{"id":7,"date":"2019-10-22T15:14:35","date_gmt":"2019-10-22T15:14:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/dept\/?page_id=7"},"modified":"2025-04-30T10:52:09","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T14:52:09","slug":"department-of-utia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/","title":{"rendered":"Outstanding in Their Field"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Faculty<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-posts-id-7_3a6b29-ac .kb-post-list-item{display:grid;}<\/style><ul class=\"wp-block-kadence-posts kb-posts kadence-posts-list kb-posts-id-7_3a6b29-ac content-wrap grid-cols kb-posts-style-boxed grid-sm-col-2 grid-lg-col-3 item-image-style-above\"><li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-2112 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-extension category-faculty category-family-and-consumer-sciences\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/christopher-sneed\/\" aria-label=\"Christopher Sneed\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/182A7575-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Chris Sneed stands outdoors in front of a brick building with green foliage in the background.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/182A7575-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/182A7575-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/182A7575-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/182A7575-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/182A7575-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/christopher-sneed\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Christopher Sneed<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Family and Consumer Sciences associate professor and consumer economics specialist delivers educational programs that help individuals and families build strong financial skills<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-2064 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-agresearch category-biosystems-engineering-and-soil-science category-faculty category-herbert-college-of-agriculture\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/chetan-badgujar\/\" aria-label=\"Chetan Badgujar\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/FN7A7252-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Chetan Badgujar standing in a workshop-like setting. There are chalkboards in the background with writing and equipment visible in the room.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/FN7A7252-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/FN7A7252-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/FN7A7252-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/FN7A7252-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/FN7A7252-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/chetan-badgujar\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Chetan Badgujar<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Biosystems engineering and soil science assistant professor advances agricultural innovation through robotics and automation<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1899 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-biosystems-engineering-and-soil-science category-faculty category-herbert-college-of-agriculture\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/angela-smith\/\" aria-label=\"Angela Smith\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A6147-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Angela Smith smiling in front of an orange garage door. She wears a white shirt featuring the words &quot;BESS is Best.&quot;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A6147-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A6147-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A6147-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A6147-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A6147-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/angela-smith\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Angela Smith<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Construction Science and Management senior lecturer prepares students for success through hands-on teaching and real-world industry insight<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div id=block_9b8d93531da4e5e346d3925f2111ef43 class=\"utia-button  \"><a  style=\"border-color: #ff8300\" class=\"utia-button-link utia-button\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/faculty-spotlights\/\">More Faculty Spotlights<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Staff<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-posts-id-7_3efc1a-a2 .kb-post-list-item{display:grid;}<\/style><ul class=\"wp-block-kadence-posts kb-posts kadence-posts-list kb-posts-id-7_3efc1a-a2 content-wrap grid-cols kb-posts-style-boxed grid-sm-col-2 grid-lg-col-3 item-image-style-above\"><li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-2156 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-extension category-staff\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/david-bilderback\/\" aria-label=\"David Bilderback\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/08\/20260804_UTIAPromotions025-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"David Bilderback smiles for a photo with trees and greenery in the background.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/08\/20260804_UTIAPromotions025-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/08\/20260804_UTIAPromotions025-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/08\/20260804_UTIAPromotions025-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/08\/20260804_UTIAPromotions025-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/08\/20260804_UTIAPromotions025-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/david-bilderback\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">David Bilderback<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>UT Extension Farm Management Specialist helps farm families strengthen their financial decision-making and build more resilient operations<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-2087 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-herbert-college-of-agriculture category-staff\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/ally-lay\/\" aria-label=\"Ally Lay\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/FN7A7204-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Portrait of Ally Lay standing in front of a brick building.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/FN7A7204-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/FN7A7204-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/FN7A7204-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/FN7A7204-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/07\/FN7A7204-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/ally-lay\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Ally Lay<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Senior academic advisor at Herbert empowers students to navigate their academic journeys and achieve their goals<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-2006 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-agresearch category-middle-tennessee-agresearch-and-education-center-at-lewisburg category-middle-tennessee-agresearch-and-education-center-at-spring-hill category-staff\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/kevin-thompson\/\" aria-label=\"Kevin Thompson\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/06\/20250729_SpringHillPrecisionAgCattle_RL32-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Kevin Thompson wearing a cowboy hat and a vest is riding a brown horse in a grassy field.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/06\/20250729_SpringHillPrecisionAgCattle_RL32-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/06\/20250729_SpringHillPrecisionAgCattle_RL32-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/06\/20250729_SpringHillPrecisionAgCattle_RL32-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/06\/20250729_SpringHillPrecisionAgCattle_RL32-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/06\/20250729_SpringHillPrecisionAgCattle_RL32-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/kevin-thompson\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Kevin Thompson<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Centers at Spring Hill and Lewisburg director facilitates impactful precision livestock research and data-driven innovation<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div id=block_96093644820d57f1902ab6859262d77a class=\"utia-button  \"><a  style=\"border-color: #ff8300\" class=\"utia-button-link utia-button\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/staff-spotlights\/\">More Staff Spotlights<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Students<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-posts-id-7_efdba9-d5 .kb-post-list-item{display:grid;}<\/style><ul class=\"wp-block-kadence-posts kb-posts kadence-posts-list kb-posts-id-7_efdba9-d5 content-wrap grid-cols kb-posts-style-boxed grid-sm-col-2 grid-lg-col-3 item-image-style-above\"><li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-2138 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-agricultural-leadership-education-and-communications category-herbert-college-of-agriculture category-student\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/skylar-baird\/\" aria-label=\"Skylar Baird\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/08\/IMG_8815-768x576.