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• Updated Contact Info for Journal of Dairy Science Staff
  • Upcoming Meetings …
  • Positions Available …
    • Nutritional Biochemist
    • Assistant or Associate Professor
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In memoriam: James B. Russell, PhD

James B. “Jim” Russell died peacefully at his farm on September 20, 2009. Jim was born on June 30, 1951, in Livermore, California, to the late Lincoln A. and Mary Arlene (Murphy) Russell. In 1953, the Russell family came to New York and purchased the family farm, Burke Meadow Farm, near Manheim, New York. It was there that Russell acquired his lifelong love of dairy cows.

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In 1969, Russell entered the preveterinary program at Cornell University, but fascinated upon reading Robert Hungate's magnum opus, The Rumen and Its Microbes, he changed his major to microbiology. Upon graduation, Russell entered the graduate program in nutrition at the University of California–Davis. There he pursued his interest in developing quantitative models of ruminal digestion in the laboratory of Ransom (Lee) Baldwin, while also learning the fundamentals of rumen microbiology and strict anaerobe culture technique from Hungate himself. Russell's graduate work involved using continuous culture to determine the fundamental growth and fermentation parameters for 5 predominant species of ruminal bacteria. This pioneering work represents one of the first systematic applications of chemostat culture to the study of anaerobic microorganisms and not only yielded important data necessary to model the ruminal fermentation, but also demonstrated competition for nutrients as a driving force for feed utilization by ruminal bacteria.

In 1978, when he earned his PhD degree, Russell was recruited to the Department of Animal Science at the University of Illinois as an assistant professor. By this time, the university had become a world leader in the growing field of rumen microbiology through the research efforts of Marvin Bryant, Ralph Wolfe, and Meyer Wolin. Russell quickly established his research program at Illinois, but in 1981, eager to return to his roots, he took a newly created position as rumen microbiologist at the USDA–ARS in Ithaca, New York. This position was affiliated with the US Dairy Forage Research Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Russell's laboratory was located in the Department of Animal Sciences in Morrison Hall at Cornell University, and he held a faculty appointment there until 1991, when he moved to Wing Hall on the Cornell campus and transferred his faculty appointment to the Microbiology Department. Over the years, he trained more than 20 graduate students, most of who went on to careers in the ARS or in academic departments.

Russell was a highly productive scientist who authored more than 250 peer-reviewed articles, review articles, and book chapters, as well as the book, Rumen Microbiology and Its Role in Animal Nutrition. His contributions to the field of rumen microbiology were many and far-reaching. The common theme of his work was the balancing of catabolic and anabolic reactions by ruminal microflora and the role of ruminal microflora in animal performance and animal health. Along with his students, Russell worked at the biochemical, cellular, and population levels to develop the concept of energy spilling (the unproductive hydrolysis of ATP and dissipation of chemiosmotic gradients) and VFA anion toxicity. He elucidated the mode of action of several antimicrobial agents, particularly the ionophores, and characterized the production of several bacteriocins. He developed the concept and isolated the first examples of hyper ammonia-producing bacteria, an undesirable group of bacteria likely responsible for substantial unproductive loss of dietary protein, and he demonstrated their sensitivity to monensin, thereby partially explaining that agent's effect of increasing efficiency of feed utilization.

Russell was passionate about applying his research to the dairy industry and used the Russell dairy herd to test research concepts. He led the development of the rumen submodel of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System, among the most useful tools for dairy and beef producers and nutritional consultants for predicting performance. Russell identified the role of tricarballylic acid in grass tetany and isolated the histamine-producing Allisonella histaminiformans, a likely agent of laminitis. His work on the potential for hay feeding to attenuate the transmissibility of acidresistant Escherichia coli, published in Science, gained worldwide attention among nutritionists, microbiologists, news media, and the public. His work stimulated additional research by others and contributed to a debate that continues to this day.

Russell's work was recognized by his reception of the American Feed Industry Award (1993), his election to the American Academy of Microbiology (1999), and by his reception of the American Society of Animal Science Morrison Award (2008). Russell was particularly proud of this last award because his father was a Cornell undergraduate and a student in Morrison's nutrition class. Russell spent many years of service to his field as the general chair of the Conference on Rumen Function and as a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Dairy Science and Applied and Environmental Microbiology. He was frequently invited to give presentations at meetings and to prepare review papers regarding aspects of rumen microbiology. Russell was a popular and effective teacher known for his ability to explain complex phenomena in clear and simple terms.

Among his friends, Jim Russell was known for his dry humor and his uncompromising demands for rigorous logic and research excellence. He enjoyed the outdoors and particularly loved paddling his home-built kayak. We will miss his wisdom, intensity, and the long hours of great conversation. Jim is survived by his son, Aaron, of Rochester, New York.

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Updated Contact Info for Journal of Dairy Science Staff 

Beginning in January 2010, Elsevier Customer Service will be handling questions related to online journal access, account activation, and print issue delivery. If you have questions about account activation and online access, contact JournalsOnlineSupportusa@elsevier.com. If you have questions about print delivery and missing issues, contact JournalCustomerService-usa@elsevier.com. If you have specific questions about your account, contact our society coordinator at Elsevier: Julie McNutt, j.mcnutt@elsevier.com; 215-239-3684.

For general ADSA questions, contact Vicki Paden, ADSA administrative assistant, by e-mail: vickip@assochq.org or by phone: 217-356-5146 ext. 110, or Cara Tharp, ADSA executive assistant, by e-mail: carat@assochq.org or by phone: 217-356-5146 ext. 141

For journal policy questions, contact Susan Pollock, managing editor for JDS, by e-mail: susanp@assochq.org or phone: 217-356-3182 ext. 152.

