Dr. John Michael Gonzalez grew up in the vast urban setting of San Antonio, TX. He was first introduced to agriculture during his high school years when he visited numerous classmates’ ranches located throughout the state of Texas. This led Dr. Gonzalez to pursue and earn his B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics and Poultry Science from Texas A&M University. He then moved on to obtain his M.S. degree in Animal Science from Sul Ross State University. In 2008, Dr. Gonzalez achieved his Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from the University of Florida. After earning his degree, Dr. Gonzalez spent a 9-month tenure serving as the Technical Services Manager of XL Four Star Beef, Inc. of Omaha, Nebraska. Following this experience, he returned to the University of Florida as a Postdoctoral Associate.

Dr. Gonzalez joined the Kansas State University staff in June of this year with a 30% teaching and 70% research appointment. Under his teaching appointment, Dr. Gonzalez will assist in the instruction of the Advanced Meat Science course and re-establish the yearly offering of the department’s Growth and Development course. Dr. Gonzalez’s research interests span the spectrum of the Meat Science discipline. His interests primarily center around exploring the effects of management strategies, feeding regimens, and growth technologies on meat color and quality characteristics of red meat species. Dr. Gonzalez aims to contribute to the Meat Science group by explaining global changes in meat quality or color by exploring muscle biology mechanisms with basic science techniques.

Dr. Gonzalez resides in Manhattan with his wife, Sara, and two dogs, Bexar and Astro. In his free time, Dr. Gonzalez spends a good portion of his time following the United States space program. He and his wife can be found around town working their golf game, riding the linear trail, or playing basketball. Dr. Gonzalez and his family are excited to establish roots in Kansas and work with the producers of the state.