KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY - Key Persons

Dr. Kevin R. Roberts is a professor in the Department of Hospitality Management at Kansas State University and directs the undergraduate program in hospitality management. He has 12 years of restaurant experience. Roberts teaches in the areas of foodservice management and hospitality law. He has been recognized for his outstanding teaching and has received the Kansas State University Presidential Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and the College of Human Ecology Myers-Alford Outstanding Teaching Award. Roberts' research interests are related to the application of food safety principles in the commercial setting. His current research focuses on behavior change of employees once food safety training has taken place. He is interested in developing alternative food safety training programs that not only target knowledge, but the antecedents of behavioral intention. Roberts serves as co-director of the Center for Food Safety in Child Nutrition Programs, is a member of the research committee of the School Nutrition Association and has completed several projects with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

Dr. Kevin Sauer

Job Titles:

Professor
Professor and Co - Director
Registered Dietitian

Dr. Kevin Sauer is a registered dietitian and a professor in the Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics, and Health. His industry experience includes healthcare food and nutrition services, child nutrition and school programs, college/university dining and corporate foodservice. He blends his diverse background into both the classroom and research projects. Sauer is a co-director for the Center for Food Safety in Child Nutrition Programs. As an educator, Sauer has been awarded for innovative and outstanding teaching methods, specifically in foodservice and management courses, including distance and campus-based course delivery. Sauer also coordinates 600 hours of supervised practice across Kansas for senior-level students admitted to the coordinated program in dietetics. Sauer's research interests include HACCP, food safety, the career paths and job satisfaction of management dietitians, and technology in dietetics practice.

Dr. Paola Paez

Job Titles:

Research Associate Professor

Dr. Paola Paez came to Kansas State University from the University of Costa Rica, where she was an associate professor in the School of Human Nutrition, College of Medicine. Dr. Paez received her doctorate from Iowa State University in foodservice and lodging management. Her research focuses on training and motivating foodservice employees to follow safe food handling practices. She has published in the Journal of Food Protection, Food Protection Trends, the Journal of Child Nutrition and Management, the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management and other academic journals. She is a member of the School Nutrition Association, the Foodservice Management Education Council and the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education.