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Dr. Butcher studied muscle and bone biomechanical functions while earning his degrees. He earned his bachelors degree in exercise science and biology from Christopher Newport University and his masters in functional morphology and biomechanics from Wake Forest University. At the University of Calgary, Dr. Butcher earned his Ph.D. in biomechanics and muscle physiology.

Michael had also held a post-doctoral fellowship at Clemson University studying the evolution of bone loading in the limb systems of turtles and early mammals with Dr. Richard Blob.

While he continues collaborate with Dr. Blob, Michael explained, “At YSU, I now study the muscle structure and muscle fiber type in the prehensile tails of didelphid marsupials (opossums) and muscle structure and force production in the forelimb of digging specialists (like badgers and moles).”

Dr. Butcher is not all about his research though. While he may be often found in is lab, Michael also enjoys the Rec Center and mentoring his graduate students. He enjoys interacting with his undergraduate students too.

“[Y]ou do not realize how influential you are to their lives and the way they think and learn,” Michael says.

Michael is the faculty adviser for the YSU chapter of the American Medical Student Association, the current president of the YSU chapter of Sigma Xi, and the Biological Sciences department’s resident 'fitness guy' and foodie. Following the television show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” Dr. Butcher travels all around the country to try eclectic foods.

Over this past summer, Michael extended his travels past the United States borders and went to Costa Rica as part of a research expedition studying the prehensile tails of opossums. Dr. Butcher is no stranger to international travelling, and if he were not a professor, he would like to be a global travel guide. For now, Michael settles for being the Biological Sciences department tour guide on Crash Days.

Dr. Butcher’s most current research papers were published this January:

Hazimihalis PJ, Gorvet MA, Butcher MT. 2013. Myosin isoform fiber type and fiber size in the tail of the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Anat Rec 296: 96-107.

Moore AL, Budny JE, Russell AP, Butcher MT. 2013. Architectural specialization of the intrinsic thoracic limb musculature of the American badger (Taxidea taxus). J Morphol 274: 35-48.

For more information, check out his laboratory website here!

“[YSU] was a great foundational platform. It combined real world experience and academics for a much better understanding of the material,” Dan said about how YSU prepared him for his career.

After YSU, Dan took a job in Chicago. He wasn’t in Chicago long before he found an opening at Lubrizol, in Cleveland, Ohio. As an engineering manager for Lubrizol, he tested driveline and industrial lubricants. After four years, he was promoted to his current position as department manager of blend test services.

Dan attributes much of his success to the drive of his wife and children, as well as some of his professors. Dr. Hojjat Mehri and Dr. Martin Cala were two of the most inspirational forces and supporters in Dan’s life.

Dr. Christopher Ciolli nominated Dan for the Outstanding Young Alumnus award. Dr. Ciolli nominated his fellow Austintown Fitch alumnus for the award because of his advancement in Lubrizol and the increase of leadership that comes with these positions.

“Under his leadership, Driveline and Industrial testing successfully developed several capital investment projects to augment our world-class mechanical test capabilities.” Dr. Ciolli said. “Dan's proactive approach to continuous improvement of our company's largest blending and testing facility has greatly benefited my (and our colleagues') technology development, product approval and technical support projects to help make our customers more successful.”