American Dairy Science Association

American Society of Animal Science

Canadian Society of Animal Science

July 21-25, 2002 - 2002 Joint Annual Meeting - Quebec City, Canada

Johnson awarded 2002 Animal Growth and Development Award

Dr. Rodney W. Johnson is the recipient of the 2002 Animal Growth and Development award. The award, sponsored by Roche Vitamins, Inc., will be presented during the Awards Ceremony on Monday evening as part of the American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting, July 21-25 in Quebec City.

Johnson received his B.S. from Truman State University and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois. After a postdoctoral fellowship at Iowa State University, he joined the Department of Animal Sciences at Illinois in 1993, where he is now an associate professor of integrative biology.

Dr. Johnson has made unique and cutting-edge contributions to animal science by showing that the immune system regulates the biology of animal growth and development. Dr. Johnson’s group demonstrated that mice with a specific genetic defect are refractory to the behavioral and metabolic effects of E. coli lipopolysaccharide injected either into the periphery or into the brain. He showed that this refractoriness is caused by an inability to secrete cytokines, such as interleukin-1b. Johnson and his students then demonstrated that the immune system tells the brain to regulate feed intake, in part, by stimulating leptin production in adipocytes. Dr. Johnson and his students have now extended these findings to show that cytokines inhibit feed intake and skeletal muscle protein accretion in pigs.

Dr. Johnson has authored or co-authored 46 peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Johnson’s expertise is recognized worldwide, having been invited to present major lectures all over North America and Europe. As testament to the novelty, quality, and broad appeal of his research, Johnson has been recognized with young investigator awards from three different national societies.

The Animal Growth and Development Award recognizes basic or applied research excellence in any phase of growth or development of animals. The winner receives a monetary reward and plaque.

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