Justin J. Kastner

Justin J. Kastner is a Professor at Kansas State University (KSU) in the College of Veterinary Medicine's Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology Department. He serves as a past director of the University Honors Program (2013-2016) and is an ordained Anglican priest emphasizing life-purpose themes. His academic roles span teaching, research, and public service, with a focus on interdisciplinary education and global health policy.

Education:

• PhD 2003, University of Guelph (Canada)
• PgDip 2000, University of Edinburgh (UK)
• MSc 2000, London South Bank University (UK)
• BS 1998, Kansas State University

Research Interests: Dr. Kastner’s work bridges veterinary medicine, public health, and policy. His areas include global food systems, trade policy, economic history, and interdisciplinary scholarship. He pioneered the Frontier Field Trip model, integrating experiential learning through visits to trade ports, government offices, and museums to foster multidisciplinary thinking.

Grants & Service: He led $2.5M in grants from USDA and DHS for international capacity-building programs, training professionals from 12+ countries in food safety and agricultural health. His work emphasizes global cooperation in addressing transnational health challenges.

Awards:

• Truman Scholar (1997)
• Fulbright Scholar (1998-1999)
• Rotary Scholar (1999-2000)

Labs/Teams: The Frontier Field Trip program engages students in real-world research, with 39+ excursions since its inception. Collaborations include Dr. Jason Ackleson (Virginia), focusing on food safety regulations and historical public health case studies.