Principles of Animal Growth and Development

David E. Gerrard is Professor and Director of the School of Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech, where his research focuses on muscle biology, meat quality, and skeletal muscle physiology. He earned his B.S. and M.S. in Animal Sciences and his Ph.D. in Muscle Biology from Purdue University. Dr. Gerrard's multidisciplinary research program seeks to maximize the production of high-quality meat by investigating the biochemical transformation of muscle into meat, the mechanisms of muscle growth and development, and innovative technologies for monitoring fresh meat quality. An active member of the American Society of Animal Science and the American Meat Science Association, Dr. Gerrard has also fostered international partnerships to address challenges in meat production and food security.

Alan L. Grant is a Professor and Head of Department of Animal Sciences at Purdue University. He is a native of northern New York and received his degrees from Cornell University and Michigan State University. He teaches at the under-graduate and graduate levels. He has conducted research and published in the areas of animal nutrition and muscle biology with major emphasis on cellular processes regulating muscle development. He has received awards for his accomplishments and was named a University Faculty Scholar at Purdue University in recognition of his outstanding academic distinction.