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Animal Science Faculty

Our faculty are a unique blend of researchers, educators and professionals who are proven experts in their fields.

Please visit our emeritus faculty page to view profiles of retired Animal Science faculty.

Amer AbuGhazaleh, Professor

Animal Science

Dr. AbuGhazaleh has a PhD in dairy science from South Dakota State University. After completing his PhD, Dr. AbuGhazaleh worked as a research scientist in the Department of Animal Science at Clemson University, South Carolina.



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Amer AbuGhazaleh

Office Phone: 618-453-1767
aabugha@siu.edu
Office: Agriculture Building, Room 119

Gary Apgar, Professor

Animal Science

Dr. Apgar received his graduate degrees from Virginia Tech in ‘91 and ’94 in swine nutrition. 



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Gary Apgar

Office Phone: 618-453-1763
pigguy@siu.edu
Office: Agriculture Building, Room 125

John Farrish, Assistant Professor

Dr. John Farrish is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition. He teaches a variety of courses in Hospitality Management, including Food and Labor Cost Control and Facilities Management. Dr. Farrish had a twenty-five-year career in the hospitality industry, managing food and beverage operations in major hotels in both San Francisco and Las Vegas as well as in independent restaurants. After leaving the hospitality industry Dr. Farrish earned his Ph.D. degree at the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.



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Dr. John Farrish

Quigley Hall, 209 A
Office: 618-453-5192
Dept: 618-453-3307
john.farrish@siu.edu

Eduardo Gastal, Professor

Animal Science

Dr. Gastal’s interests are focused on fundamental and applied studies in animal reproduction. In his studies, he uses the mare and cow as primary animal models and small ruminants. His research program's goals focus on advancing knowledge of mechanisms for improving reproductive efficiency, inducing contraception, and overcoming health-reproductive issues caused by obesity and aging in these animal species.



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Eduardo Gastal

Office Phone: 618-453-1774
egastal@siu.edu 
Office: Agriculture Building, Room 129

Karen Jones, Professor

Animal Science

Dr. Jones arrived at SIUC in 1999 after completing her doctoral training at Texas A and M University.



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Karen Jones

Office Phone: 618-453-2496
kljones@siu.edu 
Office: Agriculture Building, Room 178

Jayakrishnan Nair, Assistant Professor

Animal Science

Dr. Jay specializes in beef cattle nutrition, forage production, and management. Research at Nair’s Lab focuses on expanding the understanding of nutrient utilization and metabolism of beef cattle, improving production efficiency, and reducing the environmental footprint of beef operations through sustainable beef production systems

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Jayakrishnan Nair Office Phone: 618-453-7105
jay.nair@siu.edu
Office: Agriculture Building, Room 115

 

Erin Perry, Professor

Animal Science

Dr. Perry is an award-winning scientist and author with more than a decade of research experience investigating working canine health and performance. She has been a canine search specialist for the Federal Emergency Management Agency for more than 20 years. She is a tenured professor and an invited speaker on working canine health and performance at both national and international conferences. Dr. Perry has served on the DoD Military Working Canine Research Forum Steering Committee, the US Joint Forces NORTHCOMM Canine Decontamination Working Group, the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation Review panel and as a consultant for various law enforcement and emergency response agencies. Dr. Perry’s canine research program focuses on challenges faced by working dogs in operational conditions.



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Erin Perry

Office Phone: 618-453-1358
erin.perry@siu.edu
Office: Agriculture Building, Room 131

Stephanie Speiser, Senior Lecturer

Animal Science

Stephanie left the family farm to pursue a career with horses.  She received her Master of Animal Science specializing in Equine Reproduction from SIU in 2000.  Prior to attending SIU, she was professionally employed in various aspects of the horse industry.



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Stephanie Speiser

Office Phone: 618-453-1773
sspeiser@siu.edu 
Office: Agriculture Building, Room 113

List of all Emeritus Faculty


Our Emeritus Faculty
Name Title Email Bio
William Banz Professor Emeritus banz@siu.edu Ph.D. 1995, University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Dr. Banz's specialization is in Nutrition Physiology, focusing primarily on the relationship amongst the bioactive agricultural components of functional foods, health and gene-nutrient interaction. 
School of Agricultural Sciences | College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences | 618-453-2329 |