Faculty & Post-Docs

Department Head

Avatar for Deborah VanOverbeke
Deborah VanOverbeke
Department Head & Professor

Dr. Deborah VanOverbeke began her role as the 12th Head of the Department of Animal Science in July 2023. Before she arrived in Lincoln, she served as the assistant dean for academic programs at Oklahoma State University's Ferguson College of Agriculture and as a professor of animal and food sciences. A Nebraska alum and meat scientist, VanOverbeke is a current member of the American Society of Animal Science, the American Meat Science Association, and the North American College and Teachers of Agriculture.

Faculty

  1. Avatar for Kathy Anderson
    Kathy Anderson
    Professor & Horse Extension Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C204
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6414 On-campus 2-6414
    Email
    kanderson1@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  2. Avatar for Thomas Burkey
    Thomas Burkey
    Professor & CASNR Associate Dean for Graduate Education Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C206f
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6423 On-campus 2-6423
    Email
    tom.burkey@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  3. Avatar for Daniel C. Ciobanu
    Daniel C. Ciobanu
    Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC 218K
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-8066 On-campus 2-8066
    Email
    dciobanu@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
  4. Avatar for Andrea Cupp
    Andrea Cupp
    Irvin T. and Wanda R. Omtvedt Professor of Animal Science Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A224i
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6424 On-campus 2-6424
    Email
    acupp2@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Website
  5. Avatar for Mary Drewnoski
    Mary Drewnoski
    Professor & Beef Systems Extension Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C220F
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6289 On-campus 2-6289
    Email
    mary.drewnoski@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  6. Avatar for Galen Erickson
    Galen Erickson
    Nebraska Cattle Industry Professor of Animal Science & Beef Feedlot Extension Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C220
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6402 On-campus 2-6402
    Email
    gerickson4@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  7. Avatar for Samodha C. Fernando
    Samodha C. Fernando
    Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C220k
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-0518 On-campus 2-0518
    Email
    samodha@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  8. Avatar for Michaella Fevold
    Michaella Fevold
    Assistant Professor of Practice Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A213c
    Lincoln NE 68588-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-9896 On-campus 2-9896
    Email
    mfevold2@unl.edu
    Website
  9. Avatar for Rick Funston
    Rick Funston
    Professor & Extension Beef Reproductive Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    402 W State Farm Rd
    North Platte NE 69101-7751
    Phone
    Work 3086966703
    Email
    rick.funston@unl.edu
    Website
  10. Avatar for Bo Garcia
    Bo Garcia
    Extension Assistant Professor (4-H Livestock and Meat Education) and Meat Judging Coordinator 4-H Youth Development University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A213b
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-3404 On-campus 2-3404
    Email
    bgarcia18@unl.edu
    Website
    Social Media
  11. Avatar for Lori Jaixen
    Lori Jaixen
    Lecturer & Equestrian Team Coach Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC D112
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6411 On-campus 2-6411
    Email
    ljaixen2@unl.edu
  12. Avatar for Lisa Karr
    Lisa Karr
    Professor, Companion Animal Extension Specialist, & CASNR Associate Dean of Curriculum Innovation and Student Success Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A214C
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6458 On-campus 2-6458
    Email
    lisa.karr@unl.edu
    Website
    Social Media
  13. Avatar for Paul Kononoff
    Paul Kononoff
    Professor & Dairy Nutrition Extension Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C220j
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6442 On-campus 2-6442
    Email
    pkononoff2@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  14. Avatar for Lena Luck
    Lena Luck
    Associate Professor, Youth Equine Extension Specialist, & Animal Science Co-Undergraduate Teaching Coordinator Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C204e
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-9098 On-campus 2-9098
    Email
    lena.luck@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  15. Avatar for James C. MacDonald
    James C. MacDonald
    Professor and Graduate Committee Chair Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C220i
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6780 On-campus 2-6780
    Email
    jmacdonald2@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
  16. Avatar for Kacie McCarthy
    Kacie McCarthy
    Assistant Professor & Beef Cow-Calf Extension Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C214
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6074 On-campus 2-6074
    Email
    kacie.mccarthy@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  17. Avatar for Phillip Miller
    Phillip Miller
    Kermit Wagner Distinguished Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C206g
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6421 On-campus 2-6421
    Email
    pmiller1@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
  18. Avatar for Jessie Morrill
    Jessie Morrill
    Assistant Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A213f
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-9882 On-campus 2-9882
    Email
    jmorrill6@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
  19. Avatar for Benny Mote
    Benny Mote
    Associate Professor & Swine Extension Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A218J
