The College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University has hired Steve Ensley, formerly a clinical professor at Iowa State University, to enhance toxicology services and education.

"Dr. Ensley is recognized as one of the foremost veterinary clinical toxicologists in the country," said Hans Coetzee, head of the anatomy and physiology department in the College of Veterinary Medicine. "He is a phenomenal instructor and diagnostician whose commitment to teaching and service will have a significant impact on veterinary students, practitioners and livestock producers throughout Kansas and beyond."

In addition to providing toxicology training to veterinary students, Ensley also will develop toxicology testing and consulting services for the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Ensley grew up in Centralia, where his father, Leroy Ensley, a 1961 Kansas State University Doctor of Veterinary Medicine alumnus, had a mixed animal practice. Ensley received a bachelor's degree at Kansas State University and then followed with Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, which he earned in 1981. He then practiced mixed medicine in Nebraska and Kansas for more than 14 years.

Following his time in practice, Ensley obtained a master's degree and doctorate in toxicology from Iowa State University. While completing his advanced degrees, Ensley worked in Iowa State's veterinary diagnostic laboratory for five years. After completing his doctorate in 2000, he became the director of the University of Nebraska's Diagnostic Laboratory at North Platte. Ensley then worked for Bayer AG as a research toxicologist/pathologist. He returned to a toxicology position at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Iowa State University in May 2006. In his most recent position, Ensley taught, conducted research and acted as clinical toxicologist for the diagnostic laboratory.

Ensley's interests are clinical veterinary toxicology and applied veterinary toxicology research. His master's degree and doctorate involved drinking water quality of swine and dairy cattle and the effects on production and reproduction. The effects that hazardous algal blooms have on animals are a direct extension of his primary water quality work. Ensley has published extensively on applied veterinary toxicology and gives numerous presentations on these topics. He is a member of the Academy of Veterinary Consultants and American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians.