Amy Petry, an expert in nutritional physiology, has been named an assistant professor in Texas Tech University's Department of Animal and Food Sciences, according to officials within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. She officially stepped into her new teaching and research post on Dec. 1.

The Texas native indicated that her research program broadly focuses on improving the health, welfare, and production of swine through research in nutritional physiology, while also training future leaders for successful careers in academia and/or industry. The major focus of her research is investigating the impact of non-nutritive functions of dietary ingredients and feed additives on monogastric physiology, and various strategies to improve the health and production of swine.

One of her primary goals at Tech is to cultivate a multidisciplinary research program that works in collaboration with industry to help solve critical problems facing pork producers through innovative science. Additionally, through her teaching efforts, she aims to foster an enthusiastic and creative classroom that implements cooperative group-based learning strategies that promotes the practice of soft skills among students.

Prior to taking her new position, Petry served as Applied Swine Nutrition Lab Manager and graduate research assistant at Iowa State University. At Iowa State, Petry was a USDA-AFRI National Needs Fellow where her research focused on investigating the modes of action of the exogenous enzyme xylanase in pigs fed corn-based fiber. This research pursuit aimed to improve a pig's utilization of fiber and reduce feed-cost for pork producers. She also worked as a graduate research and teaching assistant at Texas Tech from 2016-2017.

Her bachelor's degree in animal science and her master's degree in animal science - monogastric nutrition are from Texas Tech. Her doctorate in animal science (applied swine nutrition program) is from Iowa State University.

CONTACT: Amy Petry, Assistant Professor, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-3372 or Amy.Petry@ttu.edu