Chico is located in the Sacramento Valley near the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, about 180 miles northeast of the San Francisco Bay Area. Such proximity to major cities has attracted many students interested in veterinary medicine to the animal science major at California State University, Chico.
Michael Chao, PhD, an assistant professor in meat science, was hired in 2015 with the goal to help students who are no longer in the pre-vet path to find a career in the meat and food industry. Professor Chao currently teaches three meat science classes, including Principles of Meat Science, Meat and the Consumer, and Food Sanitation and Quality Assurance. He also coordinates internships at the Meats Lab and coaches student teams to compete in meat science quiz bowl and product development competitions.