Posted: April 18, 2022
Karen I. Plaut, Ph.D., Dean of Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, has been selected as the 2022 Animal Science Distinguished Alumnus by Penn State’s Department of Animal Science.
Karen I. Plaut, Ph.D., Dean of Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, has been selected as the 2022 Animal Science Distinguished Alumnus by Penn State’s Department of Animal Science.
Dr. Plaut earned her M.S. in animal nutrition from Penn State after receiving her B.S. from the University of Vermont. She earned her Ph.D.in animal science from Cornell University. She was named Glenn W. Sample Dean, Purdue College of Agriculture in 2018.
Dr. Adele Turzillo, Head of the Department of Animal Science, said, “We are delighted to recognize Dr. Plaut for her many contributions to the agricultural community. Her outstanding leadership throughout her career is an example of her commitment to excellence.”
Dr. Plaut said, “I truly enjoyed my time at Penn State as I got to conduct cutting edge research working with so many excellent faculty and fellow graduate students. My MS program set me up so well to complete my PhD and for all the opportunities I have had since leaving Penn State.”
As Dean, Dr. Plaut administers academic programs within the College of Agriculture, as well as the Indiana Agricultural Experiment Station, the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service and a number of state regulatory services. She also serves as Professor of Animal Sciences and has an active research program in mammary gland biology.
Prior to her appointment as dean, she was Senior Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs in the College of Agriculture.
Her postdoctoral studies were completed at the National Cancer Institute at NIH. Previously she was on the faculty at the University of Vermont and Michigan State University, serving as Chair of the Department of Animal Sciences at both institutions. She also worked with NASA as lead scientist for the International Space Station Biological Research Project for a few years.
She was named a fellow of the American Dairy Science Association in 2020, having been a member since 1990 and served on the board of directors. She served on the science policy committee of the Federation of Societies of Animal Sciences and was chair in 2014. She was a member of the American Society of Animal Science, the American Society of Gravitational and Space Biology and the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. She is a member of Alpha Zeta and Gamma Sigma Delta, both honorary agriculture fraternities. She also currently serves on the Board of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine.
