July 15, 2015
Lincoln, Neb. — Four animal scientists from UNL are recipients of awards from the American Society of Animal Science. The awards were presented at the 2015 ASAS annual meeting in Orlando July 12-16. The American Society of Animal Science is a professional organization that serves more than 5,000 animal scientists and producers around the world.
Don Adams is the recipient of this year’s Animal Industry Service Award sponsored by Zoetis. Throughout his career, Adams has distinguished himself in the beef cattle industry with his research and extension practices regarding grazing nutrition and management systems. The award is presented annually to professionals who distinguish themselves in service to the animal industry. Adams is the director of UNL’s West Central Research and Extension Center at North Platte.
Galen Erickson is the recipient of the American Feed Industry Award in Ruminant Nutrition. Erickson is a leader in defining the synergy of the golden triangle: cattle, corn and ethanol. Through research and extension, his ultimate goal is to improve the profits of Nebraska cattlemen and beyond. The award is given annually to an individual who stimulates research excellence in the nutrition of ruminant animals. Erickson is the Nebraska Cattle Industry Professor of Animal Science and Beef Feedlot Specialist.
Samodha Fernando is the winner of the American Society of Animal Science Early Career Achievement Award. Fernando has helped develop highly collaborative research teams to evaluate the gut microbial ecology of beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine and poultry. Fernando is quickly earning a distinguished reputation as a leading researcher of his field. Fernando is an Assistant Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry.
Merlyn Nielsen has been named a Fellow in the teaching category of the American Society of Animal Science. Nielsen embraced an active teaching load including graduate and undergraduate courses in animal breeding, experimental design and analysis of breed resource evaluations and selection, and population genetics. The Fellow award in the teaching category is granted to society members who have rendered a very distinguished service to the animal industry and had continuous membership in the Society for a minimum of 25 years. Nielsen recently retired after 41 years of service to UNL.
Vicky Kobes
Animal Science Department
402-472-9398
vkobes1@unl.edu