June 13, 2022
MSU researcher honored for distinctions in food safety engineering
Bradley P. Marks, P.E., of Michigan State University has been named a Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) for his leadership and professional distinctions in food safety engineering. The rank of Fellow is ASABE’s highest honor.
Marks is professor and chair of the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE), which is jointly administered by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) and the College of Engineering. He leads an interdisciplinary research team to develop improved methods for design and operation of manufacturing systems for ready-to-eat food products, with a primary emphasis on improved microbial safety.
“Dr. Marks is incredibly deserving of this highest honor from ASABE,” said CANR Interim Dean Kelly Millenbah. “His MSU colleagues respect Brad as a high-impact researcher and leader in his field, and we’re grateful for his service to our community. He’s also a renowned teacher, and our students benefit from his expertise, humor, and commitment to their success.” she added.
Leo Kempel, dean of the College of Engineering, noted that being named a Fellow is a lifetime achievement.
“Election as a Fellow of ASABE is an indication of the high regard for the significant impact and high quality of Dr. Marks and his students among colleagues, and it shows the esteem Brad enjoys among his closest disciplinary peers,” Kempel said. “All of us at Michigan State University are extremely proud that Brad is a Spartan!”
Marks has been a professor in BAE since 1999. He currently directs a five-year, $9.8 million, multi-institutional project that takes a holistic look at reducing threats of pathogens in low-moisture foods.
He has established an international reputation for his interdisciplinary research focused on the microbial safety of ready-to-eat food products. His team is currently developing ways to improve food safety of fresh produce for immunocompromised people.
An engineer by training, Marks has expanded his expertise to food microbiology and predictive modeling to reduce foodborne disease outbreaks linked to meats, fresh-cut fruits and vegetables and low-moisture foods. His research informs standards used by federal and state regulators in the food processing industry.
His leadership roles have included the MSU Food Safety Group, serving as a Food Fellow at MSU and chairing the program committee for the International Association for Food Protection. He has also served in advisory capacities for the International Life Science Institute, the Almond Board of California and the Food Protection and Defense Institute.
Marks teaches BAE undergraduate courses, mentors undergraduate and graduate students, and led the biosystems engineering accreditation process for 16 years. In addition to receiving teaching awards at the college, university, and national level, he received the William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award from MSU in 2017.
He is a 1989 graduate of MSU, receiving a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering. He then attended Purdue University, where he earned master’s (1992) and Ph.D. (1993) degrees.
ASABE is an international professional society devoted to agricultural and biological engineering. Its mission is to promote engineering in food, water, energy, fiber and the environment. ASABE has members in more than 100 countries.
Marks will be honored at the ASABE annual international meeting in Houston, Texas, July 17-20, 2022.
