��ӽ紫ý professor, Miss. Chemical Lab director completes APLU Food Systems Leadership Institute

Ashli Brown-Johnson speaks from the stage podium. — Ashli Brown Johnson, an associate professor in ��ӽ紫ý’s Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, is among the newest fellows of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ Food Systems Leadership Institute. She also serves as director of the Mississippi ��ӽ紫ý Chemical Laboratory. (Photo by Logan Kirkland)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—A Mississippi ��ӽ紫ý University faculty member and director of the Mississippi ��ӽ紫ý Chemical Laboratory is among the newest fellows of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ Food Systems Leadership Institute.

Ashli Brown Johnson, associate professor in ��ӽ紫ý’s Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, recently completed the two-year leadership program. The 26 new Food Systems Leadership Institute Fellows were recognized at APLU’s annual meeting in November. The institute aims to enhance personal leadership ability, develop skills and knowledge for organizational change, and broaden perspectives on integrated food systems.

“I am incredibly grateful to the ��ӽ紫ý administration for sponsoring me to take part in such a remarkable leadership program,” Brown Johnson said. “I have learned so much about my own abilities and skills and have gained an appreciation for the complex challenges facing institutions of higher education. I know this experience has made me a better leader.”

As the ��ӽ紫ý Chemist for Mississippi, Brown manages the Mississippi ��ӽ紫ý Chemical Laboratory, a state agency housed at ��ӽ紫ý. The lab works in cooperation with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce to develop regulations for and conduct analysis of animal feeds, fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural limes and petroleum products sold in Mississippi. The lab assures the quality of retail foods, fuels, livestock feeds, crop protection products and more.

An ��ӽ紫ý faculty member since 2006, Brown Johnson is a two-time graduate of the University of South Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology and a doctorate in biochemistry.

The Food Systems Leadership Institute was created with financial support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and is operated in a partnership between North Carolina ��ӽ紫ý University, Ohio ��ӽ紫ý University, and California Polytechnic ��ӽ紫ý University, San Luis Obispo. More information on the program is available at .

��ӽ紫ý is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at .

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