Name: Mike Miller
Institution: University of Illinois
Current role with ADSA: Director–Dairy Foods
- How long have you been involved with ADSA, and what compelled you to join the association?
As a post-doc with Dr. Todd Klaenhammer, I was first exposed to dairy microbiology and attended my first ADSA meeting soon after starting my faculty position at the University of Illinois. The first meeting I remember is the 2008 Joint Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. I have been a regular member of ADSA since 2008 and frequent attendee at the annual meetings.
- What do you enjoy most about being a board member?
First, as a Dairy Foods division member, I have enjoyed becoming friends with many successful Dairy Production division members. Prior to getting on the board, I didn’t have many personal connections to the production side but I have found this to be very enriching. Second, I have been passionate about JDS and its eventual transition to full open-access. I am very excited that this is happening. Lastly, as a regular attendee of the annual meetings, I have enjoyed participating in the continued excellence of our annual meeting despite the COVID challenges. I’m excited for the future as ADSA develops new strategies to maintain the excellent annual meeting despite the continued COVID challenges.
- Why is it important for the dairy science community to participate in the association?
Many Dairy Foods division members are also members of IFT (Institute of Food Technologists). After a few years of going to both annual meetings, I have decreased my involvement with IFT. In my experience, there are several advantages for a food scientist who works with dairy to join ADSA. First, the science presentations at the ADSA annual meeting are numerous and excellent. Second, all the major players in dairy foods will also be at the meeting, from both industry and academia. Third, it is a very welcoming meeting with plenty of opportunities to meet old friends and colleagues and to make new connections. Last, the Journal of Dairy Science is a prestigious journal with an excellent Impact Factor.
- What do you think is the most important resource that ADSA provides the scientific community?
I will say it is a tie between the Journal of Dairy Science and the annual meeting. Both of these are very important to me and my career.
- What strategic initiative of ADSA are you most passionate about and why?
Although ADSA is an international organization, we need to increase participation beyond our North American strengths. As JDS authorship demonstrates, dairy science is happening across the globe yet involvement in ADSA by our colleagues outside North America has significant room for growth.
- What is one pressing challenge for the future of the dairy industry and how is ADSA addressing that through its new strategic plan?
Accurate information is always key for any challenge. Moving JDS to open access so that excellent dairy research is freely available to everyone will undoubtedly help the dairy industry. As we get more global members, our impact and influence extend further as JDS and JDS Communications provide answers to dairy industry problems worldwide.