Karen Blakeslee is coordinator of the Rapid Response Center, an Extension Agent resource for Food Science.  The Rapid Response Center was formed in 1995 as a resource for Kansas State University Research & Extension Agents. Resource topics included Food Science, Human Nutrition, Food Service, Textiles, Home Care and other consumer topics. Since that time, the Center has grown to be of valuable assistance to Kansas State University Extension Specialists in those areas, primarily in food science. The proven success of the Center helped to start a similar position in the Kansas State University Horticulture Department.

Karen's background includes working in ice cream manufacturing and in cereal and pasta manufacturing for almost 12 years.  Karen is a native of Great Bend, Kansas.