Chair's Welcome!
The Department of Animal and Avian Sciences was formed in 1997 through the merger of the Animal Science, Dairy Science and Poultry Science Departments. Animal science is the study of domesticated animals used for food, biomedical research and leisure. Our department fulfills a tripartite mission of research, teaching, and extension. Departmental research programs are focused in four areas:
- Animal Genetics and Cell Biology
- Nutrient Utilization and Management
- Animal Reproduction and Development
- Pathobiology & Infectious Diseases
The Animal Science graduate program offers advanced training in each of these research focus areas. Learn More>>
Multimedia
Department Newsletter
Read our latest Newsletter, which highlights faculty, staff, and student academic and research achievements.
Students
Poster Award Winner
Shelley Sandmaier, grad student in the Telugu lab, won the poster competition for her poster entitled, "Investigating the role of PRDM14 in the porcine germ cell program".
Annual Symposium
The 31st Annual Symposium was held on May 25th to celebrate collective scholarship and the completion of another academic year.
From China Star to Maryland Student
ANSC 2 + 2 undergraduate student Ray An accepted to Ivy League schools.
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Megan Brown, grad student in Dr. Keefer’s lab, was awarded a two-year post-doctoral training fellowship by Morris Animal Foundation.
Faculty/Staff
Faculty Excellence Award
Dr. Bhanu Telugu received the On-Campus Junior Faculty Award from the College of AGNR at the convocation on May 23 in the Riggs Alumni Center.
Celebrating Women in Agriculture
Dr. Taneyhill featured by AGNR as part of the Women’s History Month for her contributions to the field of agriculture.
New Faculty Member
Dr. Nishanth Sunny joined the department in January as an Assistant Professor.
Momentum Features Dr. Biswas’s Berry Study
Dr. Debabrata Biswas ‘s study on berry fruits as antibiotic alternative for use in poultry production has been featured in the latest Momentum issue.
Research
NIFA Grant
Dr. Tom Porter and Dr. Laura Ellestad awarded a $500K grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Sunny Awarded $1.86 million R01 Grant
Dr. Nishanth E. Sunny has been awarded a $1.86 million grant from NIH for his R01 grant proposal entitled “Metabolic Origins of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.”
Mather MBoC Article
Professor Emeritus Ian Mather has had a new article published in the Journal of Molecular Biology of the Cell and his work is on the front cover.
Journal of Cell Biology publication
The Taneyhill lab recently had some of their research published in the Journal of Cell Biology.
Extension
Equine Studies Annual Report
Equine Studies has released their 2016 Annual Report, which highlights their accomplishments and efforts in teaching, extension, and research.
4-H Horse Judging, Hippology Contests
The event allows 4-H members and their families to become familiar with our programs, facilities as well as to interact with faculty and staff.
Alumni
ANSC Alumni Teaching in Liberia
ANSC alumni Anna and Nathan Glenn (Class of '12) have gone to Liberia to teach Agriculture.
Alum Kathleen (Hughes) Hartman in the News
ANSC alum Kathleen (Hughes) Hartman is now the Aquaculture Program Leader for USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services and was featured in "Fish Farming News.”
