MOSCOW, Idaho—University of Idaho lactation physiologist Mark McGuire, Animal and Veterinary Science Department head, will serve as interim director of the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station beginning Aug. 2 with the retirement of current director Donn Thill.
The station is based in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. McGuire joined the UI faculty in 1995 and has served as department head since 2012.
“Dr. McGuire has been a strong leader and supporter of animal agriculture in the state of Idaho,” said John Foltz, the college’s interim dean. “His success leading the department prepared him for leading the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station until wecomplete the search for a new director.”
The station director search is awaiting the outcome of a search for a College of Agricultural and Life Sciences dean, which is now under way.
McGuire’s research is focused around milk. Alterations in milk composition may enhance nutritional properties of bovine milk for the human consumer and may reduce the risk ofmastitis for the cow.
His research projectshave looked at topics as diverse as increasing the proportion of healthful components in dairy products and beef and their impacts on consumers, improving milk production through nutrition and technology, and identifying the microbiome of human and bovine milk.
He works closely with the dairy industry conducting research and training students for employment.
The United Dairymen of Idaho, Idaho Beef Council, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health have funded McGuire’s research.