Jon Faubion
Kansas State University
Member for 34 years
Q: What is your current position and what type of work do you do?
A: I am a professor of cereal science in the Department of Grain Science & Industry at Kansas State University. I’m JYB (just your basic) academic—I teach, direct graduate students, and write.
Q: When and how did you first decide you wanted to work in cereal grain science?
A: It’s a long story, so I’ll apologize for it up front. I was about to finish a Ph.D. degree in developmental biology when I had a change of heart and went on a search for a degree that would allow me to do interesting science, hopefully to teach, and that had employment possibilities. As luck would have it, I had gone to high school with Dr. Bill Hoover’s son, Mike, so I knew Dr. Hoover. I made an appointment to talk with him, and my interest was kindled. He introduced me to Carl Hoseney and Paul Seib, and I was completely hooked. Carl kindly took me on as a doctoral student, and I haven’t regretted my decision once in approximately 38 years. (I told you it was a long story.)
Q: When did you first join AACCI and why?
A: I joined AACCI as a graduate student, at Carl’s strong suggestion. He stressed the opportunities for networking, authorship, technical education, and volunteering (giving back).
Q: Why did you decide to volunteer with AACCI? How did you get involved, and what has been rewarding about this experience?
A: My first job after graduate school was as a member of the Texas A&M faculty, working with Lloyd Rooney. Lloyd was all about the value of volunteering and was active with AACCI. I followed his example, made my interest known to Ray Tarleton, a truly amazing person, and he introduced me to committee chairs, etc., etc. Over the years, I have been fortunate to be able to do a fair bit of volunteer service for AACCI—this gig as CFW editor-in-chief is an example. Volunteering with AACCI has given me the opportunity to use my modest talents for an exceedingly good cause and to work with a tremendous group of people. What’s not rewarding about that?
Q: This issue of CFW explores current opportunities and challenges in analytical practices. Have you had any experiences with these themes, and how are they affecting your work?
A: During the time I was on the AACCI headquarters staff, my responsibilities included oversight of the Check Sample Program and the Technical Committee, including the Approved Methods Committee. A significant part of those responsibilities involved analytical methods, their use, validation, etc.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: To be honest, what’s next is retirement. That will happen at the end of this year. It is time to give some other young scientist the opportunity to have the wonderful career I have enjoyed. That said, I plan on staying active in AACCI as long as AACCI is interested in having me.
