JACKSON RESIDENT EARNS DOCTORATE IN PHILOSOPHY

JACKSON -- M. Todd Rhodes received the doctor of philosophy degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in May.

Rhodes earned the doctorate in ruminant nutrition and physiology investigating the role of endophyte-infected fescue in decreasing cattle and sheep performance on infected pastures and their decreased ability to dissipate body heat during environmental heat stress.

After Rhodes completed his high school education at Jackson R-2, he received a bachelor of science degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 1984, majoring in general agriculture.

He received a master of science degree in farm animal reproductive physiology from Kansas State University in 1986 investigating the efficacy of estrus synchronization in gilts consuming a high energy diet prior to breeding.

Upon graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Rhodes accepted a position as clinical research coordinator with the animal science division of Hoffmann La-Roche Inc. He and his wife, Sandra Grebe, will move to Nutley, N.J., the North American headquarters for the company.

Responsibilities of the new position are to design experiments and provide data to the United States Food and Drug Administration showing the safety and effectiveness of new animal pharmaceuticals and feed additives that increase growth rate, feed efficiency and or carcass lean tissue percentage.

He is the son of Melvin and Charolette Rhodes of Jackson Route 2.