Dr. Meredith Niles, Professor of Nutrition and Food Sciences, has been awarded the Bickford Endowed Professorship in Nutrition and Food Sciences. The first endowed professorship in CALS, the Bickford was previously held by emeriti professors Rachel Johnson and Jean Harvey.
"I am so pleased that Meredith received this professorship,” said Dr. Leslie Parise, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “It is a testament to her outstanding scholarship, impact and recognition both at ̽̽ and nationally.”
Niles’ research focuses on two areas of interest: sustainable food production and food security during crises. She works with farmers to understand why they adopt sustainable practices and has examined farmers’ adoption of climate adaptation and mitigation practices, water management, nitrogen and manure management, and cover crops. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she spearheaded the (NFACT), a multi-state research effort examining food insecurity across the U.S.
Niles teaches in the Nutrition and Food Sciences and the Food Systems departments and is a mentor to many students. comprises a diverse group of graduate, undergraduate, and postdoctoral researchers from various disciplines, all focused on food, environment, and health issues.
Previously, Niles served as the Associate Director of the Food Systems Research Center at ̽̽, a joint multi-million-dollar effort with the USDA Agricultural Research Service focused on local and regional food systems. Prior to her academic career, Meredith worked for the United States Department of State in HIV/AIDS public health and for several food and environmental non-profit organizations.
An independent review committee described Meredith as “an exceptional and nationally recognized scholar with an impressive research portfolio characterized by its breath, rigor, collaborative nature, productivity, and impact.”
The Bickford Endowed Professorship is named in honor of Robert L. Bickford, Jr., a 1943 CALS graduate and former chair of both the ̽̽ Board of Trustees and the Board of Advisors for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Bickford and his wife, Oletha Bickford, established the Bickford Endowed Professorship through their estate plans. Following her husband’s death in January 2007, Oletha Bickford arranged to inaugurate the professorship in conjunction with the college’s centennial observance on May 14, 2011. This professorship was previously held by Jean Harvey, Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences and former CALS Associate Dean.