Kathryn L. Kotula, Ph.D. significantly, yet quietly, shaped the red meat/poultry industry her entire career. She is an esteemed consultant, with her own consultancy, Investigative Food Sciences, helping impact legal decisions involving industry and regulatory matters. She has been a leading source for local and national media, educating millions of consumers around the country on safe food handling techniques.

Kathy started her career as an Assistant Professor at the University of Delaware, one of the nation’s leading poultry universities, where she taught countless students (who launched their own successful careers), performed impactful research, and service, including starting her consulting.

Throughout her distinguished career, Kathy has tirelessly volunteered with prominent organizations including American Meat Science Association and Phi Tau Sigma – The Honor Society of Food Science and Technology.

Kathy is a nationally recognized authority on the safety and quality of animal products, particularly red meat/poultry. A senior investigative food scientist and former professor of food science, Kathy is a uniquely qualified expert on animal products throughout the continuum of production, processing, regulatory compliance, distribution, warehousing, and consumption. She serves a unique function to the food industry as a scientific expert by defining the science involved in food safety and/or quality lawsuits/arbitrations. Kathy promotes the future of the industry by promoting students who are our next generation of leaders.

Specific Purpose of Funds: The funds from this mentorship will go toward the AMSA Mid-Career Leadership Award.