The University of Idaho is getting a new associate dean of academics for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Matt Doumit, who joined the CALS team in 2008, will succeed Larry Makus, who retired Dec. 31. Doumit moves into the position July 31.

In announcing Doumit's new position, CALS Dean Michael Parella said he is excited about Doumit joining the CALS team. "We are welcoming a strong and committed teacher to the leadership team in CALS. Dr. Doumit is tasked with increasing the number of undergraduates and graduate students in the college, increasing the retention rate of students, and improving the overall student experience in CALS and at the University of Idaho. There is no question that he is up for the job.”

Doumit attended Washington State University for his undergrad degree in animal science. His interest in livestock started as a boy on his family's cattle ranch near Cathlamet, Wash. His interest in research began as a junior at WSU, when he began helping with animal growth projects.

As a senior at WSU, he was offered a graduate assistantship at South Dakota State University to study muscle development. That led to a doctoral program at Michigan State University, and a postdoctoral position at the USDA Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center, Neb.

Michigan State offered him a joint faculty position in the Department of Animal Science and the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition that became vacant with the retirement of his mentor, Robert Merkel. Doumit spent 12 years on the faculty at Michigan State. He then joined the CALS faculty in 2008, with his job split equally between teaching and research.

Doumit served the UI Animal and Veterinary Science Department as acting head for five months until early 2014, then as co-interim department head with dairy scientist Amin Ahmadzadeh since October 2015.

Doumit’s research ranged from livestock growth to meat quality improvement. Most recently, his work has focused on improving beef shelf life and palatability. Doumit credits the Idaho Beef Council for being a strong supporter of his research since coming to UI.

Source: University of Idaho