Mammary Gland Biology: Utilization of mammary cell culture to determine the endocrine regulation of mammary cell proliferation, differentiation and mechanisms of cellular transport. Mechanism of the occurance of hormones in colostrum and milk. Formation of colostrum: Immunoglobulin G1 transport mechanisms and kinetics. Role of FcRn in IgG1 mechanisms and mastitis.
Employment and Academic Experience
General Science Teacher, Belleville, IL School District #118 1966-1969
Eastern Ill. University, Faculty Assistant (Teaching: Basic Biology) Charleston, IL 1969-1971
Purdue University, Research Assistant W. Lafayette, IN 1971-1972
Purdue University, Graduate Instructor (Teaching: Food Science Analysis) W. Lafayette, IN 1973-1974
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Teaching: Lactation; Research Methods) Assistant Professor of Dairy Science, 1974-1981
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Associate Professor of Animal Nutrition/Physiology 1981-1992.
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Professor of Animal Nutrition/Physiology 1992 - present. Current Assignment: 80% Research; Research on factors that affect mammary tissue growth,lactogenesis or lactation, growth factors that are secreted into milk, milk hormones & growth factors, affects upon the neonate; 20% Teaching; graduate education.
Sabbatical: 1989-1990 - University of Bern, Switzerland & University of Zurich Medical School,Switzerland. Effect of dietary colostrum IGF on calf gut development. (J.W. Blum and E.R. Froesch, sponcers) Sabbatical: 2000-2001 - University Bern, Medical School. Dr. R. R. Friis, host. General Topic: Phenotype of mammary expressing hLf transgenic mice; Veterinary School, Dr. J. W. Blum, host, General Topic: Vitamin A and lactoferrin production in dairy cattle.
Sabbatical: 2000-2001 - University of Bern, Medical School. Dr. R.R. Friis, Host. General Topic: Phenotype of mammary expressing hLf transgenic mice; Veterinary School, Dr. J. W. Blum, host, General Topic: Vitamin A and lactoferrin production in dairy cattle.
Sabbatical: 2010-2011 - University Bern, Veterinary School, Dr. R. Bruckmaier, host, General Topic: Colsotrogenesis: Mass transfer and kinetics of IgG1.
Professor Emeritus, 2012. Department of Animal Science, Penn State University.
Visiting Professor: 2012 - July-October, University Bern, Vetsuisse Faculty, Prof. Dr. R. Bruckmaier, host, Topic: Colostrogenesis
Visiting Professor: 2013 - October-December, University Bern, Vetsuisse Faculty, Prof. Dr. R. Bruckmaier, host, Topic: Colostrogenesis
Visiting Professor: 2014 - August-November, University of Bern, Vetsuisse Faculty, Prof. Dr. R. Bruckmaier, host, Topic: FcRn Mechanisms
Visiting Professor: 2015 - October-December University of Bern, Vetsuisse Faculty, Prof. Dr. R. Bruckmaier, host, Topic: FcRn Mechanisms
Visiting Professor: 2017 - January - March, University of Bern, Vetsuisse Faculty, Prof. Dr. R. Bruckmaier, host, Topic: FcRn and Mastitis
Visiting Professor: 2018 - July to November, Topic: FcRn and Mastitis
Teaching Experience
NUTR 581 (Graduate Course) REGULATION OF NUTRIENT METABOLISM. Fundamental principles of the regulation of nutrient regulation by metabolites and endocrine mechanisms. (15-75 min lectures on endocrinology, amino acids and protein). In addition, the team of faculty participate in student discussions compelling attendance the full semester.
PHYSIO 571 (Graduate Course) ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY. Mammalian cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal systems. (6 50 min lectures on GI tract physiol.)
ANSC 502 (Graduate Course) SCIENTIFIC SCHOLOARSHIP AND GRANSMANSHIP 30 50 min discussions on scholarship plus writing of student grants (planned for fall 1994 and each year after).
ANSC 300 (Undergraduate Course). INTEGRATED ANIMAL BIOLOGY (12 50 min lectures). Fundamentals of hormone regulation of animal growth.
ANSC 590 (Graduate Course) COLLOQUIUM. As part of the weekly departmental seminar series, graduate students make scientific presentations that are evaluated by faculty and peers resulting in a course grade.
BIOL 479 (Undergraduate Course). GENERAL ENDOCRINOLOGY. (28 75 min lectures). Human system endocrinology.
Scholastic and Professional Honors
1983-1989 Editorial Board - J. Dairy Science Endocrine Regulations
1986 & 1990 USDA Competitive Biotech. Grants (Growth & Development) Review Panel Panel Mgr. for 1993. Ad Hoc Reviewer for -Biotechnology Competitive Grants
1985-1989 Growth & Development all years except panel service years.
