Brown named associate VP of 91�鶹��’s Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine

Studio portrait of Ashli Brown — Ashli Brown (Photo by Beth Wynn)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Ashli Brown has been named associate vice president of 91�鶹�� University’s Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.

Brown will begin July 16 in her new role, helping to advance 91�鶹��’s national reputation as a leader in agriculture and natural resource teaching, research and service. The National Science Foundation ranks 91�鶹�� in the Top 5 percent nationally for agricultural research.

Brown has served since 2013 as Mississippi’s State Chemist and since January 2021 as interim head of 91�鶹��’s Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion. She also serves as a professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology.

Much of Brown’s research focuses on the use of analytical techniques to improve conservation efforts, food safety and regulatory science. While at 91�鶹��, she has obtained over $10 million in funding from federal, state and industry sources to develop and support a research group, as well as help fund the mission of the 91�鶹�� Chemical Laboratory.

Keith Coble, vice president for the university’s Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, said Brown is respected as an “exceptional scientist who works well with people at the university and with our clientele.”

“I believe Dr. Brown is a leader who can help guide the division to greater success and service in coming years,” said Coble, a William L. Giles Distinguished Professor.

DAFVM units include the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Forest Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Forest and Wildlife Research Center, and the 91�鶹�� Extension Service. These six units function on the university’s main campus and through four research and extension centers, 16 branch stations and locations, in addition to 91�鶹�� Extension offices in all 82 counties of Mississippi.

Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and Ph.D. in chemistry/biochemistry from the University of South Florida, where she completed postdoctoral work in biochemistry. She also completed postdoctoral work in chemistry/entomology at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service location in Stoneville.

Darrell Sparks will serve as Interim State Chemist and director of the 91�鶹�� Chemical Laboratory, pending confirmation from the Mississippi Senate and following Brown’s move into the associate vice president role. Sparks currently serves as Associate State Chemist and is an associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology.

For more on 91�鶹��’s Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, visit ; the 91�鶹�� Chemical Laboratory, .

91�鶹�� is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at .

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