title: Triennial Reproduction Symposium: 2012 Casida Award recipient: philosophy for graduate education in reproductive physiology and endocrinology.
abstract: The purpose of graduate education in reproductive physiology and endocrinology is to develop scientists and educators who will create new knowledge and impart this knowledge to appropriate end users in animal agriculture. Technology changes over time but the scientific method remains constant. Society needs scientists and educators who are grounded in the fundamentals of biology as well as in animal agriculture. Students in reproductive physiology and endocrinology require a blending of fundamental sciences with application to agricultural species in their training. My philosophy has been to treat each student as a unique individual needing a program designed to eliminate weaknesses and to magnify strengths. Each student must have a background in statistics and biochemistry. These 2 fundamental areas of science are of such importance that they must be included early in the educational process to assure competence in research or teaching. Students must be involved in their own research as early as possible. Collaborative and interdisciplinary research has been a key factor in developing successful scientists and educators in my graduate education program. Success of students after graduation has been a rewarding aspect of training graduate students.
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Overton, TX 75684, USA. r-randel@tamu.edu
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Randel
mesh_terms: D017750:Animal Technicians / Q000193:education*; D004500:Education, Graduate; D004520:Education, Veterinary; D004704:Endocrinology / Q000193:education; D010827:Physiology / Q000193:education*; D055703:Reproductive Physiological Phenomena; D018634:Veterinarians