Dr. Hongwei Xin serves as the dean of Ag Research and director of the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station at The University of Tennessee (UT) where he directs several research programs of some 200 scientists and 450 specialized staff located on campus and at 10 strategically-located Research and Education Centers across Tennessee. Prior to joining the UT Institute of Agriculture, he served as Iowa State University’s (ISU) College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Assistant Dean for Research. At ISU, Dr. Xin was a Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in the Departments of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and Animal Science and served as the founding director of the Egg Industry Center serving in that capacity from 2008-2019.
Dr. Xin’s work has produced significant contributions to scientific literature and engineering practices related to animal production systems at the national and international level. He has served as the principal or co-principal investigator of more than $23.7 million in competitive grants and contracts for research, extension and education programs; mentored 72 graduate students, postdocs, and visiting professors; authored/co-authored 200 refereed journal articles; and delivered 149 invited talks in 16 countries. Xin is also known for his collaborative work in facilitating linkages between academics, research and economic development.
Dr. Xin received his B.S. degree from Shenyang Agricultural University in China, and M.S. and PhD degrees from the University of Nebraska, all in agricultural and biological engineering. His research and extension activities focused on air quality, livestock and poultry production systems engineering, precision livestock farming, and sustainable animal-environment interactions in regards to animal bioenergetics. He is the acting chair of the United Egg Producer’s Environmental Scientific Committee.
