Animal science faculty, students honored at national conference
Osburn receives American Meat Science Association Signal Service Fellow Award
Faculty and students from the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Animal Science earned top national honors during the 78th annual Reciprocal Meat Conference, RMC, hosted by the American Meat Science Association, AMSA, June 23-25 in Columbus, Ohio.
The Reciprocal Meat Conference is the premier gathering of meat science professionals, featuring research presentations, professional development and networking opportunities. The Department of Animal Science was well represented by both faculty and students.
Osburn named AMSA Signal Service Fellow
Wes Osburn, Ph.D., associate professor of meat science, was named a 2025 AMSA Signal Service Fellow, one of the association’s highest honors. Established in 1956, this award recognizes members for devoted service and lasting contributions to both the meat industry and the association.
“My greatest career achievement is coaching, teaching and mentoring students to achieve their career goals and collaborating with academic and industry colleagues to advance the meat science discipline,” Osburn said.
Osburn focuses on processed meats, value-added products, food safety and meat quality. He works closely with the state, national and international meat processing industry. An active AMSA member for many years, Osburn received the AMSA Achievement Award in 2005 and AMSA Processing Award in 2016 for his research and teaching contributions to the processed meat industry.
All recipients of this award are designated as AMSA Fellows.
Miller honored with AMSA Mentor Recognition
Rhonda Miller, Ph.D., professor of meat science and Texas A&M AgriLife Research Faculty Fellow, was honored with the AMSA Mentor Recognition award. This award is given by mentees to honor the contributions the recipient has made to their careers and lives. Miller joins Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Russell Cross, Ph.D., senior professor in meat science, as the only faculty from Texas A&M University to receive this recognition.
In addition to the award, mentees raised funds to support AMSA activities to honor Miller and her lifelong contributions to AMSA. Miller was honored in 2024 as the first female recipient of the R.C. Pollock Award by the association
Lee receives AMSA Student Teaching ‘Cleaver’ Award
Lauren Lee, a doctoral student from Hamilton, received the AMSA Student Teaching “Cleaver” Award in the doctoral division. Presented by the AMSA student board of directors, this award recognizes a graduate student’s excellence in teaching and supporting faculty in meat science courses.
The Cleaver Award celebrates graduate teaching assistants based on their ability to motivate students, improve instruction, demonstrate enthusiasm for teaching and engage outside the classroom. Only one doctoral and one master’s student are selected each year.
Students honored with Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Award
Two animal science majors were among just seven students nationally selected to receive the 2025 AMSA Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Award, which recognizes outstanding undergraduates with potential for a career in meat science.
- Nathan Kerth, senior, College Station.
- Madeline Unruh, senior, Peyton, Colorado.
These recognitions reflect the Department of Animal Science’s continued commitment to excellence in teaching, research and student success.
