Whitney Crossland, an assistant professor with Texas Tech University's Department of Animal & Food Sciences, has been honored with the Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science's 2023 Outstanding Young Alumni Award. The honor was presented in late April by longtime mentor Andy Herring, interim chair of the Texas A&M department of Animal Science in College Station. 

“This department built me,” Crossland said. “I owe my success to many professors for all the opportunities I was given as a student. You made me expect more from myself. It's a debt that I can never repay. So, all I can do is pay it forward to the next generation.”

The award recognizes a graduate of department who is 12 years or less post-graduation and who has, early in their career, attained prominence and has brought honor to the department of animal science and the field of animal science. 

An expert in animal health and nutritional systems, Crossland's research program focuses on beef cattle health and nutrition. Her work has primarily featured antibiotic alternatives for the control of liver abscesses in the feedlot. Most notably, her work has demonstrated for the first time ever, that the bacterial DNA isolated from these infections is also the primary bacterial DNA identified in healthy liver contemporaries. 

Other areas of her research program involve modulation of the immune response through nutritional strategies that bolster antioxidant capacity; as well as strategic nutritional management of replacement heifers utilizing native forages and regional feed commodities. She has authored more than 35 peer-reviewed articles and abstracts and secured more than $350,000 in research funding.  

Prior to joining the Tech faculty in 2018, the Denton native served as a lecturer and graduate teaching assistant in Texas A&M-College Station's Department of Animal Science. During her doctoral program she also worked with her husband at Crossland Cattle Company to maintain a Red Angus based seed-stock operation. 

Crossland received her bachelor's degree in animal science, along with a master's degree and doctorate in animal science ruminant nutrition all from Texas A&M University-College Station. During her doctoral program, Crossland was awarded the Willie May Harris Fellowship for Outstanding Teaching Assistants, the NCBA W. D. Farr Scholarship, and Texas Cattle Feeders Association Scholarships. 

At Texas Tech, Crossland advises the university's Block & Bridle Club, the Academic Quadrathlon Team, and mentors several undergraduate research scholars. Recent honors include receiving the Texas Tech University Alumni Association New Faculty Award (2021) and the Hemphill Wells New Faculty Teaching Award (2022).

CONTACT: Clint Krehbiel, Dean, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or Clint.Krehbiel@ttu.edu

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