Peter J. Hansen

Dr. Peter J. Hansen is a Distinguished Professor and L.E. 'Red' Larson Professor in the Animal Sciences Department at the University of Florida. He joined the faculty in 1984 as an assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and transitioned to the Dairy Science Department (now Animal Sciences) in 1986. His research focuses on understanding factors affecting pregnancy success in ruminants, particularly how maternal-derived molecules and nutrients influence embryo development. He has also explored applications of this knowledge to improve embryo transfer efficiency, especially under heat stress conditions.

Education: Dr. Hansen holds degrees from the University of Illinois and University of Wisconsin, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Florida's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Collaborations include work at the University of Guelph during a sabbatical.

Research Interests: His studies center on embryokines (e.g., WNT5A, DKK1), nutrient programming (e.g., choline), and stress responses in embryos. Key themes include molecular mechanisms of embryo competence, genetic basis for thermal tolerance, and translational strategies to enhance livestock fertility.

Publications: Over 300+ articles highlight his expertise in bovine embryology, heat stress physiology, and assisted reproductive technologies. Recent work emphasizes CRISPR applications, biomarker discovery for pregnancy success, and metabolic programming effects.

Awards: Recognized as a Distinguished Professor and holder of the L.E. 'Red' Larson Professorship. His contributions to reproductive biology and livestock science are widely acknowledged in the field.

Labs & Teams: Directs the UF Bovine Embryo Laboratory and contributes to the Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology Program. His team develops cutting-edge techniques in embryo culture and genomic editing.