Dr. Karen L. Jones was the unanimous choice to serve as Interm Department Chair for the Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition.  Dr. Jones is a specialist in animal physiology, with a research program focused on reproductive physiology in both beef cattle and equine.  She also has completed extensive research in the area of fescue toxicity.  Her teaching is focused in the area of animal and agricultural biotechnology, breeding, reproduction and genetics, growth and development, nutrition and animal products and processing. 

 

Jones looks forward to serving the department, which is home to three very diverse programs including animal science; nutrition and dietetics; and hospitality and tourism management. 

 

"Jones Heads Animal Science, Food and Nutrition," [The Saluki Times, 02/04/09]

 

 

 

Animal Scientist, Dr. Gary Apgar, has been testing a blend of distillers' grains (from ethanol byproduct) and soybeans as a source for swine protein in feed.  Dr. Apgar has been finding that the blend is every bit as nutritious as regular soybean meal, and less expensive as well.  Apgar's research is particularly timely due to the anticipated increase in ethanol production expected in the future.  This research has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of ethanol production while enhancing the value of the byproducts that are generated. 

 

"Soy Turns Ethanol Byproduct into Food for Fit for a Pig," [The Saluki Times, 02/10/2009]

 

Ever wonder where your food comes from? A group of students from Kendall College, a professional culinary arts school, can answer that question a little better after spending some time at the SIUC University Farms. Dr. Silvia Smith, Assistant Professor of Food and Nutrition, arranged the details of the visit. Students spent a series of four days learning about life on the farm, food production and food processing. Students were able to get their hands "dirty" milking cows, assisting with grape harvest, and learning about topics such as fertilizer and livestock insemination. For more details about their visit, follow the link below:

 

"City Kids to Get a Taste of Farm Life at SIUC" [The Saluki Times, 09/02/2008]

 

 

 

Nicole Davis, an SIUC Instructor in Hospitality and Tourism Administration, teamed up with Debbie Moore from the Carbondale Convention and Tourism Bureau to land a $100,000, two-year grant that hopes to draw culinary tourists to the region. The two-year project seeks to build awareness for culinary tourism, improve communications, market offerings, and put together training programs aimed at serving the cultinary tourist.

 

"Grant Fuels Development of Cultinary Tourism Effort" [SIUC Press Release, 04/24/2008]

 

 

 

 

 

The Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition is proud to welcome its newest addition-"Hillcrest BeckyLynn." Becky, as she is referred to, is a 2,020 pound Percheron that was presented to the Equine Science program by Riley and Mary Ann Emmons. In her day, Becky was a true champion. She measures 17.2 hands (approximately 6 feet tall from her shoulders), and Dr. Sheryl King will use Becky as a teaching tool for students. Ashley J. Maiero, a graduate student in equine science will serve as Becky's handler and caretaker. Follow the link below to learn more about this majestic horse.

 

· "Equine Science Program Acquires One-Tone 'Mascot'" [SIUC Press Release, 04/03/2008]

 

 

 

When biomass is transformed into fuel, it creates a byproduct called "glycerol." At present, there is no real value for this "glycerol." Dr. Amer AbuGhazalah, an animal scientist at SIUC, proposes that the glycerol could be an acceptable livestock feed supplement for corn. AbuGhazalah stated that he believes that livestock feed could be comprised of approximately 15% glycerol, 85% corn, with no adverse effects on dairy cow health and milk production. AbuGhazaleh is working with Mr. Chet Stuemke at the SIUC Dairy Center to test such a mixture. Agribusiness economist, Dr. Phil Eberle, is working on the economics side of the equation to determine how much money dairy farmers could save by using the corn/glycerol mixture. With the every-increasing price of corn, this research could prove to be a major costs savings to dairy producers, as well as generate a value-added use for crude glycerol. Follow the link below to learn more.

 

· "Ethanol By-Product Might Feed Livestock" [SIUC Press Release, 04/30/2008]

 

 

Recognizing the need for veterinary technicians, SIUC is playing a key role in providing hands-on training and education with animals leading to an associates degree in veterinary technology. The program will be offered at SIUC to students from five community colleges through the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market. This program was started after securing a $100,000 grant from the USDA that alloed the purchase of equipment. Veterinary technicians assist with every aspect of veterinary care (radiology, dental hygiene, surgery, pharmacology, etc). Program graduates can find jobs in animal shelters, zoos, research labs, and industry. Read more about the new program:

 

· "SIUC, Commuhity Colleges Offer "Vet Tech" Program" [Southern Spotlight, 12/05/2007]

 

 

 

What is Cultinary Tourism? Dr. Sylvia Smith, a newly hired Assistant Professor, defines "Culinary Tourism as ... travel for the taste and enjoyment of prepared food and beverages." Smith states that a survey released in 2007 indicates that 17% of leisure travelers include food and/or wine-related activities in their trips. This kind of tourism benefits not only restaurants and wineries, but benefits the local area economies as well. Smith states that Illinois ranked seventh on a recent survey of top culinary destinations. Smith hopes to focus her reserach on the motivations behind culinary tourism. She is looking forward to the publishing of two of her works in the "Journal of Event Management," and the "Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management. "

 

· "Smith Brings Culinary Tourism Expertise to Table" [SIUC Press Release, 11/02/2007]

· "Agriculture, Education Colleges Add New Faculty" [SIUC Press Release, 09/17/2007]

 

 

 

There is a long-awaited change taking place within the Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition this fall. Two fully accredited specialties will received recognition as separate undergraduate degree programs: Human Nutrition and Dietetics; and Hospitality & Tourism Administration. Student enrolled in the programs and graduating in December will receive the first bachelor's degrees awarded with the new names!

 

To learn more about the change, read the recent article in the Southern Spotlight, entitled, "Agriculture Specialties Become Majors" [Southern Spotlight, July 25, 2007]

 

 

 

 

· "Animal Science Student Honored for Research" [SIUC Press Release, 07/02/2007]

 

 

 

Dr. William J. Banz, professor in the Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, led a team of multidisceplinary researchers in the research of a synthetic compound that could help fight fat and cut the chances of contracting a cluster of other conditions that is more commonly knows as the "metabolic syndrome." Research has shown the compound to decrease weight as well as treat the adult on-set of diabetes and the body's resistence to insullin. Banz and his team hopes to find an industry partner to develop the drug to its fullest potential.

 

 

· "Compound May Treat a Variety of Conditions" [Southern Spotlight, 03/07/2007]