For 18 years, Jacek Koziel, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering professor, has been bringing groundbreaking research and his energetic character to the ABE community. Now, Koziel is moving on to the next adventure – retiring from ABE, and beginning his journey as a Research Leader of the Livestock Nutrient Management Research unit for the United States Department of Agriculture in the USDA-ARS Conservation & Production Research Lab.
The research unit is based in Bushland, Texas. Their team conducts livestock-related studies, creating more efficient strategies and reducing adverse side effects, like odor or greenhouse gas emissions. Throughout Koziel’s time at Iowa State, studying how to reduce odor for areas with high livestock populations was a big part of his research, including one of his most recent studies on ultraviolet light and odor transformation.
After over a decade in the department, Koziel had built relationships with most people in the ABE community. And along with the relationships and knowledge he gained, some moments taught him lessons that he will never forget. One of Koziel’s biggest takeaways is humility, he says.
“Humility in action rules,” Koziel said. “In ABE there was a healthy dose of humility to be had, and that helped me to become a better person.”
Koziel officially retires from ABE on Friday, June 3, 2022. After starting his new position, Koziel can be reached at jacek.koziel@usda.gov.