Honoring the careers of two longtime animal scientists

The Purdue Animal Sciences Department celebrated the retirements of Marcos Fernandez, PhD, and Allan Schinckel, PhD on December 10.

Faculty, staff, students and members of the public gathered to honor and congratulate these longtime animal scientists, recognizing their contributions to the department and the field.

Fernandez has been at Purdue for over 13 years. He arrived at Purdue in July 2011 to serve as the Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the College of Agriculture. He moved to the animal sciences department in February 2020 after he stepped down from administration.

Fernandez received his bachelor’s degree in animal sciences from Illinois State University in 1980 and his master’s degree in animal sciences from the University of Tennessee in 1983. He also completed his doctoral degree also in animal sciences at North Carolina State University in 1987.

Schinckel has been a faculty member in the Purdue Animal Sciences Department for almost 42 years.

Schinckel received his bachelor’s degree in animal sciences from Iowa State University in 1978. He also completed his master’s degree in animal sciences in 1980 and his doctoral degree in animal breeding in 1982. He completed his master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Nebraska.

The event was a fitting tribute to these two scholars, whose work will inspire future generations in animal sciences.

More photos from the event can be found below:

Featured Stories

A sign reading "Hobart and Russell Creighton Hall of Animal Sciences."
2026–27 Animal Sciences scholarship recipients announced

Purdue Animal Sciences awarded $96,300 in scholarships to students for the 2026–27 school...

Read More
Victoria Uyanga
Uyanga brings interdisciplinary approach to poultry science at Purdue

Victoria Uyanga brings expertise in poultry nutrition, physiology and immunology to Purdue Animal...

Read More
A woman wearing glasses and a black jacket stands in front of a large tree, smiling at the camera.
Purdue food scientists encourage caution about AI chatbot advice

AI chatbots can provide useful food safety analysis. However, according to an analysis conducted...

Read More
Andrew Reyes works on target training with female giraffes Asha (left) and Jasiri (right); Andrew presents his research findings to Brookfield Zoo Chicago animal care leadership.
FNR Field Report: Andrew Reyes

Senior wildlife major Andrew Reyes spent his summer as an animal care intern at Brookfield Zoo...

Read More
Xiurui 'Iris' Cui
Xiurui Cui - Postdoctoral Scholar Feature

It wasn’t until she was actually in a veterinary hospital, attempting to give an injection...

Read More
A young Kristin Floress stands in a forested area with a friend in 2006; Floress stands in front of ruins in 2017; Floress holds her Distinguished Alumni plaque in April 2026.
Meet Kristin Floress: 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient

Dr. Kristin Floress, who earned her PhD from Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources in 2008, has...

Read More