Send us Fan Mail Our first guest on the Deep Roots Podcast is Jhones Sarturi, Ph.D. Sarturi comes from a diverse background, a veterinarian with additional degrees in agronomy and animal science. When he joined Texas Tech University in 2019, he stepped into a newly created position that allowed him to build courses and develop research programs. Today, he also serves as a Faculty Fellow in the Office of International Affairs, splitting his time as an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences in Beef Cattle Nutrition & Metabolism. In this episode, we sit down with Sarturi to talk about his research focus, challenges, and the unanswered questions that motivate him to get out of bed before his alarm clock goes off.The heart of Sarturi’s research is digestive physiology, seeking ultimately to understand how animals metabolize and utilize nutrients. While much of his early work focused on beef cattle, his research now spans much broader applications. As Sarturi strives to blend both basic and applied science, researching not just what happens inside an animal’s digestive system, but how it happens is important. By understanding these pathways, researchers can develop strategies to help animals use nutrients more efficiently. This can lead to improved productivity, reduced resource use, and greater sustainability, especially in challenging environments such as semi-arid regions. Collaboration plays a vital role in his research. From partnerships with other universities to direct engagement with producers and agricultural associations, he emphasizes that meaningful research begins with meaningful questions. Often, those questions come directly from the community. He reminds us that good research doesn’t just provide answers; it generates better questions. Sarturi hopes listeners can takeaway one key message, and that is to ask yourself, “Are we making somebody’s life better and are we doing our best to make that a reality?” Sarturi emphasizes applying that to any job, especially in research. Looking ahead, his vision centers on contributing to large-scale, team-based solutions, particularly those addressing sustainability, water use, and global food production. Let us know your thoughts on Dr. Sarturi’s research, reach out to him for more information, and be sure to subscribe to Deep Roots!
