Rate My Professor Justin Luther

Justin Luther is the Associate Chair of Student Success and Professor of Animal Science in the Department of Animal and Food Science at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He received his B.S. in Agricultural Education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology from North Dakota State University. Prior to joining UW-River Falls, Luther served at North Dakota State University as an Extension Sheep Specialist and conducted research in the Department of Animal Sciences, focusing on nutrition and reproductive physiology in sheep. His transition to UW-River Falls marked a continuation of his career in animal science education and research within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.

Luther's primary expertise is in reproductive physiology and management, with research emphasizing maternal and fetal nutrition, placental vascular development, fetal growth restriction, and related physiological parameters in sheep models of pregnancy. His publications include 'Undernutrition and stage of gestation influence fetal adipose tissue gene expression' (2015), 'Liver iron status and associated haematological parameters in relation to fetal growth and pregnancy outcome in rapidly growing adolescent sheep carrying a singleton lamb derived by embryo transfer' (2010), 'Uteroplacental vascular development and placental function: An update' (2009), 'Maternal Nutritional Level Impacts Resistance and Pulsatility Indices in the Umbilical Cord in Sheep' (2009), 'Fetoplacental growth and vascular development in overnourished adolescent sheep at day 50, 90 and 130 of gestation' (2009), 'Placental vascularity and growth factor expression in singleton, twin, and triplet pregnancies in the sheep' (2008), 'Placental Growth, Angiogenic Gene Expression, and Vascular Development in Undernourished Adolescent Sheep' (2007), and 'Maternal and Fetal Growth, Body Composition, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Status in Undernourished Adolescent Sheep' (2007). These works have collectively amassed over 1,000 citations. In 2017, Luther was honored with the CAFES Outstanding Faculty Award, recognizing his contributions as selected by peers. He actively participates in extension programs, such as ewe and ram management workshops and bovine reproductive techniques instruction, and serves as a search chair for faculty positions in companion animal science. Luther teaches courses including reproductive physiology and sheep production, advising students and leading departmental initiatives for student success.