Carmen Moraru Named Senior Associate Dean at Cornell CALS

Food Science Expert Carmen Moraru Assumes Dean Position

• Bonnie Johnson
• August 10, 2026
• Media Article

Cornell University has appointed food science professor Carmen Moraru as senior associate dean of CALS, bringing more than two decades of academic leadership, research expertise, and innovation in food science to the role.

---

Cornell University has appointed Carmen Moraru, the Yongkeun Joh Professor of Food Science, as senior associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), effective Aug. 15. She succeeds Corrie Moreau, who has joined the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
 

Moraru brings more than 20 years of experience at Cornell and a strong background in research, teaching, and academic leadership. During her tenure as chair of the Department of Food Science, she helped expand the department while supporting excellence in education and research.
 

In her new role, Moraru will help oversee academic and administrative operations within CALS, one of Cornell’s largest colleges. The college includes 14 academic departments, three schools, more than 4,000 undergraduate students, nearly 1,000 graduate students, and significant research activity.
 

Since joining Cornell in 2003, Moraru has held several leadership positions, including chair of the Department of Food Science, interim director of the Northeast Dairy Foods Research Center, and faculty director of Global Cornell’s Scholars Under Threat program. She has also served in leadership roles with the Institute of Food Technologists and the American Dairy Science Association.
 

Her research focuses on improving food processing technologies to enhance food safety, quality, and shelf life. She has contributed to the development of value-added food products from agricultural resources and innovative methods for reducing microbes in milk and fruit juices while maintaining nutritional value.
 

Originally from Romania, Moraru earned her bachelor’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Galati. She began her academic career there more than three decades ago before joining Cornell.
 

Moraru succeeds Corrie Moreau, a recognized entomologist and biodiversity researcher. In her new position at the American Museum of Natural History, Moreau will oversee scientific collections, mentor graduate students, and continue her research activities.
 

Photo Credit: Krisy Gashler