For JDS style and form questions and manuscript submission requirements, contact a technical editor by e-mail: journals@assochq.org; and for Manuscript Central and JDS offprint questions, contact Jeremy Holzner by e-mail: jeremyh@assochq.org.

Upcoming Meetings … 

Fifth IDF International Mastitis Conference 2010, March 21–24, 2010, Christchurch Convention Centre, New Zealand. Hosted by the New Zealand Veterinary Association Foundation for Continuing Education, VetLearn, and held only once every 5 years, the International Mastitis Conference offers a unique opportunity to report on innovative research and other advances in the understanding of mastitis research and extension. The opportunities for putting forward your research and views to industry leaders and your peers both locally and globally, as well as collaboration and networking with your peers will be invaluable and we encourage early submission. Visit www.idfmastitis2010.com for more information.

Nineteenth Discover Conference on Food Animal Agriculture: Key Issues in the Sustainability of the Dairy Industry, May 11–14, 2010, Brown County Inn, Nashville, Indiana. Visit http://www.adsa.org/discover/19thDiscover_2010.htm for more information and to register.

The American Dairy Science Association^® (ADSA^®), the Poultry Science Association (PSA), the Asociación Mexicana de Producción Animal (AMPA), Canadian Society of Animal Science (CSAS), and the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) will hold their 2010 Joint Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, July 11–15. Visit http://adsa.psa.ampa.csas.asas.org/meetings/2010/ for abstract submission deadlines, registration, and housing information.

Ninth World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, August 1–6, 2010, Leipzig, Germany. The congress is the premier meeting point for scientists involved in genetic improvement of livestock around the world. Much has changed in the field of applied livestock genetics over the past 50 years and certainly over the last 35 years since the first WCGALP was held in Madrid, Spain, in 1974. Abstract submission deadline is February 28, 2010; early bird registration deadline is January 31, 2010, and regular registration is open from February 1 through May 31, 2010. Visit www.wcgalp2010.org for more information.

Twentieth Discover Conference on Food Animal Agriculture: The Transition Cow: Biology and Management, September 20–23, 2010, The I-Hotel, Champaign, Illinois. Visit http://www.adsa.org/discover/20thDiscover_2010.htm for more information and to register.

Positions Available … 

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is seeking candidates for a nutritional biochemist/assistant professor. This is a 9-month, tenure-leading position (70% research, 30% teaching) in the Department of Animal Science. Research responsibilities include developing and conducting a nationally competitive research program directed toward fundamental studies of nutrient metabolism in ruminants that have potential to improve efficiency and sustainability of production. Position is responsible for teaching ASCI 924, Advanced Animal Nutrition (Ruminant), and BIOS 949, Biochemistry of Nutrition. A PhD degree with an emphasis in nutritional biochemistry or related field is required. For complete position announcement and to apply, go to http://employment.unl.edu, and search for requisition #100007. Complete the Faculty Academic Administrative Information Form. Attach a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and contact information for references. Review of applications will begin April 15, 2010, and continue until the position is filled or the search is closed. The University of Nebraska has an active National Science Foundation ADVANCE gender equity program, and is committed to a pluralistic campus community through affirmative action, equal opportunity, work-life balance, and dual careers.

The Department of Animal Sciences at The Ohio State University seeks applicants for a tenure-track position with a focus in meat science and with primary responsibilities in undergraduate and graduate instruction. The preferred expertise for this position is a thorough understanding of food animal production and processing systems, a strong appreciation for fundamental food animal biology and muscle physiology, and the ability to contribute to leadership of the OSU Meat Science Laboratory. The candidate will be expected to mentor both undergraduate and graduate students and provide leadership for co-curricular activities and organizations. There are superb opportunities to collaborate with faculty within and beyond the Animal Sciences Department at Ohio State University to conduct research that adds value to fresh or processed meat products and enhances the safety and quality of food animal products. A component of the research conducted by the successful candidate should be directly relevant to meat processing systems. Development of a nationally and internationally recognized research program, along with procurement of extramural funding to support research endeavors, is expected. The position is available as a 9-month appointment. The individual selected for this position will join a department of 32 faculty who maintain nationally and internationally recognized research, outreach, and resident teaching programs within the realm of animal sciences. The Ohio State University is one of the largest and most comprehensive research universities in the world. It is located in Columbus, a metropolitan area of more than one million people that offers many cultural, educational, and employment opportunities. Additional information regarding our department can be found at http://ansci.osu.edu/. The successful candidate will hold a PhD in animal sciences or a related field with a record of outstanding scholarly achievement, demonstrated excellence in undergraduate education, and the ability to lead a dynamic teaching program. Standard hiring policy requires completion of a criminal background check. Review of applications will begin on April 1, 2010. Applicants should send a Statement of Interest in the position, curriculum vita, transcripts, and the names, postal addresses, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of at least three references who may be contacted by the committee. Send application materials to Dr. Steve Loerch, Search Committee Chair, c/o Michelle Milligan, The Ohio State University, Department of Animal Sciences, 2029 Fyffe Road, Columbus, OH 43210; phone: 330-263-3900; e-mail: loerch.1@osu.edu. The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, Vietnam-era veterans, disabled veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more job position announcements, please see the FASS Job Resource Center at http://www.fass.org/job.asp