Researcher Information

Gordon Woods | Dirk Vanderwall | Ken White

Dr. Dirk Vanderwall grew up in upstate New York and worked on a dairy farm while in high school.

He earned an associate degree from the State University of New York at Cobleskill, and his baccalaureate degree with distinction from Cornell University.

While pursuing veterinary studies there in 1983, Vanderwall met Dr. Gordon Woods, then a professor at Cornell, who now directs the University of Idaho Northwest Equine Reproduction Laboratory.

Vanderwall earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 1986, then began working at one of the nation's largest Standardbred horse farms. He maintained his ties with Woods, deciding to pursue his graduate studies at the University of Idaho. He earned a doctoral degree in animal physiology in 1992 at Moscow.

He pursued post-doctoral studies at the University of Kentucky for two years. From 1994-99, he worked for Colorado State University as an assistant professor and clinical specialist focused on equine reproduction before joining the UI faculty in 1999 as an assistant professor in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Science.

Vanderwall's responsibilities for the Northwest Equine Reproduction Laboratory include teaching and public service including continuing education and consulting with veterinarians and horse owners. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists, the association of veterinary reproduction specialists.