Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam is an Animal Genomics and Biotechnology Cooperative Extension Specialist in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis. She received a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from the University of Melbourne, and an MS and PhD from UC Davis. She has developed an internationally-recognized research program in animal breeding and genetics, with a particular emphasis on beef cattle. She conducts both basic laboratory and applied field research on topics ranging from genome editing to validation of DNA tests, along with work to ensure regulatory policy allows access to innovative breeding technologies. However, her career accomplishments far exceed her research output. She has given over 600 presentations translating her research to stakeholder groups with skill and passion. She is a fellow of AAAS and was the recipient of the prestigious 2014 CAST Borlaug Communication Award. She and her husband Joel have two sons, Kyle and Alec.