TOM SPENCER RECEIVES 2003 YOUNG ANIMAL SCIENCE RESEARCH AWARD

COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Tom Spencer, assistant professor of animal science at Texas A&M University, has been selected to receive the 2003 Young Animal Science Research award by his colleagues in the southern United States.

Spencer will receive the award – which honors him for excellence in reproductive biology research – at the annual Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists animal science section meeting on Feb. 2-4 in Mobile, Ala. The award recognizes the work of animal science researchers who are under the age of 40.

He also was invited to present his research findings at the Triennial Reproduction Symposium at the American Society of Animal Science and Dairy Science meeting in Phoenix in June.

“Achieving an award of this honor means a great deal, because of my roots in animal science,” Spencer said. “The award and speaking invitation fuels my interest and excitement about research at Texas A&M.”

Dr. Gary Williams, professor of reproductive physiology research with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, nominated Spencer, whose research focuses on understanding the physiological, hormonal, cellular and molecular functions of the uterus in sheep and pigs. His research has many applications to all classes of livestock and humans, Williams said.

Spencer’s findings could give producers the tools to solve three major problems in livestock: infertility, pregnancy loss and intrauterine growth problems, Williams said.

-30-