Dr. Maria R. C. de Godoy has been recently promoted to Associate Professor and was selected to be a recipient of the 2021 Campus Distinguished Promotion Award at the University of Illinois. The focus of her research program is on companion animal and comparative nutrition with 3 main overarching goals: 1. analytical methods and animal models for evaluation of nutritional adequacy of novel ingredients; 2. the effects of processing on pet food quality, nutritional value, and safety; and 3. the role of nutraceuticals in health and wellness of pets. Dr. Godoy has an internationally recognized program highlighted by near $ 6.5 million in extramural funding, internal grants, and donations to support research, 35 invited lectures nationally and internationally, and more than 60 peer-reviewed publications. She has an outstanding teaching record and has been consistently named to the Univ. of IL “List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students”. In 2020, she was the recipient of the Corbin Award in Companion Animal Biology, National Award American Society of Animal Science and this year also received the Paul A. Funk Award, College of ACES, Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Godoy’s academic program showcases her innovative approach to science that further advances the pet food industry and the nutritional sciences community.