By Blake Jackson
Carmen Moraru, the Yongkeun Joh Professor of Food Science, has been named the new senior associate dean for Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), effective August 15, 2026.
Moraru succeeds Corrie Moreau, who recently accepted a leadership position at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
“Carmen has distinguished herself as an exceptional scientist, teacher and academic leader. As chair of the Department of Food Science for two terms, she led the department through a period of growth while fostering excellence in research, teaching and collaboration,” said Benjamin Houlton, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of CALS.
“Carmen has devoted her career to advancing the science and practice of food processing while remaining deeply committed to student mentorship and education.”
As one of Cornell’s largest colleges, CALS includes 14 departments, three schools, and more than 20 research centers and institutes. The college also supports international collaborations in over 61 countries while advancing New York’s land-grant mission through Cornell Cooperative Extension.
“I am honored to take on this role in CALS, my academic home for more than two decades,” Moraru said.
“Our college is a remarkable place for creating knowledge and advancing food, agriculture and life sciences, and our strength stems from the excellence and dedication of its faculty, staff and students. I am excited to join the team shaping its next chapter alongside our exceptional CALS community.”
Since joining Cornell in 2003, Moraru has served in several leadership roles, including chair of the Department of Food Science, interim director of the Northeast Dairy Foods Research Center, and the inaugural faculty director of Global Cornell’s Scholars Under Threat program.
Moraru research has focused on improving food processing methods to enhance food safety, product quality, and shelf life while creating greater value from agricultural products.
Moraru succeeds Corrie Moreau, a respected entomologist and former senior associate dean, who will oversee the American Museum of Natural History’s extensive scientific collections while continuing her research and mentoring graduate students.
“Corrie has made substantial contributions to the college’s research, teaching and public engagement since joining the faculty, including through her college leadership and her internationally recognized scholarship and leadership in biodiversity science,” Houlton said.
“While we will miss her, I am proud to see her take on this prestigious leadership opportunity and wish her every success in this next chapter.”
Photo Credit: college-of-agriculture-and-life-sciences
Categories: New York, Education