by Karlie Gerlach | IANR Communications
Lincoln, Neb. —The University of Nebraska- Lincoln’s Azzeddine Azzam, professor of Agricultural Economics, has been reappointed as the Roy Frederick Professor of Agricultural Economics.
The Roy Frederick Professor of Agricultural Economics is a professorship that honors the work of Roy Frederick, an Emeritus Professor of Agricultural Economics at the university.
“It’s an honor to be associated with Professor Frederick through this professorship because I always viewed him as a leader when it comes to policy, particularly here within the state,” says Azzam.
Azzam received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Wisconsin in Agricultural Economics. He then traveled to Nebraska where he would receive his doctoral degree and further increase his knowledge of agricultural economics at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln.
Azzam began his career at UNL as an assistant professor in 1987. He then became an associate professor in 1991 and a professor in 1996. He was first appointed as the Roy and Judith Frederick Professor in 2019. Azzam is engaged in both research and teaching.
Throughout his career, Azzam’s research focus has been on the cattle industry and its role in the food supply chain, with particular attention being given to the challenges that the industry faces with competition in the meat packing industry. The dynamic nature of this industry has required him to be responsive to current events. For example, as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the world in 2020, he shifted his research to focus on the issue farmers were facing with finding outlets for their cattle as larger meat packing plants shut down and small local plants were overwhelmed with business.
Along with his research, Azzam teaches three courses at the university. One of the three courses is specific to teaching students about the process of research. The course dives into how to write a research proposal and find a problem that needs to be solved.
Azzam was awarded the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award in 1999 and 2022. With this honor, he spent time in Sweden with colleagues and was able to compare American and Swedish perspectives of the agriculture industry. These perspectives were beneficial to his research and his own understanding of agriculture.
Among all of the success Azzam has had in his career, he is looking forward to taking time to dig deeper and find a new challenge in his research. The Roy Frederick Professorship will help Azzam continue his research and find that new challenge he is looking for.