Dr David Pethick grew up in the Adelaide Hills on a mixed farming enterprise. He has been called the ‘Laymans Professor’ due his ability to connect research with industry outcomes. Current responsibilities include Program Manager for Meat Science in the Sheep CRC (plus previously in the Beef CRC) plus additional managerial activities relating to eating quality R&D at Meat & Livestock Australia. Dave has been nationally and internationally recognised for his research and extension by several fellowships and prizes in recent years including ‘The International Meat Secretariat Millennium Prize for Meat Science and Technology’ and the ‘Australian Research Council Eureka prize for Excellence in Research by an interdisciplinary team’ both awarded to the Meat Standards Australia Pathways Team; ‘Howard WYelland Award’ awarded by the Beef Improvement Association in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Beef Industry and fellowships to the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology and the Australian Society of Animal Production.