Dr. J. Gordon Betts, a native East Texan, received his bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1981. Midway through his undergraduate studies, he served four years in the U.S. Navy earning the rank of Aviation Electrician’s Mate Second Class.
He continued his studies at Texas A&M University receiving his Master’s degree in 1983 and Ph.D. in 1987 in Physiology of Reproduction. His doctoral dissertation was titled “Fenprostalene-Induced Luteal Regression” and was directed by Dr. David Forrest.
Dr. Betts spent the next two years as a post-doctoral research associate in the laboratory of Dr. L. Stephen Frawley at the Medical University of South Carolina. The thrust of the research was growth physiology.
He continued his post-doctoral research training for an additional two years in the laboratory of Dr. Peter J. Hansen at the University of Florida. Dr. Hansen’s laboratory concentration was in the area of reproductive immunology.
Dr. Betts accepted a position at Texas A&M – Commerce in 1991 as an Assistant Professor. Over the next six years, he taught eight different courses including Anatomy and Physiology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology.
Following a few years in private industry, Dr. Betts joined the faculty at Tyler Junior College. In addition to Anatomy and Physiology, he has also taught Non-majors Biology, Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology and Introduction to Biotechnology. This last course was developed after a successful grant application submitted with other TJC faculty.
