Forrest teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in reproductive physiology. He also conducts research to determine the hormonal mechanisms that control gonadal function and mating behavior through his appointment with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station.

He has received the Vice Chancellor for Agriculture's Award in Excellence for Undergraduate Teaching and for Team Research. He was selected as the Teacher of the Year by the Texas A&M Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho. He received the Haas-Litterst Outstanding Teaching Award for the Department of Animal Science. He has served as advisor to the Saddle and Sirloin Club, and currently advises the Collegiate 4-H Club. Forrest served as president of the Texas A&M Chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, 1989-90.

Professional memberships include the American Society of Animal Science, the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, the Society for the Study of Reproduction, the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, Alpha Zeta, Gamma Sigma Delta and Sigma Xi. He is a Charter Diplomate of the American College of Animal Physiology.