Kristin Hales ASAS Journey
Mike and Kristin Hales
"Growing up in the Texas Panhandle in a multi-generational family of cattlemen and cotton farmers, with my family growing wheat and raising cattle, college wasn't something we had ever considered. As a farm kid, I found joy in the simple pleasures—being part of 4-H and FFA, spending long nights chasing fireflies, riding my bike down dirt roads, and waking up early to care for the animals and finish my chores.
Kristin Hales
As a teenager and during summer breaks from college, I worked at a local feedlot, where a consulting nutritionist entrusted me with gathering feed ingredient samples before his monthly visits. He took the time to explain how these ingredients' varying nutrient compositions influenced the cattle's growth, which I found fascinating! This experience is a constant reminder of how we unknowingly inspire others simply by sharing what we love.
Even though college wasn't initially in the cards for me or my siblings, my parents supported my decision, and I became the first in our family to earn a college degree.
I began my studies at our local junior college, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO), before transferring to Oklahoma State University (OSU). Initially, I selected agricultural economics as my major; perhaps the relentless Oklahoma heat and humidity clouded my judgment. However, it only took one excruciatingly dull macroeconomics class for me to change my major to animal science under the mentorship of Dr. Gerald Horn.
This decision, second only to marrying my husband, is one of my life's best choices! Dr. Horn encouraged all his students, including me, to join ASAS, highlighting the incredible value of a $15 student membership. I have maintained my membership for 20+ years and have attended nearly every Annual Meeting.
Andy Cole, Kristin Hales, and Mike Tokach
After earning my B.S. in 2004 and M.S. in 2006 in animal science, I dove into my Ph.D. journey at Texas Tech University (TTU) with the remarkable guidance of Dr. Michael Galyean. I then spent two exciting years as a postdoc with Dr. N. Andy Cole, where I got hands-on with indirect respiration calorimetry using whole animal chambers. This concept was just theoretical back then! It wasn't all smooth sailing, though; it had plenty of 'blood, sweat, and tears.' But those challenges only fueled my passion, and I eventually mastered this fascinating field. Who knew that beef cattle energetics would become my absolute favorite research area? Following my postdoc in 2011, I was hired by Dr. Harvey Freetly at the Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska. As my research leader, Harvey was an early mentor in my professional career. Throughout my career, I have had outstanding mentors dedicated to quality research and strongly tied to ASAS.
Kristin and Mike Hales | Huck and Goose
Not long after settling in Nebraska, I had the joy of marrying Chris, my longtime sweetheart. Chris is from the small town of Dimmitt, TX, where his family runs a tire shop that caters to the needs of farmers and their machinery. While Chris didn't grow up on a farm, because of the family business, he has always been deeply connected to agriculture.
Together, we share our lives with two very spoiled Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Huck and Goose, who have taught us the fine art of pampering them. When not with Huck and Goose, we enjoy wake surfing and any kind of fishing. On weekends, you are likely to find us at a local bass tournament.
In 2019, I was honored to join TTU as the Thornton Distinguished Chair in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences. One of our first exciting projects was transforming a facility to include 12 metabolism stalls and six indirect respiration calorimeter head boxes, all to advance our energetics research.
Today, I teach a graduate-level course on energetics at TTU, sharing my passion and knowledge with the next generation of scientists.
From my start at OSU to now, my 'ASAS extended family' has been consistent, reliable, and even entertaining at times. Every year, during the Midwest ASAS or Annual meeting, I am reminded of this as I catch up with colleagues and friends. The chance to attend scientific meetings as a graduate student and now as a professor with my graduate students is truly special.
Kristin and her students, December 2024
Looking back on my journey in animal science, I feel a deep sense of gratitude and excitement for the path ahead. In 2025, ASAS Foundation's focus encourages us to 'Inspire, Ignite, and Invest,' which is an exceptional summary of what ASAS has done for me and what I strive to do for others. Supporting the ASAS Foundation is my way of giving back to an organization that has been a cornerstone in my life.
Please join me in contributing to the ASAS Foundation's Legacy Fund or another fund of your choice. We can support each other and nurture the next generation of scientists and leaders.
Thank you for being part of my journey and supporting our community as we continue this journey together!"
Kristin Hales, Ph.D
To support the ASAS Foundation, visit online here.
