The Distinguished Research Award
Sponsored by Conagra Brands
The AMSA Distinguished Research Award was established in 1965 and recognizes members with outstanding research contributions to the meat industry.
Ranjith Ramanathan, Ph.D.

Distinguished Research
"I feel very fortunate to work with outstanding mentors, colleagues, graduate and undergraduate students, and industry. It was truly rewarding to apply some of the basic and applied concepts to solve meat color issues."
- Ranjith Ramanathan, Ph.D.
Distinguished Research by American Meat Science Association
2022 | Surendranath, Suman | University of Kentucky |
2021 | Barbut, Shai | University of Guelph |
2020 | Johnson, Bradley | Texas Tech University |
2019 | Miller, Mark | Texas Tech University |
2018 | Brashears, Mindy | Texas Tech University |
2017 | Belk, Keith | Colorado State University |
2016 | Johnson, Dwain | University of Florida |
2015 | Miller, Rhonda |
Texas A&M University |
2014 | Shackelford, Steven | USMARC |
2013 | Wheeler, Tommy L. | USDA Agricultural Research Service |
2012 | Lonergan, Steven M. | Iowa State University |
2011 | Calkins, Chris | University of Nebraska |
2010 | Toldra, Fidel | Instituto De Agroquimica Y Technologia de Alimentos |
2009 | Huff Lonergan, Elisabeth J. | Iowa State University |
2008 | Hunt, Melvin C. | Kansas State University |
2007 | Gerrard, David E. | Purdue University |
2006 | Dikeman, Michael E. | Kansas State University |
2005 | Sebranek, Joseph G. | Iowa State University |
2004 | McKeith, Floyd K. | University of Illinois |
2003 | Olson, Dennis G. | Surebeam Corporation |
2002 | Solomon, Morse B. | USDA Agricultural Research Service |
2001 | Tatum, J. Daryl | Colorado State University |
2000 | Faustman, L. Cameron | University of Connecticut |
1999 | Xiong, Youling L. | University of Kentucky |
1998 | Smith, Steven B. | Texas A & M University |
1997 | Smith, Denise M. | Michigan State University |
1996 | Beerman, Donald H. | Cornell University |
1995 | Carpenter, John A. | University of Georgia |
1994 | Sofos, John N. | Colorado State University |
1993 | Koohmaraie, Mohammad | U. S. Dept. of Agriculture |
1992 | Kotula, Anthony W. | U. S. Dept. of Agriculture |
1991 | Savell, Jeff W. | Texas A & M University |
1990 | Cross, H. Russell | Texas A & M University |
1989 | Stromer, Marvin H. | Iowa State University |
1988 | Campion, Dennis R. | University of Georgia |
1987 | Parrish, Jr., Fredrick C. | Iowa State University |
1986 | Aberle, Elton D. | University of Nebraska |
1985 | Dutson, Thane R. | Michigan State University |
1984 | Robson, R. M. | Iowa State University |
1983 | Field, Ray A. | University of Wisconsin |
1982 | Smith, Gary C. | Texas A & M University |
1981 | Greaser, Marion L. | University of Wisconsin |
1980 | Allen, C. E. | University of Minnesota |
1979 | Carpenter, Zerle L. | Texas A & M University |
1978 | Ayres, J. C. | University of Georgia |
1977 | Wasserman, A. E. | U. S. Dept. of Agriculture |
1976 | Wierbicki, E. | U. S. Army Natick R & D Command |
1975 | Locker, R. H. | Meat Industry Research Institute New Zealand |
1974 | Judge, Max D. | Purdue University |
1973 | Hamm, Reiner E. | German Federal Institute of Meat Research |
1972 | Goll, Darrell E. | Iowa State University |
1971 | Cassens, Robert G. | University of Wisconsin |
1970 | Marsh, B. Bruce | Meat Industry Research Institute New Zealand |
1969 | Bray, Robert W. | University of Wisconsin |
1968 | Bendall, J. R. | Cambridge Low Temperature Research Station |
1967 | Lawrie, Ralston A. | University of Nottingham |
1966 | Briskey, E. J. | University of Wisconsin |
1965 | Pearson, A. M. | Michigan State University |