Dr. Kristin Hales was raised on a farm in the Texas panhandle. She received a B.S. and M.S. in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University and a Ph.D. in Animal Science from Texas Tech University. Dr. Hales has built a strong feedlot research program at U.S. MARC. In this role, she conducts research to improve feed efficiency of beef cattle by studying feed resources, feed additives, rumen microbiome and understanding mechanisms of energetic efficiency and energy partitioning through the use of respiration calorimetry. Dr. Hales and her colleagues have published 60 peer reviewed manuscripts and numerous abstracts and proceedings articles. Kristin and her husband, Chris live in Hastings.