Deb Hamernik earned a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), MS in Animal Science from Washington State University, and Ph.D. in Reproductive Endocrinology from Colorado State University with postdoctoral studies in Molecular Endocrinology at Case Western Reserve University. Deb’s administrative career began as Program Director with the USDA CSREES (1997-2009) including two years as Scientific Review Officer at NIH. She was Associate Dean, Agricultural Research and Associate Director, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station from 2009-2018 and Associate Vice Chancellor for Research at UNL from 2018-2020 where she supported faculty research development and high-performing research teams. In July 2020, Deb joined the USDA NIFA as Director, Division of Animal Systems and in November 2020 was appointed Deputy Director, Institute of Food Production and Sustainability where she currently provides leadership for about half of NIFA’s competitive and capacity programs.