Surendranath Suman

Professional Biography

Dr. Surendranath Suman is the Professor of Meat Science and University Research Professor at the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky. He also serves as the Assistant Dean for Research at the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the University of Kentucky. His research program focuses on the fundamental and applied aspects of meat color and is continuously supported by USDA NIFA AFRI competitive grants program. He has authored more than 290 scientific publications (including 120-plus peer-reviewed journal articles and 15 book chapters) and has been listed among the top 2% of world’s most-cited scientists.

For his outstanding research accomplishments, Dr. Suman has received numerous professional awards, including the American Meat Science Association Signal Service Fellow Award (2024), American Meat Science Association Distinguished Research Award (2022), American Meat Science Association International Lectureship Award (2019), American Society of Animal Science Meats Research Award (2018), Thomas Poe Cooper Research Award of the University of Kentucky (2017), Bobby Pass Excellence in Grantsmanship Award of the University of Kentucky (2016), American Society of Animal Science Early Career Achievement Award (2013), American Meat Science Association Achievement Award (2012), American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Outstanding Young Animal Scientist Award for Research (2012), and International Meat Secretariat Prize (2009).

Dr. Suman is the Associate Editor (2016–present) for Meat and Muscle Biology, the official journal of the American Meat Science Association. He also served as Associate Editor for Journal of Animal Science (2013–2016) and as Guest Editor for Animal Frontiers (2014 October). He served/continues to serve as a member of the editorial boards of Meat Science (2010–2016), International Journal of Food Science and Technology (2013–present), and Fleischwirtschaft International (2011–present). As a globally recognized expert in meat quality, Dr. Suman has been an invited speaker at 65-plus scientific conferences and research institutions in the US, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, China, India, Belgium, Germany, and Norway. 

Research Interests

Proteomics of meat quality
Myoglobin chemistry and meat color
Novel strategies to improve meat quality

Professional Experience

Assistant Dean for Research (2023 – Present)
Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky

Interim Chair, Department of Veterinary Science; Interim Director, Gluck Equine Research Center (02/2024 – 07/2024)
Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky

Professor (2017 – Present)
Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky

Associate Professor (2012 – 2017)
Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky

Assistant Professor (2006 – 2012)
Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky

Courses Taught

FSC 430, Sensory Evaluation of Foods
FSC 304, Animal Food Products

Awards

Signal Service Fellow Award, American Meat Science Association (2024)

Top 2% of world’s most-cited scientists (2023 – present)

Distinguished Research Award, American Meat Science Association (2022)

University Research Professor, University of Kentucky (2021)

International Lectureship Award, American Meat Science Association (2019)

Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Connecticut, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Alumni Association (2019)

Meats Research Award, American Society of Animal Science (2018)

Thomas Poe Cooper Distinguished Research Award, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky (2017)

Bobby Pass Excellence in Grantsmanship Award, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky (2016)

Special Visiting Researcher Fellowship, Government of Brazil (2014-2017)

Early Career Achievement Award, American Society of Animal Science (2013)

Achievement Award, American Meat Science Association (2012)

Outstanding Young Animal Scientist Award – Research, American Society of Animal Science Southern Section (2012)

International Meat Secretariat Prize (2009)

Outstanding Paper Presentation Award, American Oil Chemists’ Society (2006)

Synergistic Activities

Invited speaker in the U.S., Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, China, India, Belgium, Germany, and Norway

Reviewer for more than 55 international journals and 12 grants programs

Editorial Services

Associate Editor, Meat and Muscle Biology (2016 – Present)

Guest Editor, Animal Frontiers (2014 October)

Section Editor, Journal of Animal Science (2013 – 2016)

Editorial Board, International Journal of Food Science and Technology (2013 – Present)

Editorial Board, Animal Frontiers (2012 – 2016)

Editorial Board, Journal of Animal Science (2011 – 2013)

Editorial Board, Fleischwirtschaft International (2011 – Present)

Editorial Board, Meat Science (2010 – 2016)

Section Editor, Journal of Muscle Foods (2008 – 2009)