The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences Department of Animal Science has welcomed James Koltes, assistant professor of epigenetics to its faculty.

"Lots of folks ask me, what is epigenetics," Koltes says. "Epigenetics seeks to understand how the environment (including everything from diet, management, the natural environment, stress, disease, medicine, etc.) can impact how your DNA blueprint works to shape growth, health, reproduction and other traits."

Koltes grew up on a dairy farm in southern Wisconsin, which is where his interest in genetics began. He earned his B.S. in dairy science and genetics from the University of Wisconsin and his Ph.D. in genetics from Iowa State University. He is a member of the American Society of Animal Science and the Functional Annotation of Animal Genomes Consortium.

"James will provide expertise in undergraduate and graduate instruction in genetics and a research program focused on epigenetic regulation of gene expression," said Michael Looper, department head. "The department is fortunate to have James' wealth of knowledge in this fascinating area of research."

Koltes joined the departmental faculty in July following his post-doctoral fellowship at Iowa State University. Starting in the spring, he will be teaching an undergraduate level Animal Breeding and Genetics course.