UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Two faculty members in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences -- Dr. Gary Killian, professor of reproductive physiology, and Dr. Dennis Murphy, professor of agricultural and biological engineering -- have been named distinguished professors by the University.

The title of distinguished professor was established by the Office of the President to recognize a select group of professors with exceptional accomplishments in teaching, research and service.

"Dr. Killian has established an internationally recognized research program in reproductive biology, making important contributions to the understanding of both animal and human infertility," says Terry Etherton, head of Penn State's dairy and animal science department. "His group was the first to show that accessory sex gland fluid influences the fertility of sperm. They isolated proteins that both enhance and inhibit fertility. The commercial importance of this work is significant to the artificial insemination (AI) industry in agriculture as well as human fertility programs. A patent has been issued and a diagnostic test is being developed that could have a major economic impact on programs in the AI industry for predicting sub-fertility in young bulls."

Killian has played an integral role in directing the John O. Almquist Research Center (formerly Penn State's Dairy Breeding Research Center), which is recognized worldwide as one of the preeminent centers for research on bovine reproductive biology. "He serves as a very important liaison between private-sector companies and our department," Etherton says.

Killian has published more than 85 refereed journal articles and presented 80 abstracts at scientific meetings. He has mentored 13 post-doctoral researchers/visiting professors and 28 graduate students. Killian also provides research experiences for undergraduates and serves as honors thesis advisor for his department. His popular undergraduate course on reproductive techniques in cattle emphasizes hands-on experience in artificial insemination techniques and pregnancy palpation. He also teaches a graduate course on the cell biology of gametes and fertilization. With his graduate students, Killian developed the first animal physiology course for high school students in the Governor's School for Agriculture.

Killian received his bachelor's degree in zoology and master's degree in embryology from Kansas State University and his doctorate in reproductive physiology from Penn State.

Dennis Murphy is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in agricultural safety and health. As a result of his work, Murphy can document a nearly 50 percent reduction in the rate of farm work injury in Pennsylvania over the past 10 years.

"Dennis is a productive and well-rounded faculty member who is continuously dedicated to improving his extension programs," says Roy Young, professor and head of the department of agricultural and biological engineering. "One example of his outstanding contributions is the new Pennsylvania Farm Safety and Health Quiz Bowl initiated in 1999. This high-quality, innovative program recognizes children as an important audience for farm safety education. Children on farms are at risk. The habits they learn can have a lifelong impact on their safety and well being. This program complements a career history of cooperative safety education activities and materials aimed at youth and children."

Some of Murphy's creative and scientific contributions include procedures used throughout North America to extinguish dangerous tower silo fires; training and educating emergency service personnel and farm families to respond to farm accident emergencies; and pioneering efforts to identify and classify agricultural injury accidents more accurately. In the mid-1980s, he piloted a new method to collect scientifically valid, representative data samples of statewide farm injuries, which became the model for a national program of farm injury data collection. He also provided the background data and strategic needs that were incorporated into Pennsylvania's historic legislation for farm safety, The Farm Safety and Occupational Health Act. Since 1995, this legislation has provided nearly $750,000 to support farm safety education research and project development.

Murphy has been the principal investigator or co-principal investigator on over $4 million worth of grants, contracts and gifts. He authored the first textbook and professional reference on agricultural safety and health, of which nearly 1,600 copies have been sold in 29 countries. He has authored over 135 scientific and technical articles. Many of his materials, manuals and training curricula have been adapted by other states or organizations and are widely used throughout the nation.

He received the first Packer Safety Engineering Award from the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and has been honored for career achievement by the Penn State Epsilon Sigma Phi and Gamma Sigma Delta chapters. Students trained by Murphy also have established themselves as nationally recognized farm safety leaders.

Murphy received his bachelor's degree in agriculture and his master's degree in occupational safety and health from Illinois State University. He earned his doctorate in agricultural education from Penn State.

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EDITORS: Terry Etherton can be reached at 814-863-3665. Gary Killian can be reached at 814-865-5894. Dennis Murphy can be reached by e-mail at djm13@psu.edu. Roy Young can be reached at 814-865-7792.

Contacts: Kim Dionis KDionis@psu.edu 814-863-2703 814-865-1068 fax