Rohan Fernando

Rohan L. Fernando (born January 19, 1952) is a Sri Lankan American geneticist who is a professor of quantitative genetics in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University (ISU), US. Fernando's efforts have focused primarily on theory and methods for use of genetic markers in breeding, theory and methods for genetic evaluations of crossbred animals, methodology related to the estimation of genetic parameters and the prediction of genetic merit in populations undergoing selection and non-random mating, Bayesian methodology for analysis of unbalanced mixed model data, optimization of breeding programs, and use of computer simulation to study dynamics of genetic system. Early life and education Fernando was born in Sri Lanka in 1952 where he was raised alongside his three brothers. His family owned land with livestock, such as dairy cows and poultry. This land was away from his home, so he only visited during holidays. Fernando had a passion for livestock in his younger years, and always considered his family's lifestyle to be a hobby as opposed to a job. His family encouraged him to obtain greater education, but since the public university in Sri Lanka was difficult to get into, they sent him and his three brothers to the United States. Another factor that went into the decision of pursuing education in the United States was Sri Lanka's political landscape at the time. Fernando attended junior college from 1972 to 1975  at Aquinas College in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he graduated with first class honors with a diploma in agriculture. Because he graduated with high distinction, in 1976 Fernando decided to pursue a bachelor's degree in agricultural science with an emphasis in animal science from California State University, Fresno.