John McNamara, emeritus professor of animal sciences at Washington State University, has been appointed to the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources for the National Academies.
The Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources is tasked to provide evidence-based information on all matters relating to food production, distribution, and use of natural resources.
McNamara served 33 years as a professor of animal sciences at Washington State University, and his work on dairy cattle and sows identified key pathways, enzymes, and genes of the most efficient animals.
He started new courses on companion animal biology and published the textbook “Principles of Companion Animal Nutrition.”
McNamara served 25 years on the Washington Science Teachers Association board and is currently past-president, being highly active in preparation and education of science teachers.
Jill McCluskey, regents professor and director of the School of Economic Sciences, was reappointed to the board, giving WSU two highly regarded faculty members to provide input into agriculture and natural resource science policy.
McCluskey’s research focuses on product quality and reputation, food labeling and standards, food access, and consumer preferences for new technology. She has been a member of the Board on Agricultural and Natural Resources since 2017.
She is past president and fellow of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Fellow of the Western Agricultural Economics Association, and a member of the Washington State Academies of Sciences.
