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Animal Sciences Department

Animal Sciences Department

Peter J. Hansen

Distinguished Professor & L.E. "Red" Larson Professor

Dr. Hansen joined the faculty at Florida as an assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984 and transferred to the Dairy Science Department (now Animal Sciences) in 1986. His formal education was at the University of Illinois and University of Wisconsin.  He received postdoctoral training in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Florida and spent a sabbatical leave at the University of Guelph.

Programs

  • Research

    Research Summary

    The overall research goal is to understand determinants of pregnancy success in ruminants. Much of the current effort is devoted to understanding how maternally-derived regulatory molecules (called embryokines) regulate programming of the preimplantation embryo. Among the molecules studied are the cytokine colony-stimulating factor 2 and the WNT antagonist dickkopf-1. Another area of focus is identification of genes controlling fertility including those that affect development of the preimplantation embryo.

    Research is also conducted to elucidate the cellular and molecular processes by which cellular stress disrupts embryonic function and the intercellular defense systems that embryos use to limit these effects. Additional studies are being conducted to elucidate the genetic basis for breed and individual differences in regulation in body temperature and cellular resistance to elevated temperature.

    Applied studies have used the knowledge gained from studies of embryo physiology to develop new management strategies for increasing dairy cattle fertility. Most of the recent effort in this area has been directed towards improving efficiency of embryo transfer schemes with the goal of improving the utility of this procedure for reducing infertility caused by heat stress and other causes.  

  • Teaching

    Courses Taught

    • ANS 6313 – Current Concepts in Reproductive Biology
    • ANS 6751 – Physiology of Reproduction
    • PCB 6816 – Thermal Physiology

Dr. Hansen's Headshot

Contact

PO Box 110910
Gainesville, FL 32611
352-294-6849

2250 Shealy Dr.
Gainesville, FL 32611
pjhansen@ufl.edu
P.J. Hansen's Lab
Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology Program

  • Education

    Education:

    • 1983, Ph.D. (Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology), University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (E.R. Hauser, Major Professor)
    • 1980, M.S. (Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology), University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (E.R. Hauser, Major Professor)
    • 1978,  B.S. (Agriculture), High Honors, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL

    Academic Positions Since Final Degree:

    • Present Position, Distinguished Professor and L.E. "Red" Larson Professor, Department of Animal Sciences and Affiliate Professor, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
    • August, 1993-March, 2010; Professor, Dairy Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
    • August, 1989-August, 1993; Associate Professor, Dairy Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
    • July, 1986-August, 1989; Assistant Professor, Dairy Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
    • 1988-1996; Associated Graduate Faculty, Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
    • July, 1985-July 1986;  Assistant Professor, Department of Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
    • September, 1984-July, 1985; Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
    • April, 1983-September, 1984; Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL .
  • Publications
  • Professional Service and Awards

    Professional Memberships

    • Society for the Study of Reproduction (President 2022-2023)
    • International Embryo Transfer Society (President 2013-2014)
    • International Congress of Animal Reproduction (President, 2012-2016)
    • American Society for Reproductive Immunology (President 2004-2006)
    • American Dairy Science Association
    • American Society of Animal Science

    Editorships

    • CABI Agriculture & Bioscience
    • Reproduction
    • Frontiers in Genetics
    • Plos One

    Honors and Awards

    • 2022 L.E. Casida Award for Graduate Education, American Society of Animal Science
    • 2022 Distinguished Service Award, International Embryo Technology Society
    • 2021 Distinguished Fellow, Society for the Study of Reproduction
    • 2020 Award of Honor, Southern Section of the American Dairy Science Association
    • 2017 Fellow, American Society of Animal Science
    • 2014 Research Award, Society for the Study of Reproduction
    • 2013 American Journal of Reproductive Immunology Award, American Society for Reproductive Immunology     
    • 2012 Mentor of the Year, International Embryo Transfer Society Morula Student Organization
    • 2010 Trainee Mentoring Award, Society for the Study of Reproduction
    • 2010 Land O’Lakes Award, American Dairy Science Association
    • 2010 Distinguished Service Award, American Society for Reproductive Immunology
    • 2009 Fellow, American Dairy Science Association