Dana DeRego Catron (BS ’09) believes her education in animal sciences at WSU laid a solid foundation for her future endeavors, where she was inspired by influential mentors like Dr. Zhihua Jiang and Dr. Kris Johnson, who encouraged her to engage in undergraduate research and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
She continued her education at New Mexico State University (NMSU), obtaining a master’s degree in rhetoric and professional communication, and is currently pursuing a PhD in the same field. Her unique background in animal sciences allowed her to bring a distinctive perspective to her graduate studies.
A graduate assistantship at Arrowhead Center, NMSU’s technology transfer, intellectual property and economic development office, led to a career-defining opportunity. Today, Catron serves as the interim Director and CEO of Arrowhead Center, overseeing a team of nearly 40 and more than 20 innovation-focused programs. She is the principal investigator on multiple federal funding awards supporting entrepreneurship, tech commercialization and small business development across New Mexico.
She continues to bridge her agricultural roots with her work in innovation and commercialization, securing funding to launch New Mexico’s first Agriculture Venture Center and supporting rural communities with efforts like the Mobile Matanza, a semimobile meat processing facility in northern New Mexico. She also works with NMSU’s Dr. Craig Gifford to commercialize the BoviPrime Health Test, a diagnostic tool to identify bulls that sire calves more resilient to bovine respiratory disease.
We honor Catron with the 2025 Outstanding Alumnus Award, a recognition of her accomplishments and continued impact in both the agricultural and innovation sectors.
“Choosing a career path isn’t always linear,” she advises today’s students. “The skills you gain in animal sciences can open doors far beyond what you might expect. Stay curious, build relationships with your professors, and don’t be afraid to explore paths that still connect you to the industry in meaningful ways.”
Catron lives with her husband and two daughters (ages 5 and 8) on property outside of Santa Fe, where they have horses, goats and continue to navigate farming in the high desert. In between her work and coaching a local swim team, she’s still deeply connected to the land – and to the lessons she learned as a Coug.
Dana DeRego Catron’s remarkable journey, from her transformative experience at WSU to her significant contributions to agriculture and innovation, exemplifies her status as an extraordinary alum. Her story serves as an inspiration to current and future students, highlighting the profound impact of dedication, mentorship, and a passion for one’s field.