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 an Idaho signature food as iconic as its potatoes: finger steaks. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate lower-valued cuts from the beef chuck, sirloin, and round for finger steak production and compare those to a more traditional loin cut commonly used for finger steaks.

Major professor: Phil Bass, Ph.D.

• B.S. Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Idaho, 2021
• A.S. Animal Science, Modesto Junior College, 2018
• Hometown: Linden, California

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

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 comparing and crossing lamb breeds for growth, carcass quality and sensory characteristics. By creating a cross that will satisfy producer standards and improve consumption, the national demand for lamb will increase, improving the profit margin for the industry.

My major professor is Michael Colle, Ph.D.

• B.S. Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Idaho, 2021
• Hometown: Simi Valley, California

Sierra is studying beef top sirloins in search of a new, innovative method of fabricating this subprimal to add value to the beef industry and satisfaction for the consumer. Little research has been conducted to assess the tenderness of each of the four individual muscles that comprise the top sirloin butt. Sierra will evaluate tenderness of these muscles across a variety of beef carcass quality and yield grades in hopes of finding the next “hidden treasure steak”: the sirloin tender.

Major Professor: Phil Bass, Ph.D.

• B.S. Agribusiness and Applied Economics; dual minors in Animal Science and Meat Science, The Ohio State University
• Hometown: Amanda, Ohio

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 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

My research focuses on the impacts of maternal dietary intake on human milk composition and maternal and infant health outcomes. The objectives of the study that I am currently working on include investigating the usefulness of a lateral flow device to detect bovine milk and soy proteins in milk produced by women consuming these foods and exploring the impact of maternal bovine milk and soy milk consumption on human milk composition and maternal/infant gastrointestinal microbiomes.

Major professors: Mark McGuire, Ph.D. and Shelley McGuire, Ph.D.

• M.S., Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Idaho, 2018
• B.S., Family and Consumer Sciences, Dietetics Option, University of Idaho, 2015
• B.A., Spanish, University of Idaho. 2015
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Commission on Dietetic Registration, 2015
• Hometown: Spokane, Washington

My program focus is in dairy cow nutrition and lactation research.

My major professor is Mark McGuire, Ph.D.

Started doctorate program in the 2016 spring semester.

• M.S. Animal Science, University of Idaho
• B.S. Animal and Veterinary Science & minor in music, University of Idaho
• College of Southern Idaho

My program focus is in ruminant nutrition in the hopes that I could contribute more to the beef cattle industry.

My major professor is Gwinyai Chibisa, Ph.D.

• B.S. Animal and Veterinary Science: Production, University of Idaho, 2017
• Following graduation worked as a research assistant at Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center and at Knott Dairy Center.

As a researcher I will amalgamate my biotechnology and aquaculture background together to develop a toolset to mitigate the detrimental effects of alternative feed ingredients in commercial fish species. The goal is to establish a novel natural gut health protocol to improve resistance to diseases in commercial fish (Nile tilapia and Rainbow trout) while ensuring the efficiency and sustainability of intensive aquaculture practices.

My major professor is Vikas Kumar, Ph.D.

• M.Sc. Aquaculture, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
• B.Sc. Biotechnology, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Spain

My research is in improving the efficiency of estrous synchronization protocols in dairy cattle.

My major professor is Amin Ahmadzadeh, Ph.D.

• B.S. Dairy Science, University of Idaho
• Hometown: Mountain Home, 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

I work in the food chemistry and rheology lab. My research focuses on rheology of dairy proteins, specifically on viscosity reduction by the application of shear, temperature and enzymes. The goal is to solve the industrial issue associated with the handling of highly viscous food protein systems.

• Major professor: Da Chen, Ph.D.
• M.S., Bundelkhand University, 2018
• B.S., Bundelkhand University, 2016
• Hometown: Jhansi, India

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

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 research is in the area of molecular genetics and genomics of rainbow trout.

My major professor is Matt Powell, Ph.D.

• B.S. Aquatic Biosciences, National Chiayi University, Taiwan, 2017

My research is focused on increasing the shelf-life of beef shipped internationally by applying topical antioxidants to the surface of the meat. By extending the retail display time of U.S. beef, the international demand will increase and improve the profit margin of cow/calf producers, feedlots and beef packers.

My major professor is Michael Colle, Ph.D.

• B.S. Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Idaho, 2019
• Hometown: Lewiston, Idaho

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