Steven A. Zinn

Professor

At UConn, Dr. Zinn teaches Endocrinology in Farm Animals, a portion of Growth Biology in Farm Animals, and the Writing class associated with each class. He advises many animal science students. His research is focused on maternal nutrition in sheep, as well development of curricula for non- traditional classes for 7 to 12th graders.

Education

  • Ph.D., Animal Science, Michigan State University, 1989
  • M.S., Animal Science, Michigan State University, 1984
  • B.S., Animal Science, Cornell University, 1978

Teaching

  • ANSC 3313/5616. Endocrinology of Farm Animals
  • ANSC 3317W. Scientific Writing in Endocrinology of Farm Animals
  • ANSC 3313/5613. Growth Biology and Metabolism in Domestic Livestock
  • ANSC 3314W. Scientific Writing in Growth Biology and Metabolism of Domestic Livestock

Research Areas / Expertise

  • Endocrinology
  • Growth Biology
  • Sheep
  • Cattle

Selected Publications

  1. Tillquist, N. M., Govoni, K. E., Zinn, S. A., & Reed, S. A. (2025). Poor maternal nutrition during gestation in sheep alters key hormonal systems involved in energy homeostasis and appetite in the offspring. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 91, Article 106907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2024.106907
  2. Reed, S., Meyer, A., & Zinn, S. (2025). Meeting the moment: using scientific conferences and journals to promote equity and inclusion in animal science. Animal Frontiers, 15(6), 38–41. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfaf038
  3. Reed, S. A., Ashley, R., Silver, G., Splaine, C., Jones, A. K., Pillai, S. M., Peterson, M. L., Zinn, S. A., & Govoni, K. E. (2022). Maternal nutrient restriction and over-feeding during gestation alter expression of key factors involved in placental development and vascularization. Journal of Animal Science, 100(6). https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skac155
  4. Soranno, L. M., Jones, A. K., Pillai, S. M., Hoffman, M. L., Zinn, S. A., Govoni, K. E., & Reed, S. A. (2022). Effects of poor maternal nutrition during gestation on ewe and offspring plasma concentrations of leptin and ghrelin. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 78, Article 106682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2021.106682
  5. Tillquist, N. M., Reed, S. A., Kawaida, M. Y., Reiter, A. S., Smith, B. I., Jang, H., Lee, J.-Y., Lee, E. C., Zinn, S. A., & Govoni, K. E. (2023). Restricted- and over-feeding during gestation decreases growth of offspring throughout maturity. Translational Animal Science, 7(1), txad061. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txad061

Selected Awards and Honors

  • Morrison Award, American Society of Animal Science (2021)
  • H. Allen Tucker Lactation & Endocrinology Award, American Society of Animal Science (2014)
  • Teaching Fellow, University of Connecticut (2016)
  • ASAS Fellow, American Society of Animal Science (2015)
  • Outstanding Advisor Award, University of Connecticut (2023)

    Outreach and Service

    Dr. Zinn served as the President of the American Society of Animal Science, The Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Animal Science, and co-Founder and first Editor-in-Chief of Animal Frontiers. He serves on numerous committees at UConn and in other organizations, having earned Service Awards from the Provost (2024), AAUP (2023), the CVMA (2019), and the northeast section of ASAS (2008).

    Steven Zinn
    Contact Information
    Emailsteven.zinn@uconn.edu
    Phone(860) 486-0861
    Office LocationWITE 102