Iowa State University-Animal Science

In April we hosted students, family members, faculty and staff to celebrate the accomplishments and awards in the Department of Animal Science for our annual banquet. Read more about the event and student award winners here: https://www.ans.iastate.edu/news/2026/2026-animal-science-banquet

Nesse Tuttle, junior in Animal Science, has made the most of her time at Iowa State through campus involvement and studies. To learn more about Nesse, visit the link: https://www.ans.iastate.edu/news/2026/student-spotlight-nesse-tuttle

Congratulations, Caleigh! 🎉

Caleigh Grote successfully defended her thesis titled: Impacts of Perfluorooctanoic Acid on Porcine Oocyte Health and Competence.

Congratulations, Elias! 🎉

Elias Perez successfully defended his thesis titled: Factors affecting free nitrite, acid-released nitrous oxide concentration, color, and oxidative stability of a finely comminuted cured pork model system.

This April, Block and Bridle held their annual Animal Learning Day, bringing in community members to gain hands-on experiences with agriculture. To learn more about the event, visit the link below:
https://www.ans.iastate.edu/news/2026/block-and-bridle-continues-animal-learning-day

Nick Pudenz, ISU Animal Science alumni, reflects on his time at Iowa State and how his experiences led him to his current industry role. To learn more about Nick, visit the link below: https://www.ans.iastate.edu/news/2026/alumni-spotlight-nick-pudenz

Congratulations to three of our faculty that will continue their impactful research and teaching with support from donor-funded named positions.

Elisabeth Huff-Lonergan, University Professor of animal science, was named the Morrison Chair in Meat Science. Stephanie Hansen, professor of animal science, and Aileen Keating, professor of animal science, will hold the title of Tyrone D. Artz, M.D., Chair for Faculty Excellence in Animal Science. All three were recognized during a departmental faculty meeting on April 27.

Huff-Lonergan, Hansen, Keating selected for endowed positions in animal science Elisabeth Huff Lonergan, University Professor of animal science, was named the Morrison Chair in Meat Science. Stephanie Hansen, professor of animal science, and Aileen Keating, professor of animal science, will hold the title of Tyrone D. Artz, M.D., Chair for Faculty Excellence in Animal Science.

Ryan Wolf, graduating senior in animal science, is the spring 2026 CALS Convocation student speaker.

"We all arrive in Ames with different backgrounds, perspectives and motivations, and even when we share similar experiences, our paths and outcomes are never the same," Wolf said. "During my time here, I learned the value of taking a step back and intentionally getting to know people beyond the surface. In a world that rarely slows down, choosing to listen and ask meaningful questions has helped me better understand and support those around me."

Read more about Ryan ⬇️
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/2026/qa-ryan-wolf-spring-2026-student-speaker

Iowa State University-Animal Science

Students from Animal Science 4600 (Science and Technology of Value-Added Meat Products) visited Hormel Foods in Austin, MN, on April 23. During the trip, they toured the Austin manufacturing plant, the Hormel R&D Innovation Center, and the Hormel Chemistry and Microbiology Laboratories. While there, the students got to experience real commercial application of the principles taught in class, tour world-class R&D and analytical facilities, and hear from and interact with professionals from various parts of the Hormel Foods organization (R&D, quality, analytical services, human resources). Before heading back to campus, the group visited the SPAM Museum.

Good luck on finals this week!📝