Noelle Cockett

After receiving her B.S. degree in Animal Science from Montana State University and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Animal Breeding and Genetics from Oregon State University, Noelle Cockett spent five years as a Research Geneticist at the USDA, ARS U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska. She joined Utah State University (USU) in 1990 and has served in several administrative positions, including Dean of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Vice President for Extension, Executive Vice President and Provost, and most recently, as University President for almost seven years. She returned to the Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Science in August 2023 to conduct research in animal genomics and is now the instructor for an undergraduate communications course, graduate seminar, and the Animal Genetics and Breeding course required of all animal science majors.

During her presidency, Cockett prioritized student success, USU’s excellence in research, particularly in land, water, air and space issues, and the outreach USU does in the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities.

Cockett’s research program has centered on studying the genetic influences on traits in small ruminants, as well as the development of resources that advance farm animal genomics. She has served as the U.S. Coordinator for Sheep Genome Mapping since 1993 and an active member of the International Sheep Genomics Consortium. Cockett has been a champion for FDA’s approval of genetically edited farm animals for human consumption. Cockett has published over 150 referred journal articles and reports, 14 books and book chapters, and secured over $11.2M in competitive research funding, including continuous awards from USDA/NIFA for the last 30 years. She currently serves as Project Director for USDA/NIFA “Animal Breeding RCN: Farm Animal Genomics Collective” competitive grant.