CHAMPAIGN, IL — The American Meat Science Association (AMSA) announces that Dr. Keith Belk has been named an AMSA Fellow and is a recipient of the 2013 AMSA Signal Service Award. The AMSA Signal Service Award was established in 1956 and is given to members in recognition of devoted service and lasting contributions to the meat industry and to the association. The Signal Service Awards are sponsored by Keystone Foods, Johnsonville Sausage Company and Elanco Animal Health. Dr. Belk will be honored at an Awards banquet during the AMSA 66th Reciprocal Meat Conference on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 in Auburn, AL.
Dr. Keith Belk’s career was launched upon completion of his B. S. and M.S. degrees from Colorado State University in 1986. He started as a quality control supervisor for Safeway Stores. After three years at Safeway, he moved to College Station, Texas where, in 1992, he completed his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University. During his time there, he won the AMSA Graduate Research Poster Competition. He spent the next four years as an International Marketing Specialist with USDA before joining the Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University.
During his tenure at CSU, he has proved to be a prolific author with over 160 refereed scientific publications and over 400 abstracts, articles, monographs, research reports and book chapters. He has chaired or co-chaired the committees for 55 graduate students and served as a committee member for 27 additional students. Keith’s research program is internationally recognized, having generated over $12 million in grant and extramural support and resulted in over 400 addresses, guest lectures or professional presentations around the world.
Keith served as AMSA President in 2009-2010. During his tenure on the board, a number of strategic steps were taken to broaden the international programs of the association and to further develop AMSA’s growing student programs. AMSA recognized him in 1998 with the Achievement Award.
Source: The American Meat Science Association (AMSA)