Kumar Venkitanarayanan

Kumar Venkitanarayanan is a Professor and Interim Dean at the University of Connecticut's College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR). He previously worked as a Veterinarian in India, served as an Assistant Professor in Veterinary Public Health at Kerala Agricultural University, and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Georgia's Center for Food Safety and Quality Enhancement.

• Education: MS in Veterinary Science

His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of food-borne pathogens' environmental stress tolerance, novel antimicrobial-based inactivation of pathogens in food systems, and development of rapid molecular detection methods. Current projects include combating antibiotic-resistant C. difficile infections using tagatose and advancing sustainable poultry systems through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Venkitanarayanan has secured significant grants, including a $3.34 million USDA grant for organic poultry development and a $10 million USDA initiative on poultry sustainability. His work bridges veterinary science, public health, and agricultural innovation.

Contact: kumar.venkitanarayanan@uconn.edu | Office: George White Bldg., Room 114 | Lab: Room 006