Michael E. Dikeman; Born in the state of Kansas, USA. Received B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Kansas State University and M.S.degree from Michigan State University. Professor at Kansas State University from 1970 to present. He teaches courses ranging from beginning animal/meat science to graduate level. His research interests include effects of genetics and management systems for livestock production on carcass composition and meat quality. He has particular interests in postmortem technology to enhance meat quality, and in effects of meat cookery on tenderness. He received the Meats Research Award from the American Society of Animal Science. He served as President of the American Meat Science Association, and the Federation of American Societies of Food Animal Sciences.