Our Graduate Students

My research is in the area of molecular genetics and genomics of sheep and cattle.

My major professor is Brenda Murdoch, Ph.D.

• B.S. Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Idaho
• B.A. English, University of Idaho

My research is focused on improving meat quality by reducing lipid oxidation in beef patties. This would help reduce beef waste by increasing shelf life.

• Major professor: Michael Colle, Ph.D.
• B.S. Food Science, University of Tehran, Iran
• Hometown: Tehran, Iran

My research focuses on cardiac ventricular contractility and heart disease. We are currently working on quantifying the prevalence of cardiomyopathy in beef cattle and identifying developmental changes in left ventricular contractility of large mammals, from the fetus to neonate.

• Major professor: Daniel Fitzsimons, Ph.D.
• B.S., University of Florida
• Hometown: Lakeland, Florida

I am looking at congestive heart failure in feedlot cattle and the possible impact on meat quality. Cardiac diseases are now causing 4% mortality rate in feedyards; we are performing morphologic measurements, histology and sarcomere length and potentially identifying main disease(s) present.

• Major professor: Daniel Fitzsimons, Ph.D.
• B.S., Animal Science: Pre-veterinary option, University of Idaho
• Hometown: Madera, California

My research interests include exploring the nutrient (protein, lipid and lactose) and bioactive composition of human milk and non-nutritive components such as the microbiome. I hope to expand our understanding of the impact of milk bioactives on human health. I employ methods such as DNA extraction, PCR, DNA sequencing, lipid extraction and gas chromatography to explore milk composition. Additionally, I am working to find optimal ways to collect a representative milk sample for a variety of components including the microbiome.

Major professor: Mark McGuire, Ph.D.

• B.S., Zoology
• Hometown: Gig Harbor, Washington

My research focuses on examining the impacts of an alternative fabrication method on the round primal in heavy weight cattle carcasses (HCW>1,000 lbs). This fabrication method could potentially have effects on the initial chilling rate, meat color and tenderness of cuts generated from the top round and the knuckle. We are exploring the possibilities to mitigate color and tenderness issues often observed in top round steaks in a retail setting by employing this alternative fabrication method.

• Major professor: Phil Bass, Ph.D.
• M.S. Meat Science, Purdue University
• B.S. Animal Science, minors in Biology and Forensics Science, Purdue University
• Hometown: Beijing, China

My research focuses on innovative, biologically based preservation strategies against Bacillus cereus, a pathogenic bacterium known for causing foodborne illnesses. The study assesses the antimicrobial activity of kefir, a dairy product that contains bacteriocins and non-pathogenic bacteria that are known to produce antimicrobials against B. cereus using the agar well diffusion method. Bacteriocin-sensitive microorganisms, including Lactobacillus plantarum and Micrococcus luteus, serve as indicator strains. Nisin, a well-characterized bacteriocin is utilized as a positive control. This study aims to uncover alternatives to chemical preservatives to address the growing demand for natural food products and enhance food safety. The implications of this research are significant, promising advancements in food science, microbiology and public health by fostering sustainable food preservation strategies and contributing to improved global health and well-being.

• Major professor: Gulhan Unlu, Ph.D.
• B.S., Food Science, University of Idaho, 2022
• Hometown: Yangon, Myanmar

I am working in the field of fish nutrigenomics. I will use my expertise to select some Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) lines that utilizes the plant-based feed more efficiently. Overall, my project will provide a unique opportunity to develop efficient and economical methods to fully explore the roles of genetics and nutrition for enhancing sustainable aquaculture and thus providing a source of healthy protein to a growing world population.

My major research focuses on:

• Interplay between fish nutrition and genetics
• Genetic selection of rainbow trout lines
• Dietary impacts of soybean meal on  gut microbiome and its characterization by next gen sequencing
• A bio-informatic processing of data of massive gene expression analyses (RNA-seq)

My major professor is Vikas Kumar, Ph.D.

