AMES, Iowa — Dr. Joseph Sebranek, Distinguished Professor of animal science, food science and human nutrition, has been named the first holder of the Morrison Chair in Meat Science at Iowa State University.

A faculty member at Iowa State since 1975, Sebranek investigates the scientific principles important to development of new products and processes for the meat industry that will improve marketability of livestock. He also evaluates new technology proposed for the food industry to achieve the best adaptation for utilization and improvement of the safety of animal products as human food.


Sebranek was named a Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State in 2008. He is a fellow of the American Society of Animal Science and the Institute of Food Technologists. He has received numerous awards for his research, teaching and service at Iowa State. He holds a master’s and Ph.D. from the Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison and a bachelor’s degree from the Univ. of Wisconsin-Platteville.

The endowed faculty position was established by David and Judith Morrison of Paradise Valley, Ariz. David Morrison was chief executive officer of Sampco Inc., a Chicago-based food and beverage company, and he remains a consultant for that firm.

“We are grateful to David and Judee Morrison for establishing this endowed chair in the Department of Animal Science,” said Gregory Geoffroy, Iowa State president. “This level of commitment is essential to maintaining and elevating our top programs at Iowa State, as well as supporting our faculty and students.”

The Morrison Chair in Meat Science will have additional funds to support research, teaching, graduate assistant or postdoctoral stipends, technical assistance and other resources to advance work in food safety.