UConn Chapter (IFTSA).
As a faculty advisor for IFTSA, my responsibilities include providing guidance and support to the club’s members in organizing events, educational activities, and outreach initiatives. I assist in coordinating guest speakers, field trips, and hands-on learning opportunities that enhance students’ understanding of food microbiology and safety. Additionally, I help facilitate the club’s participation in competitions and conferences, ensuring that students have access to professional development opportunities. My role also involves mentoring club officers in leadership and organizational skills, fostering a collaborative and engaging environment for all members.
Fall 2019-Present
Member
Department review
Compiling documents for the Food group section of the report.
2020-2021
Reviewer
PhD proposal of Lang Sun (Advisor-Dennis D’Amico)
My responsibilities for this assignment included providing feedback on the research hypothesis and originality, methodology, quality of literature review, writing, and the overall organization and quality of the document.
Spring 2020
Reviewer
PhD proposal of Brandon Smith (Advisor-Kristen Govoni
My responsibilities for this assignment included providing feedback on the research hypothesis and originality, methodology, quality of literature review, writing, and the overall organization and quality of the document
Fall 2019
Volunteer
Arethusa Manolo Blahnik Shoe Sale for the Animal Science Scholarship
Assist with organizing and facilitating various sale activities
August 17, 2019
Reviewer
PhD proposal of Chang Huang (Advisor- Young Tang)
My responsibilities for this assignment included providing feedback on the research hypothesis and originality, methodology, quality of literature review, writing, and the overall organization and quality of the document.
July 1 – July 10 2019
Public and Community Services
Scientific Counseling/discussion session
Provided pro bono scientific support and counseling to founders of Danolyte Germ Barrier Company to explore national funding opportunities and potential collaborations between industry personnel and the University of Connecticut. Discussions focused on leveraging university resources to support the development of both organic and conventional disinfectants, fostering innovation in disinfection technology through academic-industry partnerships.
December 9, 2024
Guest Lecture and discussion. (Virtually via Webex)
Opportunities in higher education in USA-Veterinary graduates from India. Dr. Sudha Rani- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gannavaram, India.
Summer 2023
Scientific Counseling/discussion session
Provided pro bono scientific support and counseling to Hiro Hara, founder of Phytosmart LLC, in the development of competitive grant proposals for USDA SBIR, NSF SBIR and other funding opportunities. Assisted with experimental design, ensuring scientific rigor and alignment with agency priorities, and offered strategic guidance to enhance the proposals’ impact and feasibility.
Spring 2022-Fall 2024
Scientific Counseling/discussion session
Met with Istvan Lippai from Lanxess corporation to discuss poultry product safety and industry recommendations
Spring 2021
Guest Lecture
Seminar Series career event, Kerala Association of Kansas City. (Virtually via Webex)
Career opportunities in Veterinary and Animal Science
July 11, 2020