Dr. Phillip R. Myer is an Associate Professor in the University of Tennessee Department of Animal Science. He received his B.S. in Biology from Bradley University in 2008 and his Ph.D. in Microbiology in 2013 from Purdue University. As a Postdoctoral Researcher, he worked at the USDA-ARS-US Meat Animal Research Center from 2013-2015 researching gut microbiome impacts on nutrition and feed efficiency in finishing beef steers. Phil’s research focuses on gut microbiology in beef cattle with emphasis on the rumen microbiome and its significance to feed efficiency and nutritional physiology. His research has resulted in regional, national, and international invitations to speak and has informed reports to congress on advancing agriculture. Dr. Myer has secured over of $2 million in extramural support and has over 170 publications, including 48 refereed journal articles, 2 book/chapters, and 74 abstracts. He has advised 9 M.S. and 3 Ph.D. students, 4 international interns, and 3 visiting scholars.