Ensuring greater human and animal health
Our scientists are tackling some of the leading challenges in animal nutrition, food safety, production systems, technology and more. Research in the Department of Animal Sciences is in collaboration with the College of Agriculture and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station.
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Scientists in our department conduct research in the following areas:
Animal and forage production systems and nutrition
- Dr. Leanne Dillard: forages
- Dr. Paul Dyce: reproductive biology
- Dr. Maggie Justice: beef systems, management
- Dr. Kim Mullenix: beef systems
- Dr. Rishi Prasad: livestock production, nutrition
- Dr. Soren Rodning: herd health
- Dr. Marko Rudar: swine nutrition, metabolism, biology
- Dr. Brandon Smith: ruminant nutrition
Muscle food science, technology and safety
- Dr. Aeriel Belk: food science, production environment, animal host
- Dr. Jason Sawyer: production, packaging, food science
Regulatory biology
- Dr. Priyanka Banerjee: biochemistry, biotechnology
- Dr. Terry Brandebourg: genetics
- Dr. Wellison Diniz: genomics and bioinformatics
- Dr. Jacek Wower: biochemistry
From first-timers to lifelong livestock exhibitors, Alabama youth will find livestock events tailored to every experience level in 2026.
Dillard is the recipient of the 2025 Auburn University Award for Excellence in Faculty Outreach. Presented by the Provost’s Office, the award honors the engagement of exemplary faculty members and demonstrates the tremendous impact outreach has on the community, state, nation and beyond.
Researchers at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station are working to develop smarter solutions for Alabama’s cattle producers by shifting from traditional cattle-based experiments to molecular analysis of the horn fly itself—revealing new insights into fly-borne pathogens and novel methods of biological control.
