Aberle named fellow of animal science society

Elton D. “Abe” Aberle, dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UW–Madison, has been named a fellow of the American Society of Animal Science.

As Dean of CALS, Aberle leads approximately 1,200 faculty and staff, and oversees an annual budget of roughly $110 million. The college enrolls more than 1,000 graduate and 2,200 undergraduate students. In addition to its research and instructional roles, CALS has a strong extension and outreach mission, with 12 agricultural research stations across the state. It also enrolls 130 students in its farm and industry short course.

Aberle headed the Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska before coming to Wisconsin in 1998. Under his leadership at Nebraska, the department redirected its programs and curricula, preserving core areas in the face of budget pressures and developing new programs in rumen microbiology and molecular genetics. He also led the development of a new Animal Sciences building at Nebraska.

Aberle was on the animal sciences faculty at Purdue University from 1967 to 1983. At Purdue, his research focused on meat quality and the growth of muscle and adipose tissue. His teaching included food chemistry, animal growth, and animal and carcass evaluation.

Established in 1908, the American Society of Animal Science is a professional organization for animal scientists designed to help members provide effective leadership through research, extension, teaching and service for the livestock and meat industries. ASAS aims to advance animal sciences research and education, through the exchange of scientific and technical information and applications to animal agriculture, public policy and public understanding.