Research & Discovery

August 4, 2021 | Michelle Lewis, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources

Cindy Tian Named Interim Department Head of Animal Science

International expert in embryology and biotechnology, Tian takes the helm at the end of August 2021

Xiuchun 'Cindy' Tian stands next to a roadsign bearing the name of her late husband, UConn researcher Jerry Yang, who is known for his pioneering work in animal cloning. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Xiuchun 'Cindy' Tian stands next to a roadsign bearing the name of her late husband, UConn researcher Jerry Yang, who is known for his pioneering work in animal cloning. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Xiuchun ‘Cindy’ Tian, professor of Animal Science at UConn, will take the helm as interim head of the Department of Animal Science later this month.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Tian has agreed to serve in this critical role for the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources,” says Dean Indrajeet Chaubey. “Her experience, expertise, and dedication to excellence in teaching, research, and extension outreach will be assets to the department during this transition.”

Tian will serve a one-year term as interim department head while the department undergoes a national search to fill the position permanently. This transition comes as Steven Zinn returns to faculty after over 10 years as head of the department.

“On behalf of the Department of Animal Science and CAHNR as a whole, I’d like to thank Dr. Zinn for his many years of service and dedication to his colleagues, students, and the UConn community,” says Chaubey.

Tian is an internationally recognized scientist, with research focused on improving bovine reproductive efficiency. She maintains an active lab with over $1 million in funding since 2015 from the USDA-ARS. Tian serves as a governor of the International Embryo Technology Society, a section editor for BMC Developmental Biology, and editorial board member for the Journal of Reproduction and Development and PLoS ONE.

Tian has completed a number of high-profile projects during her tenure at UConn, including creating the first cloned calf in North America alongside her late husband Jerry Yang and serving as an expert on the award-winning UConn Extension GMO project. She is also a dedicated educator, having served as an advisor for dozens of undergraduate and graduate students and teaching courses related to embryology and biotechnology.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as an administrative leader and advocate for the programs and people in the department,” says Tian. “We will continue the traditions of excellence and success that the department has enjoyed for decades, with an eye to our future and where we are headed.”

 

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