Udaya DeSilva is a Professor of Animal Molecular Genetics at Oklahoma State University. He received his BVSc. degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka and was a practicing large-animal veterinarian in rural Sri Lanka for four years before returning to graduate school. He subsequently received a MS degree in animal genetics from Kansas State University and a PhD in human molecular genetics from Washington University in St. Louis. After graduation, he worked for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia studying functional genomics of wool production before joining the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at Oklahoma State University in 2001. He also holds an affiliate position with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. DeSilva's research interests are in metagenomics of microorganisms that inhabit the gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts of domestic animals and functional genomics of adipogenesis in cattle. He teaches classes in genetics, biotechnology, and use of agricultural animals around the world. Dr. DeSilva has extensive international experience having lived, studied, or worked in Sri Lanka, India, Cuba, Australia, Mexico, and China. DeSilva held several leadership positions in faculty governance and is the recipient of multiple awards for teaching, research, and leadership at Oklahoma State University.