Breaking Barriers Exploring Dietary Factors Influencing Gut Function for Cattle

Dr. Greg Penner is a Professor in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science and holds a Centennial Enhancement Chair in Ruminant Nutritional Physiology at the University of Saskatchewan. He was hired in 2009 after obtaining his bachelor’s degree (2004) and M.Sc. degree (2006) at the University of Saskatchewan, and his PhD from the University of Alberta (2009). Dr. Penner has published over 110 papers in peer-reviewed journals and has secured over 7.4 million in funding as PI and 5.1 million as a co-investigator allowing for extensive local, national, and international collaborations. Dr. Penner is a highly sought out speaker and has provided over 80 invited presentations since appointment. Greg also participated as an Evaluation Group Member for the NSERC-Discovery program and is an associate editor.

Dr. Penner’s research focuses on forage utilization, beef and dairy cattle nutrition, and regulation of gastrointestinal function in ruminants. Individual projects range from a focus on fundamental aspects of physiology to those with applied outcomes that can help promote efficient and sustainable beef and dairy production. Through his research program, Dr. Penner has trained 26 undergraduate students, 17 M.Sc. students, 5 Ph.D. students, 4 post-doctoral fellows, and has 3 technicians. In addition, Dr. Penner has hosted 5 students from other universities while they conduct a portion of their research under his supervision.

In recognition of his research program, Dr. Penner has been awarded with the Canadian Society of Animal Science Young Scientist Award (2013), the Early Career Research Award from the American Society of Animal Science (2017), the College of Agriculture and Bioresources Dean's New Researcher Award of Excellence (2017), The University of Saskatchewan New Research Award (2019), and will receive the Lallemand Research Excellence Award in Dairy Science in July 2019. Dr. Penner’s students have also received considerable recognition with M.Sc. or Ph.D. students winning graduate student competitions at the Canadian Society of Animal Science every year from 2012 to 2018 with the exception of 2015 along with numerous scholarships and a University of Saskatchewan Thesis Award.

Greg is actively involved in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels within the Animal Science program in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. Greg is also heavily involved in activity at the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence and enjoys outreach activities. As part of his outreach, Dr. Penner participates as an organizing committee member for the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference, Western Canadian Dairy Seminar, and the Saskatchewan Pasture Tour.