Meat Science & Food Safety Program Leader | Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Science

Extension Award of Excellence for Academic Faculty

The Extension Award of Excellence for Academic Faculty recognizes, rewards and celebrates outstanding research, creative, teaching and outreach activities, as well as exemplary faculty service. It recognizes outstanding contributions to international programs, program development, academic and global research or international research, and teaching.

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Amilton de Mello is an assistant professor in the College's Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Science; a state specialist with the College's Extension; and director of Wolf Pack Meats in the College's Experiment Station. He also serves as the College's Animal & Rangeland Science graduate program director, and on the Nevada Food Safety Task Force and U.S. Department of Agriculture National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection. His research covers all aspects of farm to table, such as animal handling, nutrition, welfare, harvesting and processing; meat industry operations; and food nutrition, safety, security and impact on chronic disease. He frequently presents his research to national and international audiences. In recent years, de Mello has received nearly $1.3 million in funding to support his research, and his students have received over $86,000 in awards and scholarships. He and his students are preparing 12 journal articles on meat consumption and cancer. He has published 13 journal articles and three Extension publications in the last five years. During his tenure with the University, de Mello developed a new cut of beef called the Bonanza cut, and developed ways to decrease Salmonella and E. coli contamination. He earned the University's Early Career Innovator Award for innovative ideas such as these that have impacted and benefited industry, communities and the public. He's also helped Nevada ranchers, food handlers, consumers, youth and families through Extension presentations and programs, including Cattlemen's Update and Nevada 4-H Youth Development Program.