​Dr. Andrea S. Cupp is a distinguished reproductive physiologist and the Irvin T. and Wanda R. Omtvedt Professor of Physiology in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).

She is internationally recognized for her work on the genetic and environmental factors that regulate reproductive efficiency in cattle, often serving as a mentor to international researchers (including several of the Jordanian professors mentioned previously, such as Dr. Mohamed Abedal-Majed).

​Academic Background

• PhD in Animal Science (Reproductive Physiology): University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
• Postdoctoral Fellowship: University of California-San Francisco (UCSF), where she focused on the molecular mechanisms of testis development and sex determination.

Research and Expertise
Dr. Cupp's research program is highly multidisciplinary, bridging the gap between basic molecular biology and applied livestock management. Her primary areas of focus include:

• Androgen Excess and Infertility: She developed a unique model of "High A4" (androstenedione) cows. These animals serve as a critical model for studying Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in women, as they exhibit similar symptoms like irregular cycles and reduced fertility.
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF): Investigating how different isoforms of the VEGFA protein regulate the development of follicles in the ovary and the formation of the corpus luteum.
• Nutritional Impacts on Fertility: Studying how "fetal programming" (the nutrition a mother receives during pregnancy) affects the future reproductive lifespan of her offspring.
• Puberty and Longevity: Identifying genetic markers and physiological signals that predict when a heifer will reach puberty and how long she will remain productive in a beef herd.

Awards and Leadership

• Omtvedt Innovation Award: For her groundbreaking research in reproductive physiology.
• Leadership in ASAS: She has held significant roles within the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) and the Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR).
• Mentorship: She is known for training the next generation of reproductive scientists, many of whom now hold professorships at universities worldwide.

Connection to the University of Jordan
Dr. Cupp has a strong professional tie to the University of Jordan through the PhD mentorship of Dr. Mohamed Ayoub Abedal-Majed. Their collaborative research on androgen excess in cows has been published in major journals like Biology of Reproduction and the Journal of Animal Science, linking UNL's advanced physiological research with Jordanian livestock applications.