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Biography

Dr Vikram V. Mistry served South Dakota State University for almost 37 years in various capacities. He joined the Dairy Science Department at South Dakota State University as assistant professor in 1986. He was promoted to associate professor in 1991 and to professor in 1996. In 2002 he was appointed department head of Dairy Science and was named David A. Thompson Endowed Department Head and Professor in 2018, which was the first endowed department head at South Dakota State University. He remained in the position of department head until 2020 when he was appointed interim associate dean and director of academic programs of College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. In 2022 he became permanent associate dean and director of academic programs. Dr Mistry received his B.S. in dairy technology from Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand, India and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in food science – dairy science specialization from Cornell University, both under the mentorship of professor Frank V. Kosikowski. He served as a post-doctorate at Cornell University after his Ph.D. before joining South Dakota State University. Dr Mistry made substantial contributions to dairy science through research, teaching and mentoring numerous undergraduate and graduate students. He has published over 60 peer reviewed papers in reputable journals, 140 abstracts of papers presented at scientific meetings, invited presentations and book chapters, coauthored one book (Cheese and Fermented Milk Foods) and two patents.

As department head he led efforts for the construction of the $9.5 million Davis Dairy Plant, increased undergraduate enrollment by 140% and scholarships by approximately 275%. He worked with key state and dairy industry leaders to facilitate growth of the dairy industry in South Dakota.

He was a member of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) and Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) since 1979 and life member of the National Dairy Shrine. He served ADSA in several capacities and as a board member of the National Dairy Shrine. Among awards he has received are the International Dairy Foods Association Research Award of ADSA, Kraft Foods Teaching Award of ADSA, Harold Bailey Award for Excellence in Department Leadership, Friend of the Dairy industry Award in South Dakota and was the 2023 Minnesota State FFA Honorary Degree. In his position as associate dean he oversaw the academic programs of all departments in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, covering over 20 majors.