Agri-King Outstanding Animal Science Graduate Student Award

Sponsored by: Agri-King, Inc.

Maci L. Mueller, University of California-Davis

Maci Mueller is a Ph.D. candidate in Animal Biology at the University of California (UC), Davis, under the mentorship of Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam. She earned her B.S. in Animal Science with a Political Science minor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2016), and her M.S. in Animal Biology from UC Davis (2019). Maci was awarded a USDA-NIFA Predoctoral Fellowship (2021-Present) for her Ph.D. research, which is focused on the application of genetic-based biotechnology, specifically gene editing, in livestock production. She received the 2015 ASAS Zimbelman/Hafs Public Policy Internship Award, placed 1st in the 2018 WS-ASAS 3-minute Graduate Video Contest, and was a Foundation for Food & Agriculture (FFAR) Fellow (2018-2021). Maci is passionate about effective science communication and is driven to provide research and education to make the latest innovations in animal genetics and biotechnology applicable to livestock producers to improve animal health and welfare and production efficiency.

American Feed Industry Association Award in Nonruminant Nutrition Research

Sponsored by: American Feed Industry Association

Phillip S. Miller, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Phillip Miller was born in Reno, NV and raised in central California. In 1981 he started his education at UC Davis where he completed a B.S. and M.S. in Animal Science and received his Ph.D. in Nutrition in 1990. In 1990, Dr. Miller accepted a faculty position at the University of Nebraska as a swine nutritionist. His research area has focused on energy and amino acid nutrition in the growing pig and how nutrition during the gilt development period affects sow longevity. Recently, Dr. Miller has investigated the effects of nutrition on the microbiome in the pig. Dr. Miller has served as editor for the Journal of Animal Science and currently serves as review and symposia editor for the Journal. He is chair of the Coordinating Committee for the National Animal Nutrition Program. He has been a member of the Swine Nutrition research committee, NCCC-042 for the past 23 years. He currently holds the Kermit Wagner Distinguished Professorship in Animal Science at the University of Nebraska.

American Feed Industry Association Award in Ruminant Nutrition Research

Sponsored by: American Feed Industry Association

Frank R. Dunshea, University of Melbourne

Dr Frank R. Dunshea is a Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor and Chair of Agriculture at the University of Melbourne in Australia and Professor of Animal Growth and Development at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. He has a BAgSci and Ph.D. from La Trobe University and post-doctoral training at Cornell University. Dr Dunshea worked as a government scientist for 17 years before joining the University of Melbourne in 2006. He has published over 950 journal, conference, book, or technical articles in the agricultural, biomedical, and food sciences. Since joining the University, Dr Dunshea’s primary research focus has been on the effect of climate change on livestock production and identifying nutritional interventions to mitigate against heat stress. He has trained over 40 students and has been PI on over $20 million in research funding. Overall, his nutritional research has led to exciting findings, many of which have been adopted by the livestock industries.

Animal Growth and Development Award

Sponsored by: DSM Nutritional Products, Inc.

Nicholas K. Gabler, Iowa State University

Dr. Nicholas K. Gabler is a Professor in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University. His research and teaching has been focused on fundamental swine nutrition, metabolism and physiology. He obtained his Bachelor’s and Ph.D. degrees from La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. Upon completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Gabler conducted postdoctoral research at Purdue University and then Iowa State University. In 2008 he joined the Animal Science Department at ISU as an assistant professor. Dr. Gabler has an active and diverse research program that focuses on understanding and improving swine feed efficiency, growth and intestinal physiology and health of swine. He is also actively researching the effects pathogens and nutrition on pig performance, intestinal function and integrity, metabolism, tissue lean and bone accretion and health.

Animal Industry Innovation Award

Sponsored by: Zoetis

Ky G. Pohler, Texas A&M University

Dr. Ky Pohler is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence in the Department of Animal Science. He received a B.S. degree from Texas A&M University, and MSc and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Missouri. Dr. Pohler’s research focuses on physiological and molecular mechanisms that control reproductive efficiency in cattle. His research findings have resulted in invitations to speak at numerous local, national and international events. Dr. Pohler has authored/coauthored 95 refereed journal articles, 4 book chapters, 37 conference proceedings, 15 popular press articles and 115 conference abstracts. His work has also led to 13 patent applications, 4 license agreements, and 1 product to market. To date he has mentored 2 Ph.D. Student, 9 M.S. students, 9 international students/interns, and 3 visiting scholars. From federal, state, and industry sources Dr. Pohler has also secured more than $7 million in grant/gift support.

