Ed Squires, PhD, Dipl. ACT (hon.), executive director of the UK Gluck Equine Research Foundation, the director of advancement and industry relations at the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, and a pioneer in equine research, has been named the University of Kentucky Equine Initiative director and Dickson Professor of Equine Science and Management. Squires will begin working in this role April 1.

Squires takes over leadership of the initiative, an umbrella program for all things equine within UK’s College of Agriculture, from James MacLeod, VMD, PhD, John S. and Elizabeth A. Knight chair and professor of veterinary science at the Gluck Center.

"UK’s equine program is uniquely positioned to become one of the prominent equine programs in the world," Squires said. "I look forward to this new challenge and building upon the strong base developed by the previous leadership.

"Having spent more than 30 years in an equine sciences program and being involved in teaching, research, and outreach has prepared me well for this position. One of my strengths is facilitating people to work together," Squires added