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Phillip R Myer

Professor | Animal Science

Specialization: Rumen Microbiology

Overview

Microbes → Cattle → Production

Big Questions We Ask

We study the rumen microbiome to understand why cattle differ in how they use feed, adapt to their environment, and produce methane—and how that biology can be translated into practical improvements for beef production.

Feed Efficiency

Why do some cattle make better use of feed than others?

Host + Microbiome

How do animal genetics, rumen cells, and microbes work together?

Methane

What drives differences in enteric methane emissions among cattle?

Rumen Resilience

How does the rumen microbiome adapt while maintaining function?

Exploring how rumen microbes, host biology, nutrition, and management interact to influence cattle performance and production.

Angus cattle at a University of Tennessee research center
Current USDA Research

Genes, Cells & Microbes

Connecting host genetics, rumen-wall biology, and microbial communities to better understand variation in feed efficiency.

Explore the project →
NP51
Complete Genome Sequence
Ligilactobacillus animalis
Research Showcase

Sequencing a Beef Cattle Probiotic

We generated the complete genome sequence of Ligilactobacillus animalis NP51, a cattle-derived probiotic used in beef production.

Explore the research →
Illustration representing 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing
Microbiome Methods

Best Practices for Microbiome Research

Practical guidance for designing, conducting, analyzing, and reporting 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies in animal science.

Read the publication →
F.U.S.E. Animal Science fellowship
Training the Next Generation

F.U.S.E. Animal Science

A USDA-NIFA fellowship connecting undergraduate research, Extension, professional development, and mentoring across animal science.

Discover F.U.S.E. →
Honors

  • 2026 Webster Pendergrass Outstanding Service Award; UTIA
  • 2026 Mid-Career Faculty Research Excellence Award; UTIA AgResearch
  • 2024 W.S. Overton Faculty Award of Merit; Herbert College of Agriculture
  • 2024 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Teaching Award of Merit
  • 2023 Outstanding Early Career Animal Scientist Award - Research; ASAS-Southern Section
  • 2023 Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award; Herbert College of Agriculture
  • 2021 T.J. Whatley Distinguished Young Scientist Award; UTIA AgResearch
  • 2020 Gamma Sigma Delta Research Award; UTIA
  • 2018 Buford Ellington Faculty Award (<10 yrs service)
  • 2018 William T. Miles, M.D., Memorial Award for Community Service; UTIA
Recent News
For More Information
Cattle Gut Microbe Series
Teaching & Learning Publications

Prospective M.S. & Ph.D. Students

Interested in Graduate Research?

Interested in rumen microbiology, host–microbiome interactions, beef cattle nutrition, or microbial genomics? Learn more about graduate study in Animal Science at the University of Tennessee and potential research opportunities in our group.

Explore Graduate Study → Questions about research opportunities? pmyer@tennessee.edu

Research Focus

  • Beef Cattle Rumen Microbiology
  • Host-Microbiome Interactions
  • Beef Cattle Feed Efficiency
  • Mitigation of Enteric Methane Emissions in Ruminants

Teaching Focus

  • Beef Cattle Rumen Microbiology and Ruminology
  • Best Practices for Dynamic Scientific Presentations

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
AGNR 512 - Teaching Internship in Agriculture and Natural Resources
1 credit hour(s)

Supervised experience in teaching - test preparation and evaluation of agriculture students.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 2 hours for MS students and maximum 4 hours for PhD students.

Other Instructors: Bacon, Laura | McLean, Kyle | Edwards, J. Lannett | Essington, Michael E | Zhao, Yang | Rius, Agustin G | Vierck, Kelly | Kojima, Freddie Naoto | Yang, Yanqiu

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
ANSC 330 - Comparative Animal Nutrition
3 credit hour(s)

Nutrients and their sources, assimilation, function, and requirements. Essential nutrients in carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. Identification of commonly used feedstuffs. Ration nutrient analysis and formulation for beef and dairy cattle, sheep, horses, swine, poultry, laboratory and companion animals.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hours lecture and 1 lab.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : ANSC 220 with a grade of C– or better and CHEM 112* or CHEM 132*.

Semesters Offered: Spring
ANSC 338 - Honors: Comparative Animal Nutrition
3 credit hour(s)

Nutrients and their sources, assimilation, function, and requirements. Essential nutrients in carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. Identification of commonly used feedstuffs. Ration nutrient analysis and formulation for beef and dairy cattle, sheep, horses, swine, poultry, laboratory and companion animals.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hours lecture and 1 lab.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : ANSC 220 with a grade of C– or better and CHEM 112* or CHEM 132*.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Semesters Offered: Spring
ANSC 635 - Ruminology
3 credit hour(s)

Anatomy, physiology, and microbiology of rumen ecosystem: microbial fermentation and metabolism of polysaccharides, lipids and nitrogen.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate or permission of instructor.

Semesters Offered: Spring
ANSC 696 - Seminar on Advanced Topics in Animal Science
1 credit hour(s)

Advanced topics in animal science. Required of all first- and second-year MS and PhD students.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 4 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

Semesters Offered: Spring
Publications
Find more publications by Phillip R Myer
Picture of Phillip R Myer

865-974-3184

pmyer@tennessee.edu

ORCID: 0000-0002-1980-2105
Google Scholar
355 Brehm Animal Science Bldg
2506 River Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Microbiology, Purdue Univ West Lafayette, 2013
  • BS, Biology/Biological Sciences, Bradley University, 2008
Lab Members
Juan Fernando Cordero Llarena
Rachel Nicole Flinchum
Katherine Patricia Feldmann
Laney Stephens
Web Presence
X - @RumenMicroLab
rumenmicrobes.utk.edu
ResearchGate
LinkedIn

Phillip R Myer

Professor | Animal Science
Picture of Phillip R Myer image

865-974-3184

pmyer@tennessee.edu

ORCID: 0000-0002-1980-2105
Google Scholar
355 Brehm Animal Science Bldg
2506 River Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Microbiology, Purdue Univ West Lafayette, 2013
  • BS, Biology/Biological Sciences, Bradley University, 2008
Overview

Microbes → Cattle → Production

Big Questions We Ask

We study the rumen microbiome to understand why cattle differ in how they use feed, adapt to their environment, and produce methane—and how that biology can be translated into practical improvements for beef production.

