As an alum of the University of Missouri, Bryon Wiegand has worked at his alma mater since 2007, in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Division of Animal Sciences.

Wiegand first joined Mizzou as an associate professor and has served as a professor in the division since 2015, with assignments in teaching, research and Extension. He was named the associate division director in 2019 – and was recently tapped as the director of the Division of Animal Sciences. The new role is effective Saturday, May 15.

“As a Mizzou alum, I am humbled to have the opportunity to lead the Division of Animal Sciences,” said Wiegand, whose research expertise is meat science. “Our division is an incredible collection of world-renowned scientists, Kemper Teaching Fellows and some of the best Extension faculty ever assembled. This was my first academic home, and I look forward to providing the same type of opportunities afforded me to our faculty, students, staff and stakeholders.”

Wiegand earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from MU. He earned his master’s degree at Auburn University and his doctorate from Iowa State University, both in animal science.

Wiegand joined the faculty at Illinois State University in 2000 after finishing his doctorate, where he served as an assistant professor and an associate professor for a total of seven years.

During his time in academia, Wiegand has served on numerous committees and earned several honors and awards. He has given presentations at the state and national level. Wiegand is a member of the American Society of Animal Science, the American Meat Science Association and the American Association of Meat Processors.

Wiegand has earned more than $2.1 million in grants to fund research and authored more than 35 refereed journal articles. Wiegand has also published multiple book chapters, peer-reviewed abstracts and Extension publications. He has advised more than 30 graduate students since 2002.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Wiegand to our administrative team,” said CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert. “His excellence and expertise in teaching, advising, research and Extension have been evident throughout his MU career. Those leadership skills have been vital for the division, and they will continue to be in the director role.”

Wiegand follows Bill Lamberson as director of the Division of Animal Sciences. Lamberson is retiring this fall and will serve as an assistant dean of special projects until his retirement.

“We’re very thankful for Dr. Lamberson’s dedication to the Division of Animal Sciences, and we’re appreciative of his willingness to serve in the assistant dean of special projects role until his retirement,” Daubert said.