Food Scientist and Professor Annie J King

Professor Annie Joyce King

Annie Joyce King, Professor and food scientist in the Department of Animal Science, passed away unexpectedly in early April 2025 at the age of 76. She was born and raised in North Carolina. After completion of a PhD in Food Science at North Carolina State University in 1983, Dr. King was recruited to the Department of Avian Sciences at UC Davis to provide expertise in food science and advance the quality of poultry meat and eggs. Avian Sciences merged with the Department of Animal Science in 1998, and she transferred to the new Department of Animal Science. All who knew Professor King were impressed by the incredible amount of enthusiasm, original thinking, professionalism, and positive attitude that she brought to everything she did. A quote from her colleague Dick Grau, now deceased, summarizes her academic life “Annie’s good humor, clear sense of direction, intelligence and firmness makes it a pleasure to work with and be led by her”. Those who don’t know Professor King might remember seeing an ultra-professional woman in high heels charging around campus with a purpose.

Read the full article

Dairy Facility
Our mission is to create and disseminate knowledge about animals for the betterment of animals, society, and the environment in California and beyond.
Ermias Kebreab
Professor Ermias Kebreab is conducting research with dairy cows to find out if seaweed will reduce methane emissions from cattle. (photo by Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)
Alison Van Eenenaam
Animal geneticist Alison Van Eenennaam discovered it is possible to splice the 'hornless' gene from Aberdeen Angus cattle into the widespread black-and-white Holstein dairy cows so that they are born without protrusions. (photo by Aleksandra Domanović and Spencer Lowell)
Jim Oltjen
Extension Specialist Jim Oltjen works with cattle ranchers to implement research and best practices. His current research projects include feedlot performance prediction to improve efficiency and reduce variation in beef production, improved grazing and supplementation strategies for beef cow herds, herd management modeling, and cost/benefit of animal identification. Photo by Elissa Nadworny.
Maja Makagon
Sensor technology gives associate professor Maja Makagon new insights in hens' behavior. For example, Makagon is using sensors on individual hens to record when they bump their keelbone (breastbone) against something. Keelbone damage is a significant problem that can affect egg production.
Matthias Hess
Associate professor Matthias Hess is sequencing environmental DNA to study the microbial community and microbial processes associated with natural crude oils that pollute the marine ecosystem off the Santa Barbara shoreline.
Cassandra Tucker
Professor Cassandra Tucker says technology can put animal welfare at the center of farm decision making by finding opportunities to amplify care.
Horse Barn
Our mission is to create and disseminate knowledge about animals for the betterment of animals, society, and the environment in California and beyond.
Horse Barn
Our mission is to create and disseminate knowledge about animals for the betterment of animals, society, and the environment in California and beyond.
Animal Science Student

Undergraduate
Graduate Student

Graduate
Anita Oberbauer

Meet the Faculty
Anne Todgham

Welcome

Welcome to the UC Davis Department of Animal Science!  Our mission is to create and disseminate knowledge about animals for the betterment of animals, society, and the environment in California and beyond.  As you will see as you explore our website, our program is vibrant, diverse, and comprehensive with our research and teaching programs covering the molecule to the ecosystem as it pertains to animals.
- Anne Todgham, Ph.D., Department Chair

More

Lucydalila Cedillo

Alumni Spotlight

Lucydalila Cedillo (Animal Science, class of '16) was awarded the University Medal, which recognizes a graduating senior for excellence in undergraduate studies, outstanding community service and the promise of future scholarship and contributions to society.  She has since accepted an offer of admission to Harvard University's Biological and Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. program where she is pursuing her dream of becoming a professor at a research institution.

More