Merritt Drewery

Dr. Merritt Drewery is an Assistant Professor of Applied Animal Science at the Department of Agricultural Sciences within the College of Science and Engineering at Texas State University. A Texas native, she holds a BS (2010) and MS (2012) in Animal Science from Texas A&M University and a PhD in Nutrition and Food Sciences from Louisiana State University (2017). Her research focuses on sustainable beef cattle production through novel feed evaluation, including hemp and insect-based supplements, and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) to support underrepresented students in STEM. She teaches courses like AG 1110 (Careers in Agriculture) and AG 4326 (Advanced Animal Science – Ruminants).

Research Highlights: Dr. Drewery’s work explores hemp and black soldier fly larvae as sustainable protein sources, investigates consumer acceptance of insect-fed livestock, and evaluates microbial impacts of alternative feeds. She also emphasizes improving educational outreach to diversify agricultural sciences. Her lab contributes to initiatives like the Bobcat Blend and Global Ag Leaders programs, fostering student engagement and career readiness.

Awards & Grants: No scientific awards listed, though her research aligns with grants focusing on sustainable agriculture and STEM education equity. She has advised no listed students but leads service-learning projects to attract high school students to agricultural careers.

Labs & Teams: Active in the Department of Agricultural Sciences, she collaborates on the Small Producers Initiative and Fish Innovation Lab, promoting sustainable practices for small-scale farmers and aquaculture systems. Her work bridges animal science, nutrition, and education to address global agricultural challenges.