In this episode of Wheat’s On Your Mind, host Aaron Harries welcomes Dr. Joseph Awika, a globally respected food scientist and the new department head of Grain Science and Industry at Kansas State University. From his early days in Kenya to directing cutting-edge research in Texas and now Kansas, Dr. Awika brings a unique perspective to advancing grain science. He shares how his work focuses on making grain-based foods healthier, why polyphenols are important, and what the upcoming Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation will mean for students, the industry, and the future of food.
Listeners will also learn about the challenges of recruiting students into agricultural science, the merging of food science with grain science, and why industry collaboration is central to K-State’s future strategy. It’s an inspiring look into how one leader is reshaping an entire academic field from the ground up—literally.
