MSU names Cathy Ernst new chair for the Department of Animal Science May 10, 2021 Cathy Ernst, Ph.D., named chair of the Department of Animal Science Cathy Ernst, Ph.D., has been named chair of the Michigan State University Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The appointment, effective July 1, is for five years. Ernst is a professor in the department, specializing in molecular genetics. She most recently served as co-chair of the department, alongside Dale Rozeboom, Ph.D. Ernst has served as associate chair for graduate training and research, and also as director of the genetics and genome sciences graduate program through the MSU College of Natural Science. Rozeboom will remain in a leadership role as associate chair.