Experienced Professor of Molecular Genetics; skilled in research and teaching of Genetics and Genomics. Received a BA from St. Cloud State University, USA, and PhD from the University of Minnesota, USA. Completed postdoctoral training in developmental genetics at Columbia University and the University of Southern California, before joining Iowa State University as faculty. Research program is centered on elucidating the function of the porcine genome to understand genetic and epigenetic control of immune response as well as enhance our ability to use genetic improvement through selective breeding. Current research projects include leading a multi-institutional effort to map functional elements of the porcine genome through generating epigenetic resource data, with an emphasis on the immune system. A second project focuses on developing a novel severe combined immune deficient pig line for understanding pig immunology and as a biomedical model in regenerative medicine.