Michael L. Looper

Michael L. Looper serves as Department Head and Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Arkansas, leading academic and research initiatives since September 2011. His leadership spans departmental administration, strategic planning, and fostering collaborations within agricultural academia and industry.

His educational foundation includes a Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology from Oklahoma State University, complemented by M.S. and B.S. degrees in Animal Science from the University of Arkansas. This academic trajectory established his expertise in physiological and production systems critical to livestock agriculture.

Dr. Looper's research integrates beef cattle production, reproductive physiology, and forage-livestock systems, with groundbreaking work on endophyte-infected tall fescue challenges. His investigations into genetic polymorphisms affecting cattle productivity and meat quality demonstrate a commitment to solving industry pain points through interdisciplinary approaches. Key themes include mitigating fescue toxicosis, optimizing grazing systems, and advancing genetic selection tools.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2012-2020) reveals consistent focus on applied solutions for beef producers. Dominant trends include fescue management strategies (60% of works), genetic markers for production traits (25%), and meat quality/industry assessment (15%). His collaborative approach spans soil science, nutrition, and economics, reflecting holistic problem-solving for sustainable livestock systems.

His distinguished accolades include the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers and USDA/ARS Herbert L. Rothbart Outstanding Early Career Research Scientist award. Additional honors comprise:

• Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association Producer Education Award
• Fellow for Administration, American Society of Animal Science
• Diplomat, American College of Animal Physiology
• USDA/ARS Southern Plains Area Early Career Research Scientist of the Year
• LEAD21 Leadership Program Fellow

As Department Head, Dr. Looper oversees curriculum development, faculty mentorship, and extension programming while teaching ANSC 4452 (Milk Production) and ANSC 5901 (Seminar). His leadership in the 2017 Arkansas Beef Cattle Industry Self-Assessment demonstrates commitment to bridging academic research with producer needs. Though specific grants aren't detailed, his extensive publication record and USDA/ARS research background indicate substantial extramural funding history supporting graduate training and field research.

His work drives innovation through cross-disciplinary teams addressing Arkansas-specific agricultural challenges, particularly in beef production systems where he collaborates with state cattlemen associations, USDA agencies, and multi-institutional research consortia to translate science into practical management solutions.