Welcome New Faculty! Dr. Sara Place joined the Department of Animal Science faculty in February 2013 as an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Beef Cattle Systems. Her research program will focus on the intersection of management and production practices that optimize animal well-being, nutrient-use efficiency, and the business sustainability of the beef industry. Her teaching responsibilities will include nutrition and dairy science. Prior to Oklahoma State, she worked with the Innovation Center for US Dairy in Sustainability. She received her Ph.D. in 2012 from University of California, Davis in Animal Biology where her work focused on measurement and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from cattle. She earned a B.S. in Animal Science from Cornell University in 2008 and an A.A.S. degree in Agriculture Business from Morrisville State College in 2006. Dr. Place is originally from New York State where she grew up on her family’s dairy farm. In October 2013, Dr. Blake Bloomberg was hired as an Assistant Professor in Applied Animal Science. In addition to teaching Applied Animal Science courses, he will also coach the OSU Livestock Judging Team. Bloomberg, a native of Berwick, Ill., grew up on a diversified livestock operation. He attended Black Hawk College where he received an associate’s degree. From there, he transferred to Texas A&M University where he completed both his B.S. and M.S. in Animal Science. Bloomberg came to OSU in 2010 to pursue a Ph.D in Meat Science under the direction of Dr. Gretchen Mafi. While at OSU, he served as co-coach for the Meat Animal Evaluation Team and assistant coach for the Livestock Judging Team. He was voted Outstanding Ph.D. Graduate Student in 2012. Dr. Bloomberg and his wife, Wravenna, live in Stillwater with their young daughter, Breckyn.
Regents Distinguished Research Award Dr. Leon Spicer from the Department of Animal Science was chosen as one of the seven 2013-2014 Regents Distinguished Research Award winners. These faculty members maintain records of past and continuing excellence in research and are recognized nationally and internationally for achievements in their respective fields of study. Dr. Spicer received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in animal science from the University of Minnesota and University of Idaho, respectively, and his Ph.D. degree in dairy science from Michigan State University. Before joining the OSU faculty in 1988, he served as an Instructor at the M.S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Spicer’s research has focused on understanding nutritional, genetic and metabolic regulation of ovarian function. His research efforts have been supported by extramural grants from USDA, NIH and private industry totaling more than $1.4 million.
Dear Alumni and Friends: Are you missing out on our Department of Animal Science newsletter, Cowpoke News? Cowpoke News is an electronic newsletter that you can receive 3 times per year by e-mail or view on our website: www.ansi.okstate.edu. The Cowpoke News is an inaugural newsletter that discusses student and faculty activities, including research, presentations and awards. Cowpoke News is not intended to replace the Alumni Update you receive in the Spring -instead our goal is to stay in touch with
Diana Bateson Receives CASNR Outstanding Staff Member Award
Ms. Diana Bateson of the OSU Department of Animal Science is the winner of the 2012 – 2013 CASNR Outstanding Staff Member Award. Diana serves as an information assistant for four faculty members in the department. She is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the office suite, handles the telephone, appointments, correspondence, classroom materials and manages the Award and Grant Accounts for each faculty member. Diana also took on the huge responsibility of serving as the purchasing liaison for collaborative research at the Fort Reno-Grazing Lands Research Lab at the USDA Research Center in El Reno, Okla. when they were without a purchasing agent. While her principal responsibilities constitute a full-time job, Diana has gone over and above these responsibilities to provide additional support in servicing the needs of additional faculty members and staff within the department. Diana has an exceptional personality and is willing to do whatever is required and more to fulfill the needs of faculty and staff. Without question, Diana Bateson is a team player that for more than 24 years has given of herself for the betterment of the department, our college and the university.
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ANIMAL SCIENCE
AlumniUpdate
Spring 2014
Niblack Scholars The Niblack Research Scholars is an undergraduate research program that awards an $8,000 scholarship to 12 students each year. This allows the students the opportunity to conduct research in a university lab. The research is assisted by a faculty sponsor and graduate student mentor. This year, 4 of the 12 students chosen are from the Department of Animal Science. Congratulations to Christian Cook, Lindsay King, Julia Matera, and Jessica Neal!