Troy L. Ott

Troy grew up in upper Bucks County, PA. His grandfather’s family operated a dairy in the

Philadelphia area around the turn of the 20 century. Troy received his B.S. in Animal Production 

from Penn State University in 1984, his Masters degree from Auburn University and his 

Doctorate from the University of Florida, both in Reproductive Biology.

 

After post-doctoral training in the Center for Animal Biotechnology at Texas A&M University, 

Troy served on the faculty at the University of Idaho from 1998 to 2006, where he rose to the 

rank of Associate Professor. Troy was hired back at his alma mater in the spring of 2006 as part 

of the Reproductive Biology initiative in the College of Agricultural Science. The initiative 

results in 7 new faculty hires in reproductive biology including 2 endowed chairs. The goal of 

this initiative is to continue Penn States tradition of excellence in reproductive biology research. 

Troy was promoted to Professor in 2012 and in 2015 accepted a position as Associate Director of 

the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State.

 

Troy’s research is in the area of enhancing reproductive efficiency with emphasis on embryo 

uterine interactions during early pregnancy in dairy cattle. His research has been supported by 

USDA, NIH and industry. Troy teaches undergraduate courses in reproductive physiology, small 

ruminant production and reproductive management of dairy cattle. In addition, Troy teaches part of a graduate course in physiology. Troy is married to his wife of 23 years and has 3 children.