UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Rebecca Krisher, global senior director of reproductive biology and gene editing for Genus plc Research and Development in DeForest, Wisconsin, has been named head of the Department of Animal Science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, effective Oct. 6.

Krisher has a wide range of professional experience working in reproductive biology and animal science, working both inside and outside academia. Before accepting her position at Genus Research and Development, she was research director for the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and associate professor and assistant professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Purdue University. She remains an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University.

“I am delighted that Dr. Krisher will be joining the college leadership team as head of Animal Science,” said Troy Ott, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. “I have known Rebecca for more than 20 years and have watched her rise among her scientific peers and be appointed to roles with increasing responsibility.”

Krisher said that she is excited to become a part of the great tradition of animal science at Penn State, adding that she looks forward to working with faculty and staff to engage with students and members of the community, resulting in the Department of Animal Science having an even greater impact on the lives of Pennsylvanians and the animal agriculture industry.

She succeeds Lisa Holden, interim department head and associate professor of dairy science.