Hinrichs Named To Patsy Link Chair In Reproductive Studies
COLLEGE STATION, April 3, 2006 – Dr. Katrin Hinrichs, professor of veterinary physiology and pharmacology in Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, has been named the first Patsy Link Chair in Mare Reproductive Studies following an international search. The chair is part of an endowment established in 1995 by Texan H. Patsy Link to support equine programs at Texas A&M.
Hinrichs received her Bachelor of Science in 1976 and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1978 from the University of California at Davis. She completed a residency in Large Animal Reproduction at New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania in 1984, and served as a Lecturer there for an additional four years while completing her Ph.D. at the University. Hinrichs was on the faculty at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine from 1988-1998, and then joined the faculty at Texas A&M.
Hinrichs is head of the college’s Equine Embryo Laboratory. She holds a joint appointment in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and is a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists. Her research centers on the physiology of the oocyte and fertilization in the horse, including factors affecting the efficiency of nuclear transfer (cloning) in this species.
Hinrichs is known internationally for her work in equine reproduction. She is the author of widely referenced papers on the hormonal requirements for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in the mare, on equine oocyte maturation, and on equine embryo development in vitro. In 2005, Dr. Hinrichs’ laboratory produced the first cloned horse in North America – the third in the world. Her research is specifically in line with Mrs. Patsy Link’s expectations for this endowment, according to members of the Reproductive Biology Signature Program Search Committee who enthusiastically endorsed Hinrichs for this chair position.
Named Theriogenologist of the Year in 2003 by the American College of Theriogenologists, Hinrichs was also the recipient of the Richard H. Davis Teaching Award in 2001 from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M, which is presented to faculty members who show an outstanding ability and interest as a teacher.
Hinrichs is in great demand as an international, national, regional, and local speaker on equine reproduction, and has made approximately100 presentations at conferences and symposiums across the United States and abroad.
Hinrichs currently serves on the Biotechnology Committee of the American College of Theriogenologists and on the International Equine Reproduction Symposia Committee. She is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, American College of Theriogenologists, International Embryo Transfer Society, Society for the Study of Reproduction, and Society for Theriogenology.
She is an Ad Hoc Reviewer for numerous professional publications including Biology of Reproduction, Reproduction, American Journal of Veterinary Research, Equine Veterinary Journal, Journal of Animal Science, and Theriogenology. Hinrichs is currently a member of the Biotechnology/Assisted Reproductive Techniques question development team of the American College of Theriogenologists, and has served on the Editorial Boards of the journals Theriogenology and Animal Reproduction (Journal of the Brazilian College of Animal Reproduction).
Hinrichs serves as the principal investigator on four currently funded research projects in areas dealing with equine oocyte maturation, fertilization, embryo development, and nuclear transfer. She has served as principal investigator on 15 previously funded research projects centered on equine reproduction.
Additionally, Hinrichs has published 72 refereed journal articles for a number of prestigious publications including: Biology of Reproduction, Reproduction, Theriogenology, Journal of the Veterinary Medical Association, and Zygote. She has authored 67 reviews, non-refereed publications, proceedings, and abstracts in publications such as Reproductive Fertility and Development, Cloning and Stem Cells, Theriogenology, and the Proceedings of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Hinrichs has also authored numerous book chapters.
This is the first time that two endowed Chairs in mare and stallion reproductive studies have existed simultaneously within a college. “Dr. Dickson Varner was appointed the first Pin Oak Stud Chair in Stallion Reproductive Studies in 2001, and now Dr. Hinrichs joins him as the Link Endowed Chair in Mare Reproductive Studies,” said Dr. William Moyer, Department Head of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. “This attests to the high caliber of the equine reproduction research and clinical programs that exist at Texas A&M University.”
“The college is extremely proud of Dr. Hinrichs’ remarkable accomplishments in equine medicine and reproduction, which led to her being named the first recipient of the Patsy Link Chair,” said H. Richard Adams, dean of the college. “Dr. Hinrichs is a tremendous asset to our college, the university, and the field of equine reproductive sciences.”
Hinrichs said, “It is truly an honor to be appointed as the first Patsy Link Chair in Mare Reproduction. I am grateful that Mrs. Link thought enough of horses, A&M, and the future of equine medicine to endow the University and make this position and related equine studies possible. This will give me the resources to continue the research I love and that I feel is so important.”
The Patsy Link Endowed Chair in Mare Reproductive Studies will support advancements in the field of veterinary medicine as well as in basic understanding of mammalian reproduction, and will help in further development of an innovative clinical, teaching, outreach, and research program in equine reproduction studies.
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