My name is Kayla Simmons, and I am a recent graduate of Auburn University where I studied Animal Sciences - Muscle Foods.  Coming from a family with both parents actively serving in the US Air Force, I moved around a lot growing up.  The frequent moves, including a two-and-a-half year stay in Germany, allowed me to experience many different cultures.  I quickly fell in love with the adventure of travel, but my favorite part was the food.  

Throughout my high school years, I began trying to recreate different recipes I had tasted while living in Europe.  When it came time to deciding where to attend college and what to study, everybody immediately thought culinary school was the answer.  However, I did not want to risk losing my passion for cooking by turning it into a career.  Instead, I went with another field I enjoyed and was good at - science.

 

I started at Auburn in the fall of 2011 intending to study pre-pharmacy, which turned into studying pre-veterinary medicine.  While enrolled in an elective for the pre-veterinary curriculum, I discovered that my passion for food and my interest in science could be combined. After one semester in the Muscle Foods course, I spoke with the professor that piqued my interest, and switched into the major I believe I was meant to be in from the start.

 

Through my experiences in life and at Auburn, and with the knowledge I've gained in just these few short semesters in the muscle foods curriculum, I have developed the skills and assets needed to become a successful meat scientist.  Upon graduation I hope to join a workplace where I will work hand in hand with fellow meat scientists to gain real-world experience in my field, and hopefully combine my love of food and science to develop innovative meat products.

 

Please check out my activities and academics pages to read more about the experiences that furthered my interest in the muscle foods field.