Title: Food Safety Assistant Extension Educator
Company: University of Connecticut
Location: Vernon, Connecticut, United States
Indu Upadhyaya, PhD, DVM, food safety assistant extension educator at University of Connecticut, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in academia.
With nearly 15 years of experience, Dr. Upadhyaya has built a successful career in education and currently serves as a food safety assistant extension educator at the University of Connecticut since 2019. In this role, she delivers research-based food safety education and outreach, focusing on training stakeholders like produce farmers and poultry processors to meet FDA standards. She also conducts applied research, organizes workshops, provides HACCP training, and collaborates with agencies such as the FDA and USDA. Her previous roles include assistant professor at Tennessee Tech University from 2018 to 2019, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Arkansas from 2016 to 2018, and the University of Connecticut from 2015 to 2016. Dr. Upadhyaya serves as a state representative for the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network and is involved with professional associations, animal rescue, and organizations like UNICEF and the American Cancer Society. She has also contributed articles to professional journals.
In recognition of her accomplishments, Dr. Upadhyaya has received numerous accolades. These include the CAHNR Extension Doris Lane Award in 2024 and the National Association of 4-H Youth Development Professional Regional Award at the Northeast regional level for periodical publication with *Extension Express* in 2024. She earned the Association for Communication Excellence Silver Award in 2023 and received earlier honors like the Student Voice Travel Award from the National Agriculture Biotechnology Council in 2014. Her achievements also include multiple Graduate Research Excellence Awards, induction into Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society in 2014, and prestigious scholarships and presentation awards in food safety and microbiology from 2013 to 2014.
Dr. Upadhyaya laid a solid educational foundation, earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in 2008, a master’s degree in veterinary science with a focus on veterinary biochemistry from Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research in 2010, and a PhD in animal sciences specializing in food and poultry microbiology from the University of Connecticut in 2014. She attributes her success to unwavering perseverance, which helped her overcome numerous challenges. Passionate about food production, she takes pride in sustaining communities through her work in the agricultural sector. Looking to the future, she aims to take on leadership roles centered around sustainable food production to make cities and regions more self-sufficient and less dependent on external sources and sees potential for Connecticut to enhance its food production capabilities and foster sustainability. As a leader, she hopes to collaborate with lobbyists and stakeholders to promote these goals, with the ultimate goal of creating a future where sustainable food production is the norm, enabling thriving, self-reliant communities.
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