Animal Management Award

Sponsored by: United Animal Health

Derek W. Bailey, New Mexico State University

Dr. Derek W. Bailey is a Professor of Range Science at New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Las Cruces, New Mexico USA. After growing up on a cattle ranch in southern Colorado, Derek received his Ph.D. in Range Science and his M.S. and B.S. degrees in Animal Science at Colorado State University. Before to coming to NMSU, Derek worked as a researcher for Montana State University and USDA-ARS in Oklahoma. He also was a range management consultant in Nevada and an extension agent in Arizona. His research interests include precision livestock management, rangeland cattle and sheep production, grazing management and animal welfare. In addition, he teaches courses in rangeland management, research methods and statistical analyses, livestock handling and vegetation monitoring.

Animal Physiology and Endocrinology Award

Sponsored by: James W. Lauderdale Appreciation Club

David J. Miller, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign

A native of Minnesota, Dr. David Miller received his B.S. and M.S degrees from the University of Minnesota and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology. After completing postdoctoral research at the University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, he was appointed as Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois in the Department of Animal Sciences and is currently Professor in Animal Sciences and the Institute for Genomic Biology. The major thrust of Dr. Miller’s early research was to develop a molecular understanding of how sperm moved through the zona pellucida and fertilized oocytes. He identified gamete receptors and the signals they activated. In the last 10 years, he has used novel approaches to identify receptors that retain sperm in the oviduct, lengthen sperm lifespan and modulate the development of sperm fertilizing ability. His research has received competitive support from USDA, NIH, and NSF.

ASAS Fellow: Administration Category

L. Wayne Greene, Auburn University

Dr. L. Wayne Greene has been the Department Head in the Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University for 17 years. Dr. Greene has continually provided leadership to ASAS, his professional peers and the beef cattle industry throughout his career as an educator, researcher and administrator.  Dr. Greene has been an active member in the ASAS since 1977. During his active research years (1977-2005), he extensively published timely refereed journal articles and abstracts in the Journal of Animal Science focused around his research area of beef cattle production and mineral nutrition. He presented his first abstract of research at the Southern Section ASAS meeting in 1979 and his first refereed journal article was published in JAS in 1983.  He serves on numerous Board of Directors in support of Alabama animal agriculture, is an advisor to animal related commodity groups and is a spokesperson for the Department of Animal Science and animal agriculture across the state, region and nation. He has served in every leadership role of the Plains Nutrition Council, ARPAS, and Southern Section–ASAS.  Dr. Greene served on the Board of Directors of the Professional Animal Auditors Certification Organization. He has taught approximately 9,000 undergraduates in his animal science related courses. He has chaired 15 Ph.D. and 23 Masters graduate student committees and served on another 60 graduate student committees. Dr. Greene and his faculty in the Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University have increased undergraduate student numbers 79% under his leadership, increased sponsored research funding exponentially during his tenure as department administrator, and the Animal Science and Forages Extension program is recognized as the strongest extension program at Auburn University. Dr. Greene’s administration, teaching, research and Extension/outreach programs have positively impacted animal agriculture and our professional organizations throughout his 44 year membership in ASAS. 

Sponsored by: American Society of Animal Science

Debora L. Hamernik, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Deb Hamernik earned a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), MS in Animal Science from Washington State University, and Ph.D. in Reproductive Endocrinology from Colorado State University with postdoctoral studies in Molecular Endocrinology at Case Western Reserve University. Deb’s administrative career began as Program Director with the USDA CSREES (1997-2009) including two years as Scientific Review Officer at NIH. She was Associate Dean, Agricultural Research and Associate Director, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station from 2009-2018 and Associate Vice Chancellor for Research at UNL from 2018-2020 where she supported faculty research development and high-performing research teams. In July 2020, Deb joined the USDA NIFA as Director, Division of Animal Systems and in November 2020 was appointed Deputy Director, Institute of Food Production and Sustainability where she currently provides leadership for about half of NIFA’s competitive and capacity programs.

