Animal Sciences
Nov. 17, 2020
Jared Decker Receives Early Investigator Research Award as Part of 2020 Celebration of Excellence
Jared Decker, associate professor in the Division of Animal Sciences and state beef Extension specialist, received the Early Investigator Research Award during CAFNR’s 2020 virtual Celebration of Excellence awards celebration. Decker received his bachelor’s degree in animal science from New Mexico State University before earning his PhD in genetics from the University of Missouri in 2012. After earning his PhD, Decker served as a USDA-NIFA postdoctoral fellow at MU for a year before joining the faculty as an assistant professor in the Division of Animal Sciences. In 2018, Decker became an associate professor. He has served as the state beef…
Oct. 21, 2020
Matthew Lucy Serves as Editor-in-Chief of New Journal
The first issue of JDS Communications, a new journal from the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), is now available. Matthew Lucy, a professor in the Division of Animal Sciences, serves as the editor-in-chief of the new publication. “JDS Communications will offer a fresh and different publication option for dairy scientists,” Lucy said. “We are interested in high-quality research studies that are focused, hypothesis-driven and designed to answer a specific question on the production or processing of milk or milk products intended for human consumption.” Lucy added that the publication will serve as a home for short communications, technical notes…
Aug. 25, 2020
Chandra Boosani
Aug. 25, 2020
Kiho Lee
July 17, 2020
Sofia Ortega Named Zamorano AGEAP USA Alumni of the Month
Sofia Ortega, assistant professor of reproductive physiology in Animal Sciences, has recently been recognized as the AGEAP USA Alumni of the Month. Ortega’s interest in reproductive physiology began at Zamorano (Class of 2003), through her work in Honduras. She received her MS in Animal Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and she completed her PhD at the University of Florida in 2016 in Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology. Her CAFNR team utilizes a systems biology approach to optimize cattle fertility, using CRISPR knockouts to study preimplantation bovine embryo development. Ortega has published more than 17 peer-reviewed articles in…
July 7, 2020
Thomas Spencer Receives 2020 President’s Award for Sustained Career Excellence
Thomas Spencer, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences, received the 2020 President’s Award for Sustained Career Excellence from the UM System. This award recognizes faculty for distinguished career-long, sustained excellence in scholarship, research or creativity, for a period of 15 or more years. Spencer, who is also associate vice chancellor for research (emphasis in STEM disciplines), joined the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) in 2015, and was a signature hire as part of the Mizzou Advantage program. He is an internationally recognized and respected leader in the fields of reproductive and developmental biology.
June 15, 2020
Matthew Lucy Receives ADSA Award of Honor
The American Dairy Science Association® (ADSA®), the international organization of educators, scientists and industry representatives who are committed to advancing the dairy industry, recently announced the winners of professional and student awards for 2020. Matthew Lucy, professor in the Division of Animal Sciences, received the ADSA Award of Honor. The award recognizes unusually outstanding and consistent contributions to the welfare of the Association or distinguished service to the Association. The award is primarily for services to the American Dairy Science Association.
May 7, 2020
Karl Kerns Honored with Distinguished Dissertation Award
Karl Kerns, a postdoctoral fellow in animal sciences, has received the MU Distinguished Dissertation Award from the Graduate School as part of the Sixth Annual Graduate and Postdoctoral Award Ceremony. Kerns’ dissertation, “Zinc Ion Fluxes on the Pathway to Mammalian Sperm Fertilization Competency,” was supervised by Peter Sutovsky, professor of animal sciences. The research used a combination of new techniques to explain sperm zinc ion fluxes and develop a new sperm fertilization competency test. The test has been submitted for international patenting by the University of Missouri. The findings from Kerns’ dissertation have been published in the highly regarded Nature…
April 21, 2020
Tom Spencer Appointed to Position with Office of Research and Economic Development
Tom Spencer, Curators Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences, has accepted a part-time appointment as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Strategic Initiatives in the Biomedical and Agricultural Sciences. In this capacity, Spencer will work with the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, as well as the Provost, Deans and Center Directors, to shape and enhance the current research centers, develop strategies for new strategic centers of excellence in research and creative works, support the Research Core Facilities, coordinate among departments and colleges the recruitment of faculty in strategic research thrusts and plan and drive new strategic initiatives that will…
March 29, 2020
Bryon Wiegand Graduates from Lead21
Dr. Bryon Wiegand, associate director and professor of animal sciences, graduated Feb. 20 from Class 15 of the LEAD21 leadership-development program. The primary purpose of LEAD21 is to develop leaders in land-grant institutions and their strategic partners who link research, academics and extension who canto lead more effectively in an increasingly complex environment, either in their current positions or future leadership positions.