The Purdue Animal Sciences Department proudly welcomes Julie Mahoney, Ph.D., as a clinical assistant professor.
Mahoney earned her doctoral degree in animal sciences from Purdue University in 2019 under the advisership of Brian Richert, Ph.D. She conducted her graduate research in swine nutrition and physiology with a focus on pork quality, as well as student success in agriculture. She also received a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in animal science from Kansas State University.
Mahoney spent the past five years at United Animal Health, where she most recently served as a staff research scientist. She led multi-species research projects, managed interns and staff and shared results from animal nutrition studies with scientists and industry partners.
Not only is Mahoney's swine nutrition and physiology research widely published in peer reviewed literature, but her pedagogical research interests have been featured in the Journal of Agricultural Education and showcased here at the 6th Annual Purdue Agriculture Celebration of Teaching Excellence (2019). In her new position at Purdue, Mahoney will focus on developing and teaching in-person and online animal sciences courses. One of her key responsibilities is to expand the department’s online course offerings to reach a broader audience, which includes high school students, adult learners and industry professionals seeking continuing education.
“I’m excited to return to Purdue and share my fascination of animals, science and production systems,” Mahoney said. “As a student, I benefited from faculty who opened my eyes to the possibilities within animal science, and I hope to provide those same kinds of experiences for others.”
According to Mahoney, she is particularly passionate about helping students build connections within the agricultural industry and guiding them toward professional opportunities that align with their interests.
“I see my role as both an educator and a connector, linking students with professionals, alumni and subject matter experts who can support their development,” Mahoney said. “I’m also looking forward to supporting student research engagement, as it’s a critical component of quality education and industry advancement.”
Mahoney will begin her teaching responsibilities in the 2025/2026 academic year, with initial emphasis on courses such as ANSC 10200: Introduction to Animal Agriculture, nutrition principles and applications and livestock management.
Outside of her career, Mahoney enjoys spending time with her husband and children, cooking and gardening.
