Teaching and Research Interests
Benjy Mikel is Professor and Head of the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion and Director of the Food Science Institute at Mississippi State University. Benjy has organized the newly formed department and started extension program in the area of food science at MSU since his arrival in July 2005. He oversees a unit of over 35 faculty and staff with over 160 undergraduate and graduate students. He has an outstanding international and national record of accomplishments in the area of food science extension and industry service. Benjy’s accomplishments include various multistate project developments in extension and research. Benjy is well known throughout the meat industry, the American Meat Science Association (currently serving on that organization’s Board of Directors) and IFT (currently serving as the IFTSA faculty advisor). Recently, Benjy was awarded the AMSA Extension-Industry Meritorious Service Award (2006) and he was recently accepted into the Food Systems Leadership Institute as one of only 25 members nationwide for his work in the area of food safety and quality. He is currently spearheading the development of the newest Culinology program, a joint venture between Mississippi State University and the Mississippi University for Women’s.

Membership
American Registry of Professional Animal Scientist
American College of Animal Food Scientist- Diplomat
American Society of Animal Scientist
American Meat Science Association
Association of Food Protection
International HACCP Alliance
Research Chef Association
Institute of Food Technologist

Awards/Honors
AMSA Distinguished Extension Industry Award
AMSA Achievement Award
AMSA Board of Directors
ARPAS Governing Council
Auburn University Distinguished Alumni Award
Auburn University Outstanding Faculty Award