Dr. Ruth Woiwode is an Assistant Professor of Animal Behavior & Welfare in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with an appointment that includes extension, research, and teaching. She advises the Animal Behavior & Welfare Club, and the Animal Welfare Judging Team. Her research is focused on improving animal handling outcomes through a better understanding of facility design, handler skill level, and training practices.

Dr. Woiwode holds PAACO certifications for Dairy, Feedlot, Swine, Poultry, and Meat Plant animal welfare auditing. She has trained and calibrated auditors, developed audits and auditor training curriculum, and provides stockmanship and humane animal handling training for slaughter establishments, producers, and livestock auction markets.

Dr. Woiwode serves on the UNL Livestock Emergency Response Preparedness team, training Nebraska First Responders to effectively manage traffic accidents and catastrophic weather events involving livestock. She serves on the Nebraska Feedlot Safety Advisory Board, the UNL Beef Innovation Hub Faculty Advisory Committee, and the NAMI Animal Welfare Committee.