College of Agriculture and Human Sciences
Special Seminar
What Opportunities for Research Collaboration with the
Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture
Who
A graduate of Florida International University (B.S. in Biological
Sciences) and Virginia Tech (M.S. in Anaerobic Microbiology and
PhD in Food Science & Technology), Dr. Murano began her career as
an Assistant Professor in food microbiology at Iowa State University
in 1990, where she conducted research in food safety. In 1995, she
joined the faculty at Texas A&M University as Associate Professor,
leading the university’s Center for Food Safety as Director. She has
received research funding since 1990 of over $9 million, and has
published more than 50 scientific articles and 7 book chapters in the
field. In 2001, Professor Murano was appointed by President George
W. Bush to serve as Undersecretary for Food Safety at the Department of Agriculture, the highest ranking food safety official
in the U.S. government. As a result of her leadership, the Food Safety Inspection Service reached the Centers for Disease
Control Healthy People 2020 goals of reducing foodborne illnesses six years ahead of schedule. In 2005, Dr. Murano
returned to Texas A&M, where she was appointed Dean and Vice Chancellor of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the largest
such program in the nation. During her tenure, she reversed the declining enrollment in the College, secured increased
funding from the state for the agriculture agencies, and rebranded the agencies to better reflect the important role of
agriculture in the life sciences. In 2008, Dr. Murano became the first woman, and first Hispanic president of Texas A&M
University. Her initiatives resulted in an increase in state funding, remodeling of the Memorial Student Center and Military
Walk ahead of schedule, construction of the Agriculture and Life Sciences buildings, and the rise in the university’s rankings
by U.S. News & World Reports from 24th to 21st among public universities. Since June of 2012, Dr. Murano has been
serving as Director of the Norman E. Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture, which conducts development projects to
lift small farmers out of poverty and hunger in Asia, Latin America, Sub Saharan Africa, and the Middle East. In addition to
her teaching and research duties, she serves on the Board of Directors of Hormel Foods Corporation, the International Life
Sciences Institute for North America, and the Food Processors Institute Foundation.
When:
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM, Friday, April 1st 2016
Where:
CARC Seminar Room
Contact:
Deland Myers, Endowed Professor, Food Systems, CAHS-PVAMU
Phone: 936 261 5082, Email: djmyers@PVAMU.Edu