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6033 On-campus 2-6033
    Email
    benny.mote@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  20. Avatar for Keara O'Reilly
    Keara O'Reilly
    Rsch Assoc Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    c203 ANSC
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-3571 On-campus 2-3571
    Email
    koreilly2@unl.edu
    Website
  21. Avatar for Jessica L. Petersen
    Jessica L. Petersen
    Associate Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A218g
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6328 On-campus 2-6328
    Email
    jessica.petersen@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
  22. Avatar for Sheila Purdum
    Sheila Purdum
    Professor & Poultry Extension Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C206j
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6451 On-campus 2-6451
    Email
    spurdum2@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  23. Avatar for Rick Rasby
    Rick Rasby
    Professor & Cow/Calf Extension Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C204d
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6477 On-campus 2-6477
    Email
    rrasby1@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
  24. Avatar for Bryan Reiling
    Bryan Reiling
    Professor, Livestock Production and Management Extension Specialist, & Animal Science Co-Undergraduate Teaching Coordinator Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C204a
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-8960 On-campus 2-8960
    Email
    breiling2@unl.edu
  25. Avatar for Amy Millmier Schmidt
    Amy Millmier Schmidt
    Professor & Animal Manure Management Extension Specialist Biological Systems Engineering/Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    CHA 216
    Lincoln NE 68583-0726
    Phone
    Work 402-472-1413 On-campus 2-1413
    Email
    aschmidt@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  26. Avatar for Ty Schmidt
    Ty Schmidt
    Associate Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A213c
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 4023262026
    Email
    ty.schmidt@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
  27. Avatar for Cal Schultz
    Cal Schultz
    Livestock Judging Coach & Lecturer Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C204F
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-8834 On-campus 2-8834
    Email
    cschultz23@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
  28. Avatar for Matt Spangler
    Matt Spangler
    Professor & Beef Genetics Extension Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A218h
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6489 On-campus 2-6489
    Email
    mspangler2@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
  29. Avatar for Jessica Sperber
    Jessica Sperber
    Extension Assistant Professor & Feedlot Extension Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C211
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-4482 On-campus 2-4482
    Email
    jsperber2@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  30. Avatar for Rick Stowell
    Rick Stowell
    Professor & Animal Environment Extension Specialist Biological Systems Engineering University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    CHA 215
    Lincoln NE 68583-0726
    Phone
    Work 402-472-3912 On-campus 2-3912
    Email
    richard.stowell@unl.edu
    Website
  31. Avatar for Gary Sullivan
    Gary Sullivan
    Associate Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A213g
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6430 On-campus 2-6430
    Email
    gary.sullivan@unl.edu
    Website
  32. Avatar for Hiep Vu
    Hiep Vu
    Associate Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    MOLR 110
    Lincoln NE 68583-0900
    Phone
    Work 402-472-4528 On-campus 2-4528
    Email
    hiepvu@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
  33. Avatar for Brett White
    Brett White
    Associate Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A224j
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6438 On-campus 2-6438
    Email
    bwhite2@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  34. Avatar for Jordan Wicks
    Jordan Wicks
    Assistant Professor & Meats Extension Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A213C
    Lincoln NE 68588-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-0537 On-campus 2-0537
    Email
    jwicks4@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Website
  35. Avatar for Karla Wilke
    Karla Wilke
    Professor & Cow-Calf Stocker Management Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    4502 Ave I
    Scottsbluff NE 69361-4939
    Phone
    Work 308-632-1245
    Email
    kjenkins2@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
  36. Avatar for Ruth Woiwode
    Ruth Woiwode
    Assistant Professor & Animal Behavior and Well-Being Extension Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C219
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-3247 On-campus 2-3247
    Email
    ruth.woiwode@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  37. Avatar for Jennifer Wood
    Jennifer Wood
    Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A224k
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6437 On-campus 2-6437
    Email
    jwood5@unl.edu
    Website
  38. Avatar for Yijie Xiong
    Yijie Xiong
    Assistant Professor & Precision Livestock Management Extension Specialist Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C217
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-3246 On-campus 2-3246
    Email
    yijie.xiong@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  39. Avatar for Dustin T. Yates
    Dustin T. Yates
    Associate Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A224l
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6305 On-campus 2-6305
    Email
    dustin.yates@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
  40. Avatar for Tianjing Zhao
    Tianjing Zhao
    Assistant Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A218f
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6009 On-campus 2-6009
    Email
    tzhao9@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Website
    Social Media

