Dean E. Hawkins
2001 Young Scientist Award
Donor: Cargill Animal Nutrition

Dean E. Hawkins grew up in the Texas Panhandle and graduated from Clarendon High School in 1980. He was active in 4-H and FFA through youth livestock projects. He enrolled in Clarendon College and completed the Associates Degree in 1982. He then enrolled at Texas Tech University and received the B.S. degree in Animal Science in 1984. While an undergraduate, Dean was a member of several winning judging teams. Dean was awarded the Outstanding Animal Science Senior and Outstanding Agriculture Senior awards while at Texas Tech. He remained at Tech, where he received the M.S. degree in 1986, under Dr. James Clark. He received the Ph.D. from Texas A&M in Reproductive Physiology in 1990 under Dr. David Forrest. While at A&M, he was awarded the A.M. “Tony” Sorenson award for outstanding research and teaching by a graduate student. Dean then went to Colorado State University as a NIH postdoctoral fellow under Drs. Gordon Niswender and Terry Nett. While at CSU, Dean was trained in molecular biology research techniques, which complemented his background in animal agriculture.

Dean joined the faculty at New Mexico State University in 1992 and assumed a teaching and research position. At NMSU, he has established a functional molecular biology laboratory. All of his Ph.D. students have obtained employment in academia prior to graduation. Six of the undergraduate students who conducted research in Dr. Hawkins' laboratory have gone on to Ph.D., M.D., or D.V.M programs. Dr. Hawkins has established international research collaboration with scientists from the University of Chihuahua, Mexico. Two scientists (one animal scientist and one chemist) from the University of Chihuahua have done sabbatical visits in Dean’s lab to learn molecular techniques. While at NMSU, he has received six grants, ranging from molecular biology and teaching to nutritional modulation of beef cow reproduction. Dr. Hawkins' teaching abilities have been recognized with the 1997 NACTA teaching award by the College of Agriculture and Home Economics at NMSU.

Dr. Hawkins has an excellent rapport with students. He has served as the faculty advisor for Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Block and Bridle, and the Collegiate Farm Bureau. He advises 50% of the preveterinary majors within the department and is active in college and departmental student recruitment.

Dean has been active in the WSASAS, serving on the academic quadrathlon committee from 1993 to 1998 and hosting the regional quadrathlon in 1994. Dr. Hawkins is also active on the W-112 research committee and served as its chair in 1997.

Along with his active schedule in research and teaching, Dr. Hawkins maintains a close and direct contact with the ranching industry. He consults for several ranches in the western United States. This has enabled him to witness the application of his research.

Dr. Hawkins has published 40 articles and proceedings papers. He has given 26 invited papers, nationally and internationally. During his career at NMSU, Dean has trained three Ph.D. students and seven M.S. students, and he currently advises two Ph.D. and one M.S. student.