Rate My Professor Hyungchul Han

Hyungchul Han serves as Interim Associate Dean and Professor in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences within the Huntley College of Agriculture at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Originally from Seoul, Korea, he obtained his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal Sciences from Korea University and his Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from Oklahoma State University. Following his doctorate, Han completed postdoctoral fellowships at Oklahoma State University and the University of Nevada, worked as a research scientist at Korea Cancer Center Hospital, and served as an Associate Professor at Colorado State University before joining Cal Poly Pomona in 2018. He chaired the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences prior to his appointment as Interim Associate Dean in August 2025. Han was honored as the Huntley College of Agriculture's 2024 Teacher of the Year for his excellence in teaching.

Professor Han's research specializes in the effects of maternal environment on differential gene expression associated with fetal, neonatal, and postnatal growth and health, particularly genes involved in nutrient partitioning in the fetus. With over two decades of experience as a researcher and lecturer in animal science, he teaches a range of courses including Animal Genetics (AVS 3305), Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals (AVS 3350), Mammalian Endocrinology, Reproductive Physiology and Lactation (AVS 4214), Biotechnology Applications in Animal Science (AVS 4430), and Advanced Nutritional Physiology (AVS 5990). Notable publications include "Trace mineral source influences ruminal distribution of copper and zinc and their binding strength to ruminal digesta" (Journal of Animal Science, 2019), "Effect of prebiotic supplementation with stabilized rice bran in milk of pre-weaned organic Holstein calves" (BMC Veterinary Research, 2019), "Maternal undernutrition induces differential cardiac gene expression in pulmonary hypertensive steers at high altitude" (American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 2008), "Maternal nutrient restriction programs gene expression in ovine fetal heart" (The Journal of Physiology, 2004), and "Low blood ISG15 mRNA and progesterone levels are predictive of non-pregnant dairy cows" (Journal of Endocrinology, 2006). His contributions advance understanding in nutritional physiology and developmental programming in livestock.