James E. Womack Memorial Symposium
Comparative Genomics: The Dark Genome, One Health,
& the Future of Clinical Veterinary Genomics
Doug Pitcock ’49 Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center
Presentation Videos
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Welcome & Introductions:
Dr. Loren Skow | Senior Professor | Texas A&M University
Dr. John August | The Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine | Texas A&M University
Invited Speaker – Dr. Harris Lewin
“Genomes in dialogue: The enduring impact of James E. Womack on comparative genomics”
Introduced by Dr. Lawrence Schook, University of Illinois
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Invited Speaker – Dr. William Murphy
“Comparative genomics illuminates the dark side of the genome”
Introduced by Dr. David Threadgill, Texas A&M University
Invited Speaker – Dr. Leif Andersson
“Comparative genetics of phenotypic diversity in domestic animals and natural populations”
Introduced by Dr. Max Rothschild, Iowa State University
Invited Speaker – Dr. Michel Georges
“The processes of de novo mutations in the bovine germline”
Introduced by Dr. Daniel Pomp, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Invited Speaker – Dr. Kathryn Meurs
“Moving from reactive to proactive medical care—the power of clinical genetics”
Introduced by Dr. Michael Criscitiello, VMBS Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies, Texas A&M University
Invited Speaker – Dr. Richard Gibbs
“Clinical Translation of Genomics to Advance Discovery”
Introduced by Dr. Loren Skow, Texas A&M University
Panel Discussion – Issues in Clinical Veterinary Genomics
Featuring Dr. Kathryn Meurs (moderator), Dr. Danika Bannasch, Dr. Gus Cothran, Dr. Brian Davis, Dr. Molly McCue, & Dr. Terje Raudsepp
Introduced by Dr. Michael Criscitiello
Learn More
The James E. Womack Memorial Symposium was co-sponsored by the following Texas A&M entities:
James E. Womack Memorial Symposium Organizing Committee
Dr. Loren Skow | Senior Professor | lskow@cvm.tamu.edu
Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences | Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS)
Dr. Penny Riggs | Associate Professor
Department of Animal Science | Texas A&M College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (COALS)
Dr. David Threadgill | Department Head & Distinguished Professor
Department of Nutrition | Texas A&M COALS
Dr. Leif Andersson | Professor & Hagler Fellow (2013–14)
Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences | Texas A&M VMBS
Dr. Harris Lewin | Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Department of Evolution and Ecology | College of Biological Sciences | University of California–Davis
Dr. Stephen O’Brien | Professor
Department of Biological Sciences | Halmos College of Arts and Sciences | Nova Southeastern University
Dr. Holly Neiberg | Professor
Department of Animal Science | College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences | Washington State University