Sponsored by: American Society of Animal Science

M. Todd See, North Carolina State University

Dr. M. Todd See received his B.S. from Michigan State University and his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. He is Professor and Head of the Department of Animal Science at NCSU, a position which he has held since 2010. This includes supervision of 88 faculty and staff as well as over 1000 students pursing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Todd is recognized nationally for his innovative approaches in management of on-campus farms; undergraduate admission programs for under-represented groups; support for distance education degree programs; and participation in the long-range planning efforts of the U.S. pork industry. He has served on 15 reviews for national programs and over 50 task forces dealing with issues affecting the livestock industry. Dr. See has received numerous awards during his career for his service to animal agriculture from organizations such as ASAS, National Pork Producers Council, National Pork Board, National Swine Improvement Federation and USDA.

ASAS Fellow: Research Category

Sponsored by: American Society of Animal Science

Jack C. Dekkers, Iowa State University

Dr. Jack C. Dekkers has established and conducted highly productive research programs in several key areas in animal breeding and genetics and has thereby made important contributions to the science of animal breeding and genetics and its application. His initial work was on dairy cattle breeding, including design and economic evaluation of breeding programs, development of breeding objectives and economic indexes, genetic analysis and evaluation of functional traits, and development of random regression models. Subsequent contributions have focused on genetics of feed efficiency of pigs and disease resistance in pigs and poultry. Throughout his career, he has also made important contributions to the integration of molecular genetics and genomics in animal breeding, including QTL detection, marker-assisted selection, and genomic selection. His contributions are internationally recognised and characterized by fundamental strength and innovation but with a keen eye for application.

Sponsored by: American Society of Animal Science

R. Dean Boyd, Animal Nutrition Research

During his 40-year career, R. Dean Boyd earned a global reputation for innovation in animal nutrition research.  His career began on the faculty at Cornell U. in Animal Science and Division of Nutrition.  It concluded with the Hanor-Triumph Foods group. He coauthored 307 scientific publications as peer-review, books, book chapters and translational papers. His publications appear in 21 journals with collaborators from 32 institutions. His pioneering work at Cornell on the regulation of nutrient use is considered landmark.  His most consequential discovery was that deficit essential fatty acid intake by lactating sows causes seasonal infertility, but is resolved by adequacy of both.  He delivered the prestigious Dunkin Lecture at APSA (2019), the Howard Dunne Lecture at AASV (2012) and he served on the Science advisory team for the Gates Foundation; the latter published in Lancet Global Health to extend Anim. Sci. knowledge to maternal-infant health solutions in developing countries.  His ability to translate basic science to practice has brought transformational change to his discipline and is his legacy.  He and his wife Marsha have 4 children, 17 grandchildren.

Sponsored by: American Society of Animal Science

Ronald M. Lewis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Known internationally for his research and teaching, Dr. Lewis earned a B.S. degree in Animal Science at the University of California-Davis, a M.S. in Animal Breeding at Texas A&M, and Ph.D. in Animal Science from Virginia Tech. His career as a geneticist has included positions at the Western Australia Department of Agriculture, Scottish Agriculture College in Edinburgh, Virginia Tech, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

Dr. Lewis has published 93 peer-reviewed journal articles and secured over $16.5 million in grant funding. His pioneering leadership led to deployment of genomic selection in the US sheep industry and development of online education that reached students from over 30 US and 5 international academic institutions His mentees have extended his legacy via success in their own careers in academia and industry. Dr. Lewis’s tremendous contributions to Animal Science have been recognized through several awards including the 2021 ASAS Distinguished Teacher Award.

Sponsored by: American Society of Animal Science

Chris R. Calkins, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Dr. Chris Calkins is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Nebraska. He has several hundred peer-reviewed publications, holds 6 patents, and has received millions in research support. He co-led the beef muscle profiling project, which developed the flat iron steak and other new meat cuts, with an estimated annual impact of $1.5 billion. For 40 years Dr. Calkins taught undergraduate students and he has been the major professor to 58 graduate students. He has earned the ASAS Meat Research and the Industry Service Awards, the Distinguished Meat Research and Fellow Awards from the American Meat Science Association (and served as AMSA President), and has been named Educator of the Year by the North American Meat Processors. In 2019 he was inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame. He is a NACTA Teacher Fellow. Dr. Calkins is a world-renown speaker and has given dozens of invited presentations around the world.

