Directory

My research focuses on the seemingly paradoxical capabilities of the female reproductive tract (FRT), which mounts an active immune response to combat microbial infections, yet protects allogeneic sperm and the semi-allogeneic fetus. Solving this conundrum will not only increase our understanding of reproduction and improve reproductive performance, but will also impact other significantly important fields such as organ transplantation (understanding how natural factors in seminal plasma allow tolerance of male antigens) and sexually transmitted diseases (how tolerance of male antigens may impact microbial pathogenesis). 
 

My research interests focus on utilizing genetic diversity in maize to improve starches for food and industrail application.

I serve as the IHSA Equestrian Team coach and mentor students working with horses on basic and advanced training techniques.

I teach AGSC 160, Agricultural Techniques, and supervise student workers in the management of all horses, livestock, field crop, horticulture, and forage enterprises at the University Farm.

A current research interest is examining the effect of swine diet - specifically feeding resistant starch from amylomaize - on skatole levels and odor in swine feces.  I am also invovled in Truman State University Bulldog Biodiesel, which is both a waste reduction project and an educational program, designed to support the sustainable farming community, the grassroots biodiesel community, and the community residents who produce waste vegetable oil and wish to dispose of it in an environmentally sound way.

I teach courses in agricultural business and marketing and sustainable agriculture.  My research interests focus on the impacts of agricultural change on human communities.

I teach courses in Animal Nutrition, Animal Behavior, Grazing Animal Ecology, and Cattle Breeding and Production.

My research interests include energy and mineral nutrition of grazing beef cow/calf pairs centering on requirements for efficient maintenance, growth, and rebreeding and utilization of milk and pasture by nursing beef calves, including the estimation of optimum milk production and visual udder scoring to predict milk production of grazing beef cows.