CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Ryan Dilger, associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, has been named one of five University Scholars at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. The honor recognizes excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.

Dilger researches animal nutrition and animal agriculture using an interdisciplinary approach involving immunology and neuroscience. His work has contributed to a variety of fields, from optimizing animal nutrition to understanding how nutrition requirements change when the immune system is activated. His lab has used a translational piglet model for studying the impact of nutrient intake and infection during the neonatal period on brain development and cognitive functioning. Dilger recently helped the department develop best practices for mentoring undergraduates through research experiences, and he also revamped the experiential learning course to better capture diverse experiences.

Begun in 1985, the scholars program recognizes faculty excellence on the three University of Illinois campuses and provides $15,000 to each scholar for each of three years to enhance his or her academic career. The money may be used for travel, equipment, research assistants, books or other purposes.

“Talented, dedicated faculty are at the very core of the University of Illinois’ standing as a global leader in higher education,” said Barbara Wilson, the executive vice president and vice president for academic affairs for the U. of I. System. “The University Scholars program honors the best of the best, showcasing the phenomenal scholarship and teaching that these select scholars are known for and that help attract students and drive progress for our state and nation.”

In consideration of COVID-19 precautions, all 12 of the 2020 University Scholars will be honored during the spring semester, in a format to be determined.

Read about all the UIUC University Scholars here.