Outstanding in Their Field

The people who make up the UT Institute of Agriculture are the driving force behind the Real. Life. Solutions. we create and deliver. Learn more about some of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni whose work sets them apart.

Faculty


Kristen Johnson with trees in the background

Kristen Johnson

Assistant professor of Family and Consumer Sciences works to improve the lives of people in Tennessee and around the world through community nutrition

Andrew Muhammad standing in front of Morgan Hall

Andrew Muhammad

Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Blasingame Chair of Excellence in Agricultural Policy studies international trade to better understand the US agricultural economy

Headshot of Sharon Jean-Philippe

Sharon Jean-Philippe

School of Natural Resources professor educates communities on the benefits of healthy and diverse urban forests

Staff


Holly Jones with yellow flowers

Holly Jones

Horticulturalist cultivates spaces for people to connect with nature at UT Gardens, Knoxville

Blake Brown standing in a field of cotton

Blake Brown

AgResearch and Education Center at Milan director carries a legacy of agricultural research

Kayela standing in the new UTCVM building

Kayela Statom

A love for students and agriculture fuels UTCVM coordinator of recruitment and student engagement’s passion for veterinary education

Students


Katie Collins on UT Knoxville campus

Katie Collins

Undergraduate studying agriculture business is nationally recognized for impactful 4-H project

Elias in a field controlling a drone flying above

Elias Zuchelli

Plant pathology graduate student explores innovative solutions to combat fungicide resistance

Headshot of Serenity Byars

Serenity Byars

Veterinary student shares her love for animals and passion for science with prospective students as a UTCVM ambassador

Alumni


Lydia wearing a Team USA shirt with cattle in the background

Lydia White

Food Science alum (’02) set to represent the United States as an orthopaedic surgeon caring for athletes in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris

Charlie Hatcher at a barn with cattle in the background

Charlie Hatcher

UTCVM Alum (’84) Serves Tennessee’s Farmers and Foresters as the State’s 38th Commissioner of Agriculture

Samantha Beaty with her cows

Samantha Beaty

UTCVM alum (’01) protects Tennessee animals as the state veterinarian and assistant commissioner for animal health