Stephanie Clark

Honored by: The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition

Dr. Stephanie Clark's deep passion for dairy is rooted in her early interest of dairy goats from her family farm in Massachusetts. Her fascination of milk and cheese, as well as her love for teaching others, has led her to build a remarkable career. Dr. Clark earned her Ph. D. in Food Science from Cornell University and taught at Washington State University as an Associate Professor, before making her way to Iowa State in 2009. In 2016, Dr. Clark was promoted to Full Professor and was awarded the Virginia M. Gladney endowed professorship. Today, she is internationally known for her expertise in dairy foods processing, safety, and quality.

Dr. Clark teaches courses in dairy products, scientific communication, and sensory evaluation of foods. She serves as a research advisor for undergraduate, M.S., and Ph.D. students, as well as conducts research on the chemistry of dairy products, microbiology, processing and sensory evaluation. Dr. Clark has been a leader at ISU in outcomes assessment and is dedicated to a high quality learning experience for her students. Her efforts in evaluation/judging of dairy products with student groups and professionally is incredible.

She also serves as the Associate Director of the Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center and is an active member of both the American Dairy Science Association and the Institute of Food Technologists. Dr. Clark’s expertise in Dairy Science and safety of dairy products has been crucial for Iowa and the world. She has published almost 100 (92) peer-reviewed primary journal papers, 22 book chapters, and just this year edited the 3rd edition of the textbook, “The Sensory Evaluation of Dairy Products.”

Among her accomplishments, Dr. Clark reinstated Iowa State's creamery in 2020 after the creamery was out of service for 51 years. The ISU Creamery is visited by thousands each year, with patrons who also make special stops during their travels in Iowa.

Last, but not least, Dr. Clark has been a mentor and helpful colleague to so many of us in FSHN.

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition is proud to honor Dr. Stephanie Clark's strides in the field of food science, as well as her lasting impacts on the department and her students.