New Virginia Tech Swine Research and Extension Faculty Member

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Dr. Mark Estienne, a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, has returned to his home state as a Virginia Tech Swine Research Physiologist. Dr. Estienne's official appointment is 75% research, 25% Extension and he is stationed at the Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Suffolk.

Prior to starting this position on June 1, Mark was a member of the faculty at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore for 9 years. His position at UMES included teaching, research, and Extension responsibilities with emphasis on farm animal reproduction and swine production and management. He also supervised operation of the UMES swine research and education facility and the UMES-Maryland Pork Producer's Association Central Test Station. Mark was promoted to associate professor at UMES in 1996 and also served as the coordinator for the Graduate Program in Food and Agricultural Sciences at that institution.

Dr. Estienne's educational background includes a B.S. in Animal Science at Virginia Tech (1982), an M.S. in Animal Reproductive Physiology at Virginia Tech (1984), and a Ph.D. in Animal Reproductive Physiology at the University of Georgia (1987). He also completed post-doctoral studies in the department of Animal Science at the University of Kentucky in 1990.

Based at the Virginia Tech Tidewater AREC, Dr. Estienne's research work will focus on swine reproductive physiology, enhancement of artificial insemination technology, breeding herd management, and pig growth and development. Mark will also be supporting the Virginia Swine industry through Extension education programs related to swine breeding technology, breeding herd management, and pig growth and welfare.

Dr. Estienne can be reached at the Virginia Tech Tidewater AREC, 6321 Holland Road, Suffolk, VA 23437, telephone (757) 657-6450, ext. 114, FAX (757) 657-9333, e-mail mestienn@vt.edu.

Mark and his wife Cindy (B.S. Virginia Tech '84, M.S. University of Georgia '86) reside on a small farm near the Holland community of Suffolk. Here they assist their children Jessica, Jake, Bobby, and Mike in the production and care of goats, sheep, and horses!