Kumar Venkitanarayanan currently serves as Interim Dean and Director in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR), with a permanent role as the Senior Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education, and Associate Director of the Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of Connecticut. He received his PhD in Animal Science from the University of Connecticut in 1996. As a veterinarian trained in livestock production, food safety, and microbiology, his research investigates the efficacy of plant-derived molecules and probiotics for attenuating virulence and antibiotic resistance in human and veterinary pathogens and reducing their colonization in poultry for improving food safety. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple journals. He is the recipient of several accolades, including the Fellow of Institute of Food Technologists, Research Excellence and Creativity Award (Science), University of Connecticut, Evonik Degussa Award for outstanding research in Poultry Science for a period of seven years, Poultry Science Association, Food Microbiology Division award, Institute of Food Technologists, Research Excellence Award, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, UConn, and Gamma Sigma Delta Faculty Award of Merit, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, UConn.