Feed Efficiency

Why do some cattle make better use of feed than others?

Host + Microbiome

How do animal genetics, rumen cells, and microbes work together?

Methane

What drives differences in enteric methane emissions among cattle?

Rumen Resilience

How does the rumen microbiome adapt while maintaining function?

Exploring how rumen microbes, host biology, nutrition, and management interact to influence cattle performance and production.

Angus cattle at a University of Tennessee research center
Current USDA Research

Genes, Cells & Microbes

Connecting host genetics, rumen-wall biology, and microbial communities to better understand variation in feed efficiency.

Explore the project →
NP51
Complete Genome Sequence
Ligilactobacillus animalis
Research Showcase

Sequencing a Beef Cattle Probiotic

We generated the complete genome sequence of Ligilactobacillus animalis NP51, a cattle-derived probiotic used in beef production.

Explore the research →
Illustration representing 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing
Microbiome Methods

Best Practices for Microbiome Research

Practical guidance for designing, conducting, analyzing, and reporting 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies in animal science.

Read the publication →
F.U.S.E. Animal Science fellowship
Training the Next Generation

F.U.S.E. Animal Science

A USDA-NIFA fellowship connecting undergraduate research, Extension, professional development, and mentoring across animal science.

Discover F.U.S.E. →
Honors

  • 2026 Webster Pendergrass Outstanding Service Award; UTIA
  • 2026 Mid-Career Faculty Research Excellence Award; UTIA AgResearch
  • 2024 W.S. Overton Faculty Award of Merit; Herbert College of Agriculture
  • 2024 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Teaching Award of Merit
  • 2023 Outstanding Early Career Animal Scientist Award - Research; ASAS-Southern Section
  • 2023 Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award; Herbert College of Agriculture
  • 2021 T.J. Whatley Distinguished Young Scientist Award; UTIA AgResearch
  • 2020 Gamma Sigma Delta Research Award; UTIA
  • 2018 Buford Ellington Faculty Award (<10 yrs service)
  • 2018 William T. Miles, M.D., Memorial Award for Community Service; UTIA
Recent News
For More Information
Cattle Gut Microbe Series
Teaching & Learning Publications

Prospective M.S. & Ph.D. Students

Interested in Graduate Research?

Interested in rumen microbiology, host–microbiome interactions, beef cattle nutrition, or microbial genomics? Learn more about graduate study in Animal Science at the University of Tennessee and potential research opportunities in our group.

Explore Graduate Study → Questions about research opportunities? pmyer@tennessee.edu

Research Focus

  • Beef Cattle Rumen Microbiology
  • Host-Microbiome Interactions
  • Beef Cattle Feed Efficiency
  • Mitigation of Enteric Methane Emissions in Ruminants

Teaching Focus

  • Beef Cattle Rumen Microbiology and Ruminology
  • Best Practices for Dynamic Scientific Presentations

Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
AGNR 512 - Teaching Internship in Agriculture and Natural Resources
1 credit hour(s)

Supervised experience in teaching - test preparation and evaluation of agriculture students.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 2 hours for MS students and maximum 4 hours for PhD students.

Other Instructors: Bacon, Laura | McLean, Kyle | Edwards, J. Lannett | Essington, Michael E | Zhao, Yang | Rius, Agustin G | Vierck, Kelly | Kojima, Freddie Naoto | Yang, Yanqiu

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
ANSC 330 - Comparative Animal Nutrition
3 credit hour(s)

Nutrients and their sources, assimilation, function, and requirements. Essential nutrients in carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. Identification of commonly used feedstuffs. Ration nutrient analysis and formulation for beef and dairy cattle, sheep, horses, swine, poultry, laboratory and companion animals.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hours lecture and 1 lab.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : ANSC 220 with a grade of C– or better and CHEM 112* or CHEM 132*.

Semesters Offered: Spring
ANSC 338 - Honors: Comparative Animal Nutrition
3 credit hour(s)

Nutrients and their sources, assimilation, function, and requirements. Essential nutrients in carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. Identification of commonly used feedstuffs. Ration nutrient analysis and formulation for beef and dairy cattle, sheep, horses, swine, poultry, laboratory and companion animals.

Contact Hour Distribution: 2 hours lecture and 1 lab.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : ANSC 220 with a grade of C– or better and CHEM 112* or CHEM 132*.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Semesters Offered: Spring
ANSC 635 - Ruminology
3 credit hour(s)

Anatomy, physiology, and microbiology of rumen ecosystem: microbial fermentation and metabolism of polysaccharides, lipids and nitrogen.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate or permission of instructor.

Semesters Offered: Spring
ANSC 696 - Seminar on Advanced Topics in Animal Science
1 credit hour(s)

Advanced topics in animal science. Required of all first- and second-year MS and PhD students.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 4 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.

Semesters Offered: Spring
Publications
Find more publications by Phillip R Myer
Lab Members
Juan Fernando Cordero Llarena
Rachel Nicole Flinchum
Katherine Patricia Feldmann
Laney Stephens
Web Presence
X - @RumenMicroLab
rumenmicrobes.utk.edu
ResearchGate
LinkedIn