ASAS Fellow: Teaching Category

Sponsored by: American Society of Animal Science

Steven M. Lonergan, Iowa State University

Steven Lonergan is a Morrill Professor at Iowa State University. Through his innovation and leadership, students can access experiential learning, develop international perspectives, and expand their awareness of meaningful career opportunities in animal science disciplines. Dr. Lonergan has a reputation for stimulating interest and challenging students to think critically. He has created an environment that stimulates curriculum development to serve students by providing excellent classroom and practical learning opportunities. He promotes curiosity in science and fosters life-long learning. His achievements as an educator and researcher highlight the “Science with Practice” ethic that elevates learning and deepens understanding by students, professionals, and stakeholders.

ASAS Young Scholar Award

Colin Tobin, North Dakota State University

Dr. Colin Tobin is the Animal Scientist at the North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center. Colin manages a diverse and broad animal research program at CREC, working directly with producers to address the needs of animal agriculture in the Northern Great Plains as well as testing concepts for tomorrow's producers.

 

 

 

Emily A. Melchior, New Mexico State University

Emily A. Melchior received her B.S. from Berry College and M.S. from the University of Tennessee. In 2018, Emily began her Ph.D. program at New Mexico State University under Drs. Shanna Ivey and Eric Scholljegerdes. During her Ph.D. program, Emily investigated the use of a modified-live viral or killed viral vaccination regimen on beef cow herd longevity, calf growth and development, and immune performance. Her research was conducted at the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center at NMSU. Emily has secured >$170k in funding, including a USDA Predoctoral Fellowship, served as ASAS National Graduate Student Director, and as a teaching assistant in 10 animal science courses. Emily received first place in the M.S. competition at the ASAS Southern Section meeting in 2018 and received the W.D. Farr Scholarship from the National Cattlemen’s Foundation in 2020. Emily has authored or co-authored 10 research publications and proceedings, and 12 abstracts presented at scientific meetings.

Erin E. Bryan, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign

Erin Bryan received her B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Illinois and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois with Dr. Anna Dilger. Her dissertation focuses on fetal programming, specifically the effect of maternal inflammation during gestation on offspring muscle development and immune function. Using gestating sows, she has implemented both a disease model and a novel non-pathogenic model, which she largely designed. Erin has authored five peer-reviewed works thus far and presented her research findings at several conferences. She is also very active in teaching both entry and graduate level courses, serving as a teaching assistant and guest lecturer all but one semester of her graduate career. Upon graduation, Erin hopes to work in the animal health sector finding ways to improve welfare and efficiency of livestock.

Kwangwook Kim, University of California-Davis

Dr. Kwangwook Kim recently completed his Ph.D. dissertation at the University of California Davis, with Dr. Yanhong Liu and is continuing his research as a postdoctoral scholar. His dissertation focused on the detrimental impacts of trace amounts of antibiotic and oligosaccharide-based polymer as a potential alternative to antibiotics on weaned pigs. Using an established enterotoxigenic E. coli challenge model, he concurrently examined the effects of trace amounts of antibiotic or oligosaccharide-based polymer on growth performance, diarrhea condition, local and systemic immunity, intestinal integrity, and changes in metabolic pathways and intestinal microflora of weaned pigs. Dr. Kim has published 8 peer-reviewed articles and 16 abstracts as the first author. Dr. Kim was awarded the 2022 ASAS Midwest Stahly/Peo Outstanding Graduate Student in Swine Nutrition, 2020 ASAS Midwest Animal Science Young Scholar, and won the first prize on the 2019 ASAS Midwest Graduate Oral Competition.

Madison R. Wensley, Kansas State University

Madie Wensley is a doctoral student in Swine Nutrition at Kansas State University. A native of Michigan, Madie completed her B.S. degree at Michigan State University and M.S. degree at K-State. During her M.S. Degree, she published 4 manuscripts concerning phytase, bone mineralization, and an amino acid biomass product for pigs. Madie’s doctoral research focuses on the period of nutrient disruption at the time of weaning in pigs with an overall goal of reducing mortality and improving the feed intake and subsequent growth of weanling pigs. Her research in this area has involved over 17,000 pigs in 10 experiments with results finding that strategic nutritional intervention strategies around the time of weaning can reduce nursery pig mortality. Madie also has coordinated the research relationship between K-State and Iowa Select Farms and JBS Live Pork to summarize research conducted in their facilities. She also has mentored multiple undergraduate students through research projects as undergraduate research coordinator.

