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Jason Scheffler

Associate Professor, Meat Science and Food Safety
Jason Scheffler wearing a maroon polo shirt smiling at the camera in front of a Hokie Stone building in the Ag Quad at Virginia Tech.
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Location:

School of Animal Sciences
3430 Litton-Reaves Hall
175 West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
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Contact:

jmscheff@vt.edu
540-231-4336

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Jason Scheffler has an extension, teaching, and research program primarily focused on meat science and food safety. His current extension responsibilities include coordinating Hazard Analysis and Critical Controls and Preventive Controls (HACCP) and Preventive Controls Animal Food training programs. He teaches Introduction to Animal Sciences and Contemporary Issues in Animal Sciences. His research program is focused on assisting stakeholders by providing validation data to support science-based decisions in the design and implementation of food safety plans.

Research in food safety, primarily focusing on validation of meat processing methods to control food borne hazards to support facility HACCP plans.

Current efforts include defining sous vide parameters for effective risk management for home and food service use, validating pathogen control during production of dried meat products, and evaluating potential for bioaerosol transmission of pathogens in livestock operations.

Course Instructor

  • APSC 4004 Contemporary Issues in the Animal Sciences (VT, 2026-present)
  • ANS 3006 Introduction to Animal Science (UF, 2015-2025)  
  • ANS 3006 Introduction to Animal Science-Online (UF, 2016-2026)       
  • ANS 4932/ANS 6905 HACCP Systems (UF, 2016-2025)
  • ANS 4931 Senior Seminar (UF, 2020-2025)
  • APSC 3254 Animal Products (VT, 2011-2012)

  • Associate Professor, Virginia Tech
    January 2026-present
  • Associate Professor & Undergraduate Coordinator, University of Florida
    July 2024-Dec 2025
    Associate Department Head, Jan 2025-Dec 2025
  • Assistant Professor, University of Florida
    Jan 2016-June 2024
  • Research Assistant Professor, University of Florida
    Aug 2014-Dec 2015
  • Research Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech
    Aug 2008-July 2014
  • Post-Doctoral Researcher, Purdue University
    Jan 2007-July 2008

  • Undergraduate Teacher of the Year, 2023-2024. “For Demonstrated Excellence, Innovation, and Effectiveness in Teaching”. University of Florida, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
  • Distinguished Teaching Award, 2022. American Association for Animal Science
  • Outstanding Teaching Award, 2020.UF Block and Bridle
  • Outstanding Teaching Award, 2018.UF Block and Bridle
  • Sanitarian of the Year, 2018. “For Dedication to food safety in Florida which demonstrates the highest level of proficiency in protecting the consuming public in industry, government and academia.” Florida Association for Food Protection

  • Ph.D. -  Animal Science – Muscle Growth and Development|
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln, May 2007
  • M.S. -  Animal Science – Growth Biology and Meat Science
    Michigan State University,  Aug 2002
  • B.S. - Agriculture, Food & Environmental Science
    University of Wisconsin-River Falls
    Biotechnology Major. Biology, Chemistry, and Food Science Minors, May 2000

Book Chapters

  • Fortin ND, CC Carr, and JM Scheffler.  2021. Foodborne Infections and Intoxications (5th Edition). HACCP and other regulatory approaches to prevention of foodborne diseases.  Academic Press. Cambridge, MA.  545-561. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819519-2.00006-2
  • Scheffler JM, D.E. Gerrard, S. Kuang, and A.L. Grant. 2008. Achievements of research in the field of animal growth and development. In: A. Rosati, A. Tewolde and C. Mosconi (eds.) Animal production and animal science worldwide WAAP book of the year. No. 4. p 67-76. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
View Dr. Jason Scheffler's publications via Google Scholar

     PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
  • American Society of Animal Science
  • American Meat Science Association
  • North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture
  • International Congress of Meat Science and Technology
  • American Physiology Society
  • International Association for Food Protection
  • Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance
  • Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education
     INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
  • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, March 2018-present
  • Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Aug 2014-Dec 2025
  • Southeastern Meat Association, June 2016-Dec 2025
  • Florida Association for Food Protection, Aug 2016-Dec 2025
    Board of Directors, Jan 2018-Dec 2025