Ott’s research focuses on animal food production, fertility regulation, immunology and the physiology of early pregnancy, with an emphasis on signaling among the embryo, uterus and circulating immune cells to better understand the biological processes that influence successful pregnancies.

He is the inventor or co-inventor of several U.S. patents and is actively engaged in efforts to commercialize diagnostic technologies that improve reproductive management and animal health. He has authored more than 100 scientific papers, review articles and book chapters and is co-editor of the textbook Reproductive Genomics in Domestic Animals.

The Society for the Study of Reproduction advances the science of reproduction, fertility and development to benefit humans and animals through interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific conferences and publication of its journal, Biology of Reproduction.

His work with organizations including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Genetic Resources Advisory Council reflects the respect he has earned throughout the scientific community and his commitment to advancing research, supporting fellow scientists and shaping the future of reproductive biology and agriculture, noted Rebecca Krisher, president of the Society and head of Penn State’s Department of Animal Science.

In his letter of support, another of Ott’s colleagues, Peter Hansen, distinguished professor and L.E. “Red” Larson Professor at the University of Florida, wrote that Ott is a natural leader who thinks clearly about problems and strategic vision.

“Troy brings attention to detail and discipline to everything he does,” Hansen said. “He treats people around him fairly and with empathy, but he is not afraid to insist that they achieve expectations. He keeps the organization moving forward and is not sidetracked into petty issues or squabbles; he treats people with respect.”

In accepting the award, Ott reflected on the mentors, colleagues and family members who shaped his decades of service to the Society for the Study of Reproduction and the broader scientific community.

“I am deeply honored — and truly grateful — to receive the Distinguished Leadership and Service Award,” Ott said. “Service is never a solitary achievement. This honor reflects the mentorship, friendship and collaboration of the many people who have encouraged and supported me throughout my career.”

Ott credited his mentors, animal scientists Fuller Bazer, Bill Thatcher, Skip Bartol, Peter Hansen, and Robert Burghardt, for encouraging him early in his career to embrace professional service. He also thanked his Penn State colleagues for their friendship, trust and collaboration; longtime colleague and mentor Joy Pate, professor emeritus of reproductive physiology, for encouraging him to pursue leadership roles; Krisher for nominating him for the award; and his wife, Colleen, for supporting him throughout his career.

Ott has served as dean of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences since June 2024. Before becoming dean, he was interim director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences and served for nine years as an associate director of the Huck Institutes. He joined the Penn State faculty in the Department of Animal Science in 2006.

Before returning to Penn State, he spent six years as a research scientist in the Center for Animal Biotechnology at Texas A&M University. He later served on the faculty in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Science at the University of Idaho.

A Penn State alumnus, Ott earned a bachelor’s degree in animal production from Penn State, a master’s degree in reproductive physiology from Auburn University and a doctoral degree in reproductive physiology from the University of Florida.

Ott, a longtime member of the Society for the Study of Reproduction who has served as its president, vice president and secretary, received the award during the organization’s annual meeting in Indianapolis in July.