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Dr. John Unruh grew up on a diversified crop and registered Angus farm near Warden, Washington. The family ranch was also involved in commercial sheep production and was a charter member of the American Simmental Association.
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John attended Washington State University and received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal Sciences. He enjoyed competition on the Livestock and Live Animal and Carcass Evaluation Teams and later coached both teams while pursuing a M.S. degree. John received his Ph.D. in Meat Science (Animal Sciences and Industry) at Kansas State University.
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Following completion of his graduate studies, John joined the faculty in the Department of Animal Sciences at Washington State University. He was the State Extension Specialist for Meat Science and Swine Production and later became Project Leader for Livestock Production, Management and Marketing.
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John returned to KSU accepting a teaching and research position in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry. While coaching the meat judging team from 1989 to 1996, the team won two national and four reserve national championships. Internationally, he has worked with university and producer organizations in Mexico and Costa Rica to improve the production, composition, and quality of meat. He has also led student agriculture study abroad groups to Costa Rica, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. His research interests integrate live animal production and management, carcass composition and quality, and sensory evaluation of meat.
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In 2009, John became chair of the Undergraduate Food Science program. He has been recognized with several teaching awards including the American Meat Science Association Distinguished Teaching Award and Meat Judging Meritorious Service Award. John and his wife, Judy, live in Manhattan, KS and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.
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