Dr. Derr has directed worldwide research projects in wildlife and livestock conservation genetics for over 25 years. This body of work has produced more than 75 scientific publications reporting original research on many different species. For example, Dr. Derr has authored articles on bison, dolphins, domestic and wild cats, elk, pronghorn antelope, sheep, quail, white-tailed and mule deer, whales, domestic livestock and multiple fish species. All of this conservation genetics research has been funded through international, federal, state, NGO and private funding sources including the DSC and DSC Foundation. In addition, Dr. Derr is an impactful educator through his teaching efforts in undergraduate genetic courses to students interested in medicine (human and veterinary) and he has mentored over 100 graduate students in the fields of conservation / population genetics and animal health. One of Dr. Derr's most popular courses is "Wildlife Conservation Medicine". This course is designed for first- and second-year veterinary students to travel to South Africa and Botswana to learn how to chemically immobilize, treat and transport everything from African plains game to dangerous game. His efforts with these young veterinarians ensure they graduate with specialized knowledge and skills to handle health care and conservation issues with the tremendous number of exotic wildlife species here in the State of Texas on private ranches and preserves.
- Ph.D. in Genetics, Texas A&M University - (College Station, Texas, United States) 1990
Academic Articles68
- Yang, T., Miller, M., Forgacs, D., Derr, J., & Stothard, P. (2020). Development of SNP-Based Genomic Tools for the Canadian Bison Industry: Parentage Verification and Subspecies Composition. Frontiers in Genetics. 11, 585999.
- Forgacs, D., Wallen, R. L., Boedeker, A. L., & Derr, J. N. (2019). Evaluation of fecal samples as a valid source of DNA by comparing paired blood and fecal samples from American bison (Bison bison). BMC Genet. 20(1), 22.
- Curry, C. J., White, P. A., & Derr, J. N. (2019). Genetic analysis of African lions (Panthera leo) in Zambia support movement across anthropogenic and geographical barriers. PLoS ONE. 14(5), e0217179-e0217179.
- Curry, C. J., & Derr, J. N. (2019). Development of Lion MiniSTRs for Use with Modern and Historical DNA Samples. African Journal of Wildlife Research. 49(1), 0064-74.
- Lee, M. O., Dobson, L., Davis, B. W., Skow, L., Derr, J., & Womack, J. E. (2018). Genomic Structure and Tissue Expression of the NK-Lysin Gene Family in Bison.. Journal of Heredity. 109(5), 598-603.
Conference Papers1
- Rooney, A. P., Merritt, D. B., & Derr, J. N. (1999). Brief communication. Microsatellite diversity in captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Heredity. 90(1), 228-231.
- Texas A&M Lion Genetics Study Uncovers Major Consequences Of Habitat Fragmentation Texas A&M Today November 3, 2020
- Texas A&M lion genetics study uncovers major consequences of habitat fragmentation EurekAlert! November 3, 2020
Principal Investigator4
- GP CESU: Genomic Evaluation of Midwest Region Bison Herds – THRO awarded by DOI-National Park Service 2019 - 2022
- Reassessment of Genetic Deversity in Yellowstone Bison awarded by DOI-National Park Service 2018 - 2022
- BIMS320 Biomedical Genetics Instructor
- BIMS320 Biomedical Genetics-costa Rica Instructor
- BIMS320 Hnr-biomedical Genetics Instructor
- BIMS405 Mammalian Genetics Instructor
- BIMS485 Directed Studies Instructor
- Modarelli II, Joseph James (2018-12). Novel Molecular Strategies for the Detection and Characterization of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Domestic Dogs. (Doctoral Dissertation)
- Dobson, Lauren K (2015-08). Sequencing the Genome of the North American Bison. (Doctoral Dissertation)
- Seabury, Christopher Mark (2004-12). Genetic evaluation of the ovine and bovine prion protein genes (PRNP). (Doctoral Dissertation)
- Halbert, Natalie Dierschke (2003-12). The utilization of genetic markers to resolve modern management issues in historic bison populations: implications for species conservation. (Doctoral Dissertation)
- Dindot, Scott Victor (2003-08). The development of a bovine interspecies model for the analysis of genomic imprinting in normal and nuclear transfer derived fetuses. (Doctoral Dissertation)