Dr. Ryan Ashley hails from a cattle ranch in New Mexico. Following his BS and MS in animal science he obtained from New Mexico State University (NMSU), he attended Colorado State University, where he continued research in reproductive physiology for his PhD. For postdoctoral training, he joined the laboratory of Dr. Thomas (Tod) Hansen where he pioneered research in chemokine signaling during early pregnancy. He began his teaching career in the NMSU Department of Animal and Range Sciences in the fall of 2010. It was here that he immediately established a lab that would serve as a foundation to not only teach his students laboratory techniques in reproduction, but also teach them how to succeed as scientists. As a mentor, Dr. Ashley truly prepares his students to accomplish impactful research. His mentorship reflects highly on his students, with acceptance into programs such as Frontiers in Reproduction, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Miami’s Summer Research Early Identification Program, and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute’s Internship Program through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Exceptional Research Opportunities Program. His exceptional teaching and devotion to advancing the field of animal science shine in the students who he inspires.

With less than six years as an assistant professor, Dr. Ashley has taught several undergraduate and graduate courses, including physiology of reproduction, advanced reproductive physiology, molecular techniques in reproductive physiology, hypothalamo-hypophyseal-pineal endocrinology, gonadal and uterine endocrinology, and endocrinology of pregnancy, parturition and lactation. Through these courses he has established an exceptional learning environment for students to continue to grow and accomplish careers in the animal science field. Dr. Ashley is also active in the teaching academy program at NMSU and is currently serving as the faculty advisor for Alpha Gamma Rho.