Principal Investigator (PI)
James N. Derr, PhD
Dr. James N. Derr is a professor of veterinary pathobiology and genetics at Texas A&M University. He is the director of the DNA Technologies Core Laboratory in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS). He has previously served as chair of the Texas A&M Faculty of Genetics & Genomics (FoG2) and president of the Texas Genetics Society.
Research
For more than 25 years, he has directed worldwide research projects in wildlife and livestock conservation genomics. This work has produced over 75 scientific publications reporting original research on many species. His research program has produced articles on North American bison, African lions, bottlenose dolphins, domestic and wild cats, elk, pronghorn antelope, sheep, quail, white-tailed and mule deer, bowhead whales, domestic livestock, and multiple fish species. These projects have been funded through international, federal, state, non-governmental, and private sources.
Education
In addition, Dr. Derr is an impactful educator through his teaching efforts in undergraduate genetics courses to students interested in medicine (human and veterinary). He has mentored over 100 graduate students in conservation/population genetics/genomics and animal health.
His Education Abroad course is designed for first- and second-year veterinary students to travel to South Africa to learn how to immobilize, treat, and transport various species. His efforts with these young veterinarians ensure they graduate with specialized knowledge and skills to handle health care and conservation issues with the tremendous number of exotic wildlife species on private ranches and preserves worldwide.