• M.S. Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Missouri-St. Louis
• B.S. Fish Nutrigenomics and Microbiome
• All the knowledge I gained through bachelor and master program guided me to the interesting field of fish nutrigenomics and microbiome

My research is focused on understanding the immunological effects of wildfire smoke on dairy cows' and calves' respiratory systems. Our specific goal is to expand the current knowledge about wildfire smoke as an environmental stressor for dairy cows and calves and provide producers with a feasible solution to improve animal health and productivity.

• Major professor: Amy Skibiel, Ph.D.
• DVM, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran, 2018
• Hometown: Kerman, Iran

I am researching inflammatory markers in dairy calves that were exposed to wildfire smoke during gestation. My project is part of ongoing research to understand how wildfire smoke impacts dairy cattle.

• Major professor: Denise Konetchy, DVM
• B.S.A.V.S., University of Idaho, 2020
• Hometown: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

My research focuses on the responses of salmonids to changes in water temperature as a result of global warming, particularly Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus). We will use genomics tools to evaluate the cellular mechanisms that govern physiological responses during heat-stress.

My major professor is Madison Powell, Ph.D.

• M.Sc. Marine Science and Limnology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), México
• B.S. Biology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), México
• Hometown: Mexico City

My research focuses on the development of microfluidic devices for culturing fish intestinal cells for use in anti-nutrition and intestinal physiology research. A secondary objective is to contribute to the characterization of the rainbow trout cell line RTgutGC by expanding current knowledge of the digestive and barrier functions of the cell line.

Major professor: Madison Powell, Ph.D.

• B.S. Plant and Wildlife Ecology, 2021

My research focuses on the direct and indirect effects of heat stress on the Holstein dairy cow liver and mammary tissue, specifically studying how heat stress affects the mitochondria. With this research, we are trying to understand the cellular mechanisms underpinning heat stress effects on dairy cow lactation. My theoretical framework builds upon the body of literature on mitochondrial dysfunction as a central etiology to the physiological impairments caused by heat stress. With this research we hope to develop mitigation strategies.

Major professor: Amy Skibiel, Ph.D.

• B.S., Animal Sciences and Global Resource Systems, Iowa State University
• Hometown: Carolina, Puerto Rico

My current research is focused on understanding the impacts of wildfire smoke exposure on dairy cow health and production, and dairy calf health and growth. Ultimately, my goal with this project is to expand on our understanding of environmental stressors, such as poor air quality associated with wildfire smoke, on cattle physiology. As a researcher, I would like to contribute to producer knowledge and solutions involving environmental stressors to ensure animals are healthy and low stress, thereby fostering an environment for high productivity.

Major Professor: Amy Skibiel, Ph.D.

• B.S. Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Hometown: Walton, Nebraska

With rising concerns about antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in the animal agriculture industry, my research focuses on reducing antimicrobial resistance and improving health in young calves. My research will utilize bovine originated direct fed microbes, also known as probiotics, to examine the impact on enteric pathogens and overall health in weaning dairy calves.

• Major Professor: Denise Konetchy, DVM
• B.S. Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Idaho
• Hometown: Grace, Idaho

Danny is dedicated to advancing dairy industry practices through cutting edge research and its influence on various aspects of production in lactating cows. As the dairy industry increasingly enhances the trend towards higher efficiency, enhanced profitability and sustainable practices, Danny's work plays a role in optimizing this transformation.

• Major Professor: Izabelle Teixeira, Ph.D.
• B.S., University of Idaho, 2023
• A.S., College of Southern Idaho, 2021
• Hometown: Jerome, Idaho

I am working in the field of fish nutrition and bioenergetics. I will use nutritional, physiological and molecular tools to illustrate post-embryonic muscle development in different selected strains of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) via precision nutrition.

My doctorate work is supported by the Netaji Subhas — ICAR International Fellowship (2019-20), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, India.

My major professor is Vikas Kumar, Ph.D.

• M.F.Sc., Fish Nutrition and Feed Technology, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, India, 2017-19
• B.F.Sc., Fisheries Science, Faculty of Fishery Sciences, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, India, 2013-17

My research is developing a model using milk urea nitrogen as a predictive index for dietary crude protein in the lactating dairy cow. Our goal is to reduce nitrogen emissions through better feed management programs on the dairies.

