Sponsored by American Society of Animal Science

Dr. Neal R. Merchen is the Associate Dean for Research and the Director of the Experiment Station in the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois overseeing a research budget of approximately $63 M. In collaboration with the Dean and Department Heads in the college he is responsible for implementing federal and state programs in research. Previously, Dr. Merchen served for 11 years as Head of the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois where he oversaw approximately 40 tenure-track faculty, 60 academic professionals, 100 graduate students, and 500 undergraduate students. Dr. Merchen came to the University of Illinois as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences in 1981. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1987 and to Professor in 1993. Dr. Merchen taught and conducted research in the area of comparative animal nutrition and mentored 7 Ph.D. and 11 M.S. students.