Matias Bermann, University of Georgia

Matias Bermann is an unusually gifted recent Ph.D. graduate. He obtained a B.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Buenos Aires. He then enrolled in the Ph.D. program at the University of Georgia and fulfilled all requirements for the degree in 2.5 years. His knowledge of mathematics and statistics is extraordinary. While a graduate student, he gave many guest classes on complicated topics at a faculty level. He was the first author of 5 peer-reviewed papers and helped his fellow students and other scientists to finish 5 other papers. He currently has 2 manuscripts under review and 9 close to submission. His academic contributions have already been applied by the industry, including American Angus Association and Zoetis, and by numerous scientists using the BLUPF90 software suite. Lately, he developed a theory and wrote a computer program to rapidly calculate an accurate approximation of reliabilities of genomic breeding values for up to 4 million genotyped animals.

Miriam S. Martin, Kansas State University

Dr. Miriam S. Martin grew up on a ranch in Meadville, Missouri. Miriam completed he undergraduate degree in animal science at the University of Missouri where she discovered her passion for animal welfare. She earned a Masters in livestock behavior and welfare in Temple Grandin’s group at Colorado State University before enrolling in a Doctoral program at Kansas State University in August 2018. Miriam is the first recipient of the FFAR Fellowship in the history of Kansas State University. Dr. Martin’s doctoral studies focused on investigating pain and analgesic strategies in food animals. These studies resulted in the publication of 8 first author papers and 5 co-author publications. Miriam served as the Midwest ASAS Graduate Director and the CVM GSA Vice President. She is also the recipient of a 2022 ASAS Midwest Young Scholars Award. Dr. Martin successfully defended her Ph.D. on October 2021 and she currently serves as the Director of Animal Health and Welfare for the North American Meat Institute. 

Ronald J. Trotta, University of Kentucky

Ronald Trotta is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at the University of Kentucky. He previously completed his B.S. in Animal Science at the University of Kentucky in 2017 and worked as an undergraduate research assistant with Dr. James Klotz at the USDA-ARS Forage & Animal Production Research Unit. At North Dakota State University, he studied digestive enzymes and transporters involved in intestinal carbohydrate assimilation and completed his M.S. under Dr. Kendall Swanson in 2019. Ronald is now working under Dr. David Harmon at UK and his Ph.D. research is focused on developing strategies to improve starch utilization in ruminants. Ronald has been co-investigator on 6 research grants and has published 15 peer-reviewed journal articles, 5 conference proceedings, and 10 abstracts.

Samantha M. Howe, University of Arkansas

Samantha M. Howe grew up as the fourth generation of commercial Black Angus beef cattle ranch in south-central Oklahoma. She graduated summa cum laude with her honors college degree and Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with an emphasis in Animal Biotechnology and a minor in microbiology from Oklahoma State University in 2019. She began pursuing her Ph.D. in Animal Science at the University of Arkansas in 2019 under the supervision of Dr. Jiangchao Zhao. Her research focuses on developing potential probiotics to treat or prevent Bovine Respiratory Disease. While at the University of Arkansas, she has received the Doctoral Academy Fellowship, served as President and Vice-President of the Animal Science Graduate Student Association, and was recently named the Department of Animal Science’s Outstanding Ph.D. student.

Sarah C. Klopatek, University of California - Davis

Dr. Sarah C. Klopatek is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of California, Davis. Her current research focus is assessing the change in beef cattle’s water footprint from 1991 to 2019. Dr. Klopatek’s dissertation focused on the environmental, nutritional, and economic trade-offs of grass-fed and grain-fed beef production (5 manuscripts published/pending). Her study was one of the largest and most comprehensive sustainability assessments comparing grass-fed and grain-fed beef systems. In addition, Dr. Klopatek has completed numerous other livestock research projects including: life cycle assessments, a national beef sustainability and Beef Quality Assurance survey, meat quality and safety assessments, heat-stress studies, feed efficiency and methane mitigation trials. She developed an upper division beef systems course and advised the Young Cattlemen’s Association. Dr. Klopatek was the director of the U.C. Davis media training program “Lights, Camera, Research” and has recently been on numerous radio and podcast interviews to discuss beef systems and sustainability.

Saulo Menegatti Zoca, South Dakota State University

Dr. Saulo Menegatti Zoca received his DVM from São Paulo State University, Brazil in 2014 where he was involved with research and extension on beef and dairy cattle, and Murrah buffalo. Zoca received his M.S. in 2018 from University of Idaho in Animal Science focused on evaluating different insemination doses and bull fertility. Zoca received his Ph.D. from South Dakota State University in December 2021 focused on understanding male fertility and factors that impact fertility differences between bulls. He has published 8 peer-review manuscripts, 34 abstracts, 11 non-refereed scientific publications and proceedings, and 5 extension and popular press articles.