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Skylar Baird standing on a balcony overlooking the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with the Washington Monument in the background.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/08\/IMG_8815-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/08\/IMG_8815-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/08\/IMG_8815-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/08\/IMG_8815-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/08\/IMG_8815-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/skylar-baird\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Skylar Baird<\/a><\/h2>\t<div class=\"entry-meta entry-meta-divider-dot\">\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t<\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications student prepares to champion agriculture through policy, advocacy and strategic communication at Herbert<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1914 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-agresearch category-animal-science category-east-tennessee-agresearch-and-education-center category-herbert-college-of-agriculture category-student\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/mason-dunlap\/\" aria-label=\"Mason Dunlap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A1232-2-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Portrait of Mason Dunlap standing in a barn with rows of dairy cows visible on either side.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A1232-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A1232-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A1232-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A1232-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/04\/FN7A1232-2-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/mason-dunlap\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Mason Dunlap<\/a><\/h2>\t<div class=\"entry-meta entry-meta-divider-dot\">\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t<\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Animal science senior pursues a lifelong passion for veterinary medicine through hands-on learning and global service experiences<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1803 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-student category-ut-college-of-veterinary-medicine category-veterinary-medical-center\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/katherine-lopez\/\" aria-label=\"Katherine L\u00f3pez\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/03\/FN7A0321-2000x1200-2-768x461.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Katherine Lopez stands outside of a building labeled &quot;College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.&quot;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/03\/FN7A0321-2000x1200-2-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/03\/FN7A0321-2000x1200-2-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/03\/FN7A0321-2000x1200-2-1024x614.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/03\/FN7A0321-2000x1200-2-1536x922.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/03\/FN7A0321-2000x1200-2.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/katherine-lopez\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Katherine L\u00f3pez<\/a><\/h2>\t<div class=\"entry-meta entry-meta-divider-dot\">\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\t<\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Future veterinarian overcomes adversity to pursue her passion for animal welfare at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div id=block_e65d439a4d38c8356ae17ebc3f89a7ef class=\"utia-button  \"><a  style=\"border-color: #ff8300\" class=\"utia-button-link utia-button\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/student-spolights\/\">More Student Spotlights<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alumni<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"utia-accentbar\"><hr style=\"background-color:#ff8300\" align=\"left\" \/><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-posts-id-7_9c88d5-f8 .kb-post-list-item{display:grid;}<\/style><ul class=\"wp-block-kadence-posts kb-posts kadence-posts-list kb-posts-id-7_9c88d5-f8 content-wrap grid-cols kb-posts-style-boxed grid-sm-col-2 grid-lg-col-3 item-image-style-above\"><li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-2036 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-alumni category-animal-science category-herbert-college-of-agriculture\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/haley-williamson\/\" aria-label=\"Haley Williamson\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/06\/Haley-Williamson-Cover-Photo-768x576.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Haley Williamson in a green top smiles at the camera. Green trees are in the background.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/06\/Haley-Williamson-Cover-Photo-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/06\/Haley-Williamson-Cover-Photo-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/06\/Haley-Williamson-Cover-Photo-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/06\/Haley-Williamson-Cover-Photo-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/06\/Haley-Williamson-Cover-Photo-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/haley-williamson\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Haley Williamson<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Animal science alumna (\u201920) champions species conservation through wildlife education and outreach<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1980 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-alumni category-food-science category-herbert-college-of-agriculture\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/craig-bacon\/\" aria-label=\"Craig Bacon\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/05\/FN7A5374-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Craig Bacon smiles while wearing a UT Knoxville branded jacket and standing outside Morgan Hall.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/05\/FN7A5374-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/05\/FN7A5374-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/05\/FN7A5374-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/05\/FN7A5374-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/05\/FN7A5374-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/craig-bacon\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Craig Bacon<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Food science alumnus (&#8217;87, &#8217;90) earns Meat Industry Hall of Fame honors after decades of industry leadership<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kb-post-list-item\">\n\t<article class=\"entry content-bg loop-entry post-1729 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-alumni category-food-science category-herbert-college-of-agriculture\">\n\t\t\t\t<a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/rachel-smith\/\" aria-label=\"Rachel Smith\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"post-thumbnail-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Smith-768x512.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image\" alt=\"Rachel Smith\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Smith-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Smith-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Smith-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/264\/2026\/02\/Smith.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a><!-- .post-thumbnail -->\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t<h2 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/rachel-smith\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Rachel Smith<\/a><\/h2><\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n\t\t<p>Food science alumna (BS \u201816) drives product innovation and flavor development at Newly Weds Foods<\/p>\n\t<\/div><!-- .entry-summary -->\n\t<footer class=\"entry-footer\">\n\t<\/footer><!-- .entry-footer -->\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/article>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div id=block_3dc427a273fb68f673cd7d3bee313de1 class=\"utia-button  \"><a  style=\"border-color: #ff8300\" class=\"utia-button-link utia-button\" href=\"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/alumni-spotlights\/\">More Alumni Spotlights<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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,\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":195,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/195"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}