1985-1991 NIH Ad Hoc Reviewer for Child Health and Human Development
1986-1988 College peer review committee
Pennsylvania Research Corp. Peer review committee 1987, Chairman 1988,1989.
Ad Hoc Reviewer of J.Anim.Sci, J. Dairy Sci., Endocrinology, J. Endocrinol., Dom. Anim. Endocrinol., Am. J. Physiol., Biol. Neonate, J. Dairy Res., others (approximately 15-20/yr.)
Guest Editor, 2014. Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia.
Professional Affiliations and Honors
1971-1973 NDEA Title IV Fellow
1973 American Dairy Science Association
1982 American Society for Animal Science
1978 American Society for Cell Biology
1984 Endocrine Society
1992-1994 American Institute of Nutrition
International Society for Insulin-like Growth Factor Research
Panels, Committees, and Service
NSF Panel - Signal Transduction and Cellular Regulation (Fall03)
Panel Manager for USDA NRICGP Growth and Development 1993. Selected panel participants, selected reviewers (3 panel and 3 ad hoc) for each of 121 proposals, managed panel during 4 day deliberations, dispersed $5,000,000 in funds to 31 proposal awardees, made written recommendations for alterations to program and wrote final summation report and recommendation for 1994 panel manager.
University Isotope Committee (member1987- 2001; Chairman 2002-2010). Review requests for isotope use and chair quarterly meeting. Sign-off on all isotope application, referee violation considerations, and meet with the NRC officials when requested.
Graduate Officer for Graduate Program in Animal Science (1990-1998) and Chair of the Graduate Program and Admission Committee (1998-2010 ). Provide guidance and suggestions to the Graduate Program and Admissions Committee. Other miscellaneous duties.
College Promotion and Tenure Committee (1994). Review 28 dociaes and make recommendations to the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences.
Department Web Committee (1994-2003) Designed, wrote, and implemented the first Dairy and Animal Science Web site. Generally, supervised the alterations that occur by the use of wage-payroll undergraduates.
Department of Dairy and Animal Science Department Head Advisory Committee (1993-94; 2001-present). Advise potential departmental actions of the Department Head.
Organizational International Committee on Milk Hormones. Planned, solicited major funding and directed the IV International Meeting on Milk Hormones. 1993 in Slovakia.
Chairman and sole financial organizer for the V International Meeting on Milk Hormones. 1996 in Slovakia. Solicited funds ($19,000; NIH, USDA, and Industry funds) to support all costs of the meeting and wrote Web page.
Organizer of the Wilderness Conference. (1987-Present). Organized an annual invited meeting whose topic is Mammary Gland Biology and wrote Web page.
Served on a number of Society Committees such as the Milk Synthesis Committee (ADSA), Placement Committee (ASAS), and Physiology Committee (ADSA).
Department Information Technology Committee (1998-present). Chair of committee 2002-present.
Hosted Visiting or Returning Faculty
Dr. Stuart Patton. Professor Emeritus, Penn State University and Adjunct Professor at the University of California, San Diego. Since 1990, Dr Patton has spent Summer months in the laboratory conducting experiments on milk and lactation projects. We currently are jointly developing preliminary data that will lead to a proposal focused upon Calcitonin in Cow's Milk.
Dr. Frank Keri, Research Scientist at NIH, Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC. Dr. Keri has been in the laboratory since Sept. 1, 1992 and will depart at the end of May, 1993. He has been developing methods and concepts that impact the dietary effects of milk hormones and growth factors upon the laboratory rodent gastrointestinal tract.
Dr. Jurg W. Blum, Professor of Nurtitional Physiology, University of Bern, visiting scientist Oct to Dec., 1993. Dr. Blum is a research veterinarian and professor at the University of Bern, Switzerland. We continue to have research collaboration between of respective laboritories.
Dr. Josef Skarda, Ph.D. Czech National Academy of Science. Prague, CZ. Visiting scientist from April through August 1997. Preliminary data is being compiled that identify critical components of the IGF System in mammary gland biology that are regulated by steroid hormones in the process of mammogenesis. We anticipate submission of a proposal to an Eastern European support agency.
Dr. Pierre Cronjé, Ph.D. Professor from the University of Pritoria, South Africa. Cockran Fellow visiting scientist, November, 1997. Dr. Cronjé is in the laboratory to learn techniques in the measurement of IGF system compoents. Specifically, IGFBP, RIA for IGF-I and -II as well as radioreceptor studies for the type I and -II IGF receptors.
