Parks, John Eliot
Professor
Dr. John Parks is a reproductive physiologist in the Department of Animal Science specializing in gamete physiology. His research interests have been focused on sperm production and function. Areas of emphasis have been (1) lipid composition of the mammalian sperm plasma membrane as it relates to capacitation and fertilization as well as cryopreservation, and (2) gene expression during spermatogenesis as it relates to germ cell specificity and male fertility. Dr. Parks teaches 2 upper division reproductive physiology courses and labs and contributes to a graduate level reproductive physiology course. Dr. Parks also directs the Cornell Raptor Program which demonstrates and promotes aspects of animal husbandry relevant to raptor conservation, including captive breeding. He co-teaches an exotic avian husbandry course.
research
research and scholarship focus
Research focus is on evaluating and improving the fertility of the male with emphasis on dairy cattle. This includes basic and applied aspects of sperm evaluation, processing, and cryopreservation for use in artificial insemination and other reproductive technologies. Recent efforts have also included evaluating gene expression in the developing testis and its potential for assessing causes of infertility and predicting individual male fertility.
primary investigator of
- CORNELL RAPTOR PROGRAM | Research Grant
research areas
- animal science | collaborative research area (CALS)
- cellular & molecular physiology | research concentration area (Vet)
- reproductive physiology | research concentration area (Vet)
- wildlife management | collaborative research area (CALS)
- youth | collaborative research area (CALS)
submitted impact statement
- Development of bovine spermatogenesis in vivo and in vitro and relationship to male fertility. | 2007 Impact statement
- Processing and preserving bull semen for use in artificial insemination and other reproductive technologies | 2007 Impact statement
- Development of bovine spermatogenesis in vivo and in vitro and relationship to male fertility. | 2006 Impact statement
- Development of bovine spermatogenesis in vivo and in vitro and relationship to male fertility. | 2005 Impact statement
- Development of bovine spermatogenesis in vivo and in vitro modification of the male germ line. | 2004 Impact statement
affiliations
faculty appointment in
- Animal Science (AN SC) | Cornell department
- CE-Summer College
member of graduate field
- Animal Science | graduate field
- Molecular and Integrative Physiology | graduate field
teaching
teaching focus
AS300. Comprehensive coverage of reproduction and development in domestic and companion animals as well as humans and wildlife. Emphasis on the basic anatomy, physiology, and endocrinology of reproduction and related reproductive technology. Optional laboratory (AS301) with emphasis on anatomy, histology, and reproductive technology.|AS425. Literature based course on cellular and molecular aspects of germ cell production and function and associated reproductive technologies.|AS215. Identification, natural history, and captive care and maintenance of exotic avian species focused on psittacines (parrot family) and birds of prey with emphasis on appropriate husbandry of captive birds and conservation of wild bird populations.
teaches
- ANSC 2150 - Exotic Avian Husbandry and Propagation (M 02:30:PM-04:25:PM) | fall 2009 class
- ANSC 4250 - Gamete Physiology and Fertilization (R 02:30:PM-04:25:PM) | fall 2009 class
- ANSC 4960 - Internship in Animal Science (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- ANSC 4970 - Individual Study in Animal Science (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- ANSC 4980 - Undergraduate Teaching (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- ANSC 4990 - Undergraduate Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- ANSC 7900 - Graduate-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- ANSC 8900 - Master's-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- ANSC 9900 - Doctoral-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- BIOAP 4250 - Gamete Physiology and Fertilization (R 02:30:PM-04:25:PM) | fall 2009 class
- ANSC 2400 - Animal Reproduction and Development (MWF 10:10:AM-11:00:AM) | spring 2009 class
- ANSC 2410 - Animal Reproduction and Development Lab (F 01:25:PM-04:25:PM) | spring 2009 class
- ANSC 2410 - Animal Reproduction and Development Lab (M 01:25:PM-04:25:PM) | spring 2009 class
- ANSC 2410 - Animal Reproduction and Development Lab (W 01:25:PM-04:25:PM) | spring 2009 class
- ANSC 4970 - Individual Study in Animal Science (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- ANSC 4980 - Undergraduate Teaching (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- ANSC 4990 - Undergraduate Research (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- ANSC 7900 - Graduate-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- ANSC 8900 - Master's-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- ANSC 9900 - Doctoral-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- ANSC 2150 - Exotic Avian Husbandry and Propagation (M 02:30:PM-04:25:PM) | fall 2008 class
service
outreach focus
Within the A.I. industry relating basic aspects of male anatomy, physiology, and semen characteristics to applied aspects of semen evaluation, processing, preservation, and fertility, 1-2 times per year.||Through the Cornell Raptor Program, engaging students, staff, alumni, and the public in raptor conservation efforts through student-led educational programs including live bird exhibition, 2-3 times per month.
background
educational background
- Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Inst.
Keywords: capacitation, cryobiology, fertility, fertilization, physiology of reproduction, reproduction, spermatogenesis, spermatology