Department of Animal Science

Faculty

	Philip L. Spike Professor of Animal Science Iowa State University 119 Kildee Hall Ames, IA 50011-3150 Phone: 515-294-6030 Fax: 515-294-0018 Email: plspike@iastate.edu
Education Doctor of Philosophy, Iowa State University: 1975 Master of Science, Michigan State University: 1972 Bachelor of Science, Michigan State University: 1970
Instruction Dr. Spike's primary responsibility is teaching and advising. Dr. Spike is part of the faculty team responsible for AnS 211, "Issues Facing Animal Science". He coordinates the undergraduate internship program for Animal Science, AnS 399A and AnS 399B. Dr. Spike is in charge of AnS 352, "Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals" for the fall semester and has offered a web section for that course for the past several years. He has been very active in committees on campus that administer student computer fees on campus (CAC and TAC).
Research Dr. Spike's area of research is the application of computer technology to livestock production. His most recent project is the development of a genetic simulation called FLIP, Finite Loci with Infinite Possibilities. FLIP can simulate inheritance for diploid organisms with a variable number of genes, chromosomes and traits. Traits are simulated by combining genetic effects and random environmental effects. Genetic effects are simulated from genes with known effects and linkages and the optional addition of unlinked genes whose effects will generate desired means, variances and covariances. In addition to linkage effects, FLIP can simulate imprinting, dominance and epistasis. Trait performance of simulated animals can demonstrate response to selection as well as inbreeding depression and heterosis.
Professional Affiliations American Society of Animal Science American Dairy Science Association. ISU Computation Advisory Committee, chair.