• Major professor: Mireille Chahine, Ph.D.
• B.S. Agribusiness Management, Brigham Young University-Idaho, 2017
• Hometown: Idaho Falls

Specializing in meat science, more specifically, non-allergenic, plant-based water binders to improve the shelf life of beef patties, thereby reducing food waste.

• Major Professor: Michael Colle, Ph.D.
• B.S., Animal Science, West Texas A&M University
• Hometown: Wichita Falls, Texas

My research focuses on determining phenotypic expression of bitter taste perception in sheep. The ultimate goal of this research is the development of sire lines and implementation of sheep breeding programs for application in the area of seasonal grazing management.

My major professor is Melinda Ellison, Ph.D.

• M.S., Agriculture – Animal Science, Cal Poly Pomona, 2020
• B.S., Animal Science – Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Cal Poly Pomona, 2017

My research is in the area of molecular genetics and genomics of sheep and cattle.

My major professor is Brenda Murdoch, Ph.D.

• B.S. Animal Science, University of Findlay
• B.S. Biology, University of Findlay

My research focuses on the supplementation of rumen protected omega-6 fatty acids to beef cows during the late gestation and post artificial insemination (AI) time frames and its factors on cow reproduction and performance as well as calf-preweaning growth and health. The reproductive factors we will be focusing on are pregnancy rates to fixed time-AI, corpus luteum size and diameter, blood progesterone levels, as well as pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs).

• Major Professor: John Hall, Ph.D.
• B.S. Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University
• Hometown: Orting, Washington

Our research is dedicated to evaluating heat shock protein 70 (hsp70), antioxidants — especially, those involved in the mitigation of stress induced by reactive oxygenated species (ROS), including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in mature, lactating range cattle during the summer months. Additional focus is placed on the influence of stress on grazing behavior and the results of implementing technologies (injectable trace mineral; ITM) on SODs, catalase and GPx.

Ultimately, we hope to find the best candidates for range cellulose conversion as well as strategies to implement in husbandry practices to promote efficiency in this capacity.

Major professor is Jim Sprinkle, Ph.D.

• M.S.; Angelo State University
• M.A.T; University of Arkansas
• B.S.; University of Arkansas
• PAS; American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists

Publications and Presentations

• Sullivan, L.T., J.W. Dickison, C.M. Harris, M.W. Salisbury, and C. A. Runyan. 2018. Evaluation of essential oil and injectable trace mineral on bull growth performance and fertility. Transl. Anim. Sci. 2:S189–S192 doi: 10.1093/tas/
• Beck, P., L.T. Sullivan, M. Sims, J. Jennings. Reducing Winter Feeding Needs in Southern Arkansas Through the Use of Best Management Grazing Principles. 2014. Joint Annual Meeting (JAM).

My research focus is on applying genomic technology for identifying parasite resistance, reproduction and health related traits of sheep. I hope that by better understanding of the genetic mechanisms that control these economically important traits precision breeding tools can eventually be developed to used by industry.

Major Professor: Brenda Murdoch, Ph.D.

• M.S., Physiology of Reproduction, Texas A&M University, 2013
• B.S., Animal Science, Texas A&M University, 2010
• Hometown: Winters, California
• Current residence: San Angelo, Texas

My major professor is Gordon Murdoch, Ph.D..

• B.S., Oregon State University, 2019
• Hometown is Idaho
• Recipient of undergraduate research award at 2019 PNW Animal Nutrition conference
• First recipient of the Hunt Family Research and Education Endowment Fund
• Summer internship at Johnson research in 2018

My research focuses on the effects of various aging strategies on water holding capacity, color, tenderness and sensory characteristics of the longissimus thoracis and gluteus medius in beef subprimals.

• Major professor: Michael Colle, Ph.D.
• B.S., Animal Science, West Texas A&M University
• Hometown: Lewiston, Idaho