Service

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