George Smith, MSU animal science professor and co-director of the MSU Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, will serve as acting associate director of MSU AgBioResearch beginning July 1.
In his new part-time role, Smith will provide leadership to MSU AgBioResearch in the animal science research portfolio, oversight of the Office of Research Support, and the overall leadership and operation of the organization.
This past year, Smith served as a leadership intern under immediate past MSU AgBioResearch associate director John Baker, who was recently named dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
“This is a natural progression and an exciting next step for our organization,” said MSU AgBioResearch director Douglas Buhler. “I look forward to building upon the strong foundation George has already begun to establish with our vast network of researchers and research facilities.”
In addition to his new responsibilities, Smith will continue his research, which focuses on the fundamental mechanisms that control ovarian function and contribute to egg quality in cattle as a biological model for reproduction in economically important agricultural species, as well as in human medicine.
Smith obtained his doctoral and master’s degrees, both in physiology of reproduction, from the University of Missouri, and his bachelor of science in animal science from the University of Idaho.