About Us

Joseph A. O'Donnell, Ph.D.
Executive Director

As executive director of the California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF), Dr. Joseph A. O'Donnell leads a non-profit corporation that manages the research investments of the California dairy industry in areas of basic and applied dairy product research, nutrition, dairy herd health, food safety, and quality assurance.

Founded in 1988, the CDRF is the first and only regional, industry-operated organization that manages research projects. Dr. O'Donnell joined CDRF in 1990 as its first executive director after serving as the director of science and technology for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. He became involved with the dairy industry in 1983 as vice president of product research for the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA). During his tenure at UDIA, Dr. O'Donnell was instrumental in developing and promoting the Dairy Food Research Centers program involving 10 land-grant universities and two agricultural universities.

Dr. O'Donnell's extensive research management background also includes positions as a group leader at Kraft, Inc. and associate staff nutritionist at Quaker Oats.

Dr. O'Donnell holds a B.S. degree in biochemistry from Benedictine University, a master's degree in biochemistry from Boston University, and a doctorate in nutrition from the University of California at Davis.

In addition to his CDRF duties, Dr. O'Donnell travels extensively to lecture on dairy issues throughout the world, has authored numerous articles and abstracts, and is a regular contributing writer to dairy industry publications. He is active in such professional organizations as the American Dairy Science Association, American Society for Nutritional Sciences, International Dairy Federation (IDF), and Institute of Food Technologists and recently was elected chair of the IDF Standing Committee on Nutrition and Health.

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