Dr. Pamela Ruegg (D.V.M., M.P.V.M.) has been named chair of the Michigan State University (MSU) department of animal science. Ruegg will start at the beginning of the spring 2018 semester.

She replaces Dr. Janice Swanson (Ph.D.), who has served more than seven years as chair of the department. Swanson will return to research and teaching.

“Dr. Ruegg joins a strong animal science department and will continue the work done by those who have laid the groundwork for success,” said Ron Hendrick, dean of the MSU College of Agriculture & Natural Resources.

Ruegg is a professor and extension milk quality specialist in the department of dairy science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She received her undergraduate degree and doctor of veterinary medicine from MSU. She completed a residency in food animal herd health and reproductive management and master of preventive veterinary medicine at the University of California-Davis.

Prior to joining the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ruegg spent time in private practice and in academic faculty positions at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as in corporate technical service.

Ruegg is active in a number of industry organizations and is a past president of the National Mastitis Council. Her extension program is focused on developing programs that help farmers maintain healthy cows and improving milk quality and safety on dairy farms.

She has received a number of awards for research and extension programs. She also maintains a popular milk quality website with a goal of providing practical tools and resources to help farmers, consultants and veterinarians.

Ruegg’s research interests are focused on using epidemiological techniques to solve critical issues related to animal health and milk quality. She enjoys bridging the gap between research and practical applications on dairy farms.