Erick Loetz Research Farm Manager

Dr. Erick Loetz:

AIGR Research Farm Manager

Dr. Erick Loetz working in the andrology laboratory.

BORN IN CARACAS, VENEZUELA, ERICK LOETZ SPENT HIS LATE CHILDHOOD AND ADO

LESCENT YEARS IN BOLIVIA, WHERE HE RAN HIS FAMILY’S FARM IN THE YUNGAS RAIN

FOREST IN THE ANDES FOOTHILLS. THERE HE REMAINED UNTIL HE HEARD THE CALL OF

ACADEMIA AND HEADED NORTH TO CALIFORNIA. LOETZ STUDIED FIRST AT SAN MATEO

JUNIOR COLLEGE AND LATER ENROLLED AT CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY

IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, WHERE HE EARNED A B.S. IN ANIMAL SCIENCE IN 1980. IN A PORTENT

OF THE PATH HE WOULD FOLLOW FOR MOST OF HIS PROFESSIONAL LIFE, HIS SENIOR

PROJECT WAS ON GOAT NUTRITION.

His studies resumed at Bridgerland Technical College in Logan, Utah, where he completed a year-long dairy herd management program in 1981. Seeking to expand his knowledge of dairy animals, Loetz matriculated at Utah State University, earning an M.S. in reproductive management in 1986.

OKLAHOMA INTERRUPTED

Eager to put his broad expertise to work, Loetz applied for and was hired as research farm operations manager at the American Institute for Goat Research (AIGR) at Langston University. At AIGR, he managed herds of 120 Alpine dairy goats and 80 Angora goats, raised for their mohair. He also co-authored his first research publication, (continues)

dealing with milking machine parameters for dairy goats. A coworker at AIGR, Dr. Tilahun Sahlu, would later become director of the institute and be instrumental in bringing Loetz back.

In 1988, Loetz left AIGR to pursue doctoral studies in reproductive physiology at Oklahoma State University. He was prevented from completing his degree, however, when family matters called him back to Bolivia. Over the ensuing 10 years, he managed the family farm, taught at universities in La Paz and Cochabamba, and completed a B.S. in agricultural engineering and an M.S. in cytogenetics from the School of Medicine at the Dr. Erick Loetz Universidad Mayor de San Andrés in La Paz.

AT AIGR FOR GOOD

Always yearning to develop professionally and stay true to his agricultural roots, Loetz contacted AIGR. In 2001, he was hired by Sahlu, who had been named director of AIGR, to manage the research farm once again. This time, however, the job would be more demanding. In the 14 years since his first stint at AIGR, the number of animals at the research farm had increased tenfold and management duties had expanded to an even greater extent.

While he was handling his farm management tasks, Loetz became involved in all aspects of AIGR. International assignments took him to Armenia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and Namibia. He developed herd management programs for producers throughout Oklahoma, across the U.S., and around the world. And in the midst of this work, he earned his doctorate in biological science from the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012.

During his tenure as manager of the research farm, Loetz took the greatest satisfaction from building two state-of-the-art laboratories and establishing AIGR’s assisted reproductive technology program. The first laboratory is dedicated to embryo transfer, early pregnancy diagnosis, estrus and ovulation synchronization, estrus detection, various means of performing artificial insemination, and laparoscopic ovum retrieval. The second is a fully equipped andrology lab established for evaluating buck and ram semen quality and freezing semen. The assisted reproductive technology program, while spearheaded by Loetz, benefitted from the contributions of numerous visiting scientists and scholars — Dr. Bridgitte Muasa, a 2014 Borlaug fellow from Nairobi, Kenya; Dr. Desiderio Arrocha, from Panama; and Drs. Miguel A. Rojas, Rommel M. Calle, and Fabiola Encinas from Bolivia.

Sahlu has only the highest praise for Loetz. “Erick has been instrumental in managing the farm for the past 19 years,” he remarked. “His guidance has allowed AIGR scientists to conduct high quality research in a variety of areas. His own research and his willingness to train visiting scientists and undergraduate students has greatly strengthened our capabilities. As he prepares to retire in 2020, it is only right that all of us at AIGR and Langston University express our appreciation for his vision, energy, and commitment to his job and his staff. He will be missed.”

For more information, please contact Dr. Tiahun Sahlu, tiahun. sahlu@langston.edu

During his tenure as manager of the research farm, Dr. Erick Loetz took the greatest satisfaction from building two stateof-the-art laboratories and establishing AIGR’s assisted reproductive technology program.