Anita Oberbauer selected as new CA&ES associate dean for agricultural programs

Anita Oberbauer, professor and chair of the Department of Animal Science, has been selected as the new associate dean for research and outreach in agricultural programs in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Her appointment becomes effective July 1.

“Anita comes to us with a wealth of experience as a credentialed researcher, educator, mentor, and administrator,” said CA&ES Dean Helene Dillard. “She is a colleague who is thoroughly dedicated to service.”

Oberbauer takes over the position from entomology professor Edwin Lewis, who left UC Davis in May to take a position at the University of Idaho. She received her B.S. in zoology at UC Davis, graduating with highest honors in 1980. She earned her Ph.D. in animal science from Cornell University and then completed post-doctoral fellowships at Loma Linda University and UCLA prior to joining the animal science faculty at UC Davis in 1989. She first served as vice chair and then was appointed chair of the department in October 2009. 

Oberbauer studies growth and development, focusing on the cellular components that regulate skeletal growth and body composition. Her teaching has included courses in growth and development, molecular biology, sheep management, and cancer genetics. She has been at the forefront of incorporating companion animals into animal science curricula and teaches two high-enrollment courses on the topic. Those courses proved an entry into studying the genetic basis for animal health disorders, most particularly in dogs and dairy cattle.

She has trained more than 25 M.S. and Ph.D. students, published more than 100 refereed articles and has been supported by federal and private agency funds. Oberbauer is a director for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals Board, provides numerous invited talks on canine genetics, and served on many federal grant review panels, including the NIH and USDA.

Oberbauer has received the UC Davis Distinguished Teaching Award, the American Society of Animal Science Corbin Award in Companion Animal Biology, the Distinguished Teacher Award for the Western Section of American Society of Animal Science, and the Outstanding Mentor Award from the UC Davis Consortium for Women and Research.