I am from Eugene, Missouri, a small town just a few minutes south of Jefferson City. Showing pigs through 4-H and FFA ignited my fire for agriculture and livestock judging at a young age. As much as I enjoyed showing, my interest always fell more on the side of getting them fed and ready for exhibition. That interest was the light of my path towards a degree in Monogastric Nutrition. I received my Bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University with a major in Animal Sciences and Industry and a business option.  While there, I was on the National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation team and Reserve National Champion Livestock Judging team, where I was fortunate enough to be named an All-American. After graduation from Kansas State, I worked as a research associate for United Animal Health, Inc. in Sheridan, IN.

The biggest impact on my decision to attend the University of Illinois, and Dr. Stein’s lab in particular, was the people at United Animal Health, Inc. While there I was exposed to commercial-based research (diet formulation, protocol development, etc.) with more of a production and practical approach. I quickly realized that I needed to strengthen my science background to excel, and what better place to do that than the University of Illinois with Dr. Stein.

I am honored and grateful to be a part of Dr. Stein’s prestigious nutrition team. I look forward to the opportunity to conduct research with such a gifted group of people from all over the world. Joseph got his M. S. degree in June 2020. Currently, he works as an Associate Territory Manager with United Animal Health.