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UConn names Kumar Venkitanarayanan interim CAHNR dean
The appointment follows the departure of former dean Indrajeet Chaubey, who now serves as provost at the University of Arkansas.
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Bhavana P - Mon, 30, Jun 2025
- 16:31 EDT
- 10
Kumar Venkitanarayanan on July 6, 2017. / Peter Morenus/UConn Photo
The University of Connecticut has named Indian-American veterinarian Kumar Venkitanarayanan, as the interim dean of the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR).
Venkitanarayanan will provide strategic leadership, support faculty and student success, advance research and extension initiatives, and guide the College through a period of transition while a national search is conducted, the university said.
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Professor of animal science, Venkitanarayanan is an internationally recognized expert in egg and poultry meat safety. His research focuses on developing organic, antibiotic-free solutions to combat foodborne pathogens.
He currently leads a $10 million grant project from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) focused on sustainable poultry production.
Venkitanarayanan previously served as CAHNR’s senior associate dean for research and graduate studies, where he played a key role in forging academic collaborations with Indian universities, fostering international opportunities for faculty and students. In 2021, he was named a fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), recognizing his contributions to food safety research.
The announcement was made by UConn provost Anne D’Alleva, who expressed confidence in Venkitanarayanan’s leadership and dedication during this transitional period. “I am grateful to him for stepping into this role and for the continuity and leadership he will provide during this period of transition.”
Commenting on his new role, Venkitanarayanan said, “I am honored to support the teaching, research, and extension mission at CAHNR. I am excited to continue to seek creative strategies to elevate CAHNR’s unique strengths and amplify our impactful programs that reach all of Connecticut’s cities and towns, as well as communities around the world.”
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