Post-Docs

  1. Avatar for Nirosh Aluthge
    Nirosh Aluthge
    Post-Doctoral Research Associate Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC 220n
    Lincoln , NE , 68583-0908 ,
    Phone
    Work 402-472-0518 On-campus 2-0518
    Email
    naluthge2@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
  2. Avatar for Joshua Benton
    Joshua Benton
    Post-Doctoral Research Associate Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ARDC-Feedlot 1071 Cnty Rd G Rm A
    Ithaca NE 68033
    Phone
    Work 4026814249
    Email
    jbenton8@unl.edu
  3. Avatar for Haley Beer
    Haley Beer
    Post-Doctoral Research Associate & Adjunct Professor Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A218
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-3571 On-campus 2-3571
    Email
    hbeer2@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  4. Avatar for Sree Chanumolu
    Sree Chanumolu
    Post-Doctoral Research Associate Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A218
    Lincoln NE 68588-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-3571 On-campus 2-3571
    Email
    sree-krishna.chanumolu@unl.edu
  5. Avatar for Alison Ermisch
    Alison Ermisch
    Post-Doctoral Research Associate Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A224 (Wood)
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-3571 On-campus 2-3571
    Email
    aermisch2@unl.edu
    Website
    Website
    Social Media
  6. Avatar for Andrew Lakamp
    Andrew Lakamp
    Post-Doctoral Research Associate Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A218 (Spangler)
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-3571 On-campus 2-3571
    Email
    alakamp2@unl.edu
  7. Avatar for Corinne Monaco
    Corinne Monaco
    Post-Doctoral Research Associate Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC A224g
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-6446 On-campus 2-6446
    Email
    cmonaco3@unl.edu
  8. Avatar for Zhikai Yang
    Zhikai Yang
    Post-Doctoral Research Associate Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    KEIM 363
    Lincoln NE 68583-0915
    Phone
    Work 402-472-1408 On-campus 2-1408
    Email
    zyang35@unl.edu
    Website
  9. Avatar for Biquan Zhao
    Biquan Zhao
    Post-Doctoral Research Associate Animal Science University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    ANSC C203
    Lincoln NE 68583-0908
    Phone
    Work 402-472-3571 On-campus 2-3571
    Email
    bzhao10@unl.edu
    Website

Extension Educator Department Affiliates

  1. Avatar for Ashley Benes
    Ashley Benes
    Assoc Exten Educator 4-H Youth Development University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    AGH 211
    Lincoln NE 68583-0725
    Phone
    Work 402-472-9184 On-campus 2-9184
    Email
    ashley.benes@unl.edu
    Website
  2. Avatar for Brett Kreifels
    Brett Kreifels
    Assoc Exten Educator NE Ext Engagement Zone 9 University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    8015 W Center Rd
    Omaha NE 68124-3175
    Phone
    Work 4024447804
    Email
    brett.kreifels@unl.edu
    Website
  3. Avatar for Brent Plugge
    Brent Plugge
    Extension Educator (Livestock Systems) NE Ext Engagement Zone 3 University of Nebraska-Lincoln
    Work
    Address
    1400 E 34th St
    Kearney NE 68847-3992
    Phone
    Work 3082361235
    Email
    brent.plugge@unl.edu
    Website