Zully E. Contreras-Correa, Mississippi State University

Dr. Zully E. Contreras-Correa received her B.S. in Biology and her M.S. degree in Animal Science from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. She received her Ph.D. in Animal and Dairy Sciences from Mississippi State University where her research examined melatonin supplementation to beef cattle during compromised pregnancies. She has been heavily involved in teaching and mentoring future animal scientists. She has published 6 peer-reviewed journal articles and 22 scientific abstracts. Her dedication has been recognized by various awards including the MAFES Graduate Research Fellowship, Burroughs Welcome Fund Travel Award from the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Ph.D. scholarship from the Gamma Sigma Delta, CALS Hall of Fame Scholar, and CALS Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year. She is currently a Postdoctoral Associate at MSU developing three-dimensional organoid models to study potential therapeutics to negate the impact of elevated ambient temperatures in livestock.

Bouffault International Animal Agriculture Award

Sponsored by: Center for Regulatory Services, Inc.

Luis O. Tedeschi, Texas A&M University

Dr. Luis O. Tedeschi received his bachelor’s degree in Agronomy Engineering from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, in 1991, his master’s degree in Animal and Forage Sciences from the same university in 1996, and his doctorate in Animal Science from Cornell University in 2001. He joined Texas A&M University in 2005. Dr. Tedeschi teaches ruminant nutrition, precision diet formulation, summer study abroad comparative ruminant production, and a modeling course for undergrad and grad students. His internationally recognized teaching and research programs focus on the role of higher education in providing students with opportunities for high-impact learning experiences. He prepares students to understand the role of globalization and internationalization on our modern production systems and how to solve contemporary societal issues. He developed a student exchange program between the United States and Brazil under the auspices of the US Department of Education. He has authored 685 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, books, and book chapters and presented at 95 international conferences.

Distinguished Teacher Award

Sponsored by: Purina Animal Nutrition, LLC & Land O' Lakes, Inc

Jason M. Scheffler, University of Florida

Dr. Jason M. Scheffler is an assistant professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Florida. He earned a B.S. in Biotechnology from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and then an M.S. from Michigan State University, and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, both in meat science. After a post-doc at Purdue University, Scheffler worked as a research assistant professor at Virginia Tech before joining the faculty at UF in 2014. He teaches Introduction to Animal Science and is co-instructor for HACCP Systems, Senior Seminar, and Meat Technology. His current extension responsibilities include coordinating HACCP and Preventive Controls for Animal Food training programs. Internationally, he has worked in Ethiopia to improve hygiene and food safety of the meat supply chain. His research program is focused on assisting stakeholders by providing validation data to support science-based decisions in the design and implementation of food safety plans.

Early Career Achievement Award

Sponsored by: ASAS Foundation

Philipe Moriel, University of Florida

Dr. Philipe Moriel is as an Associate Professor at the Range Cattle Research & Education Center from University of Florida (UF). Dr. Moriel’s research and extension programs explore fetal and metabolic programming to develop nutritional strategies to optimize cow-calf production efficiency of Bos indicus-influenced cattle in subtropical/tropical environments. His research program has published 87 peer-reviewed articles, and secured over $7 million as PI and Co-PI from federal agencies, industries, and commodity groups. Dr. Moriel is dedicated to his professional societies, playing extensive roles on committees and chairing activities at national and southern meetings of ASAS. Dr. Moriel also serves as Associate Editor for Translational Animal Science journal. His research/extension programs were recently recognized by multiple awards at the university, regional and national levels in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Ranjith Ramananthan, Oklahoma State University

Dr. Ranjith Ramanathan is an Associate Professor of Meat Science holding Leo and Kathy Noltensmeyer Endowed Professorship in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Ramanathan received his Ph.D. and M.S. degree in Animal Science from the University of Connecticut in 2012. He earned his Bachelor of Veterinary and Animal Science in 2004 from Kerala Agricultural University, India. Since 2012, he has been a faculty in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Ramanathan’s research focuses on fundamental and applied factors influencing fresh meat quality, specifically postmortem biochemistry and meat color. In addition, he teaches five different undergraduate and graduate-level food science courses. Dr. Ramanathan has secured a total of $5.4 million in research grants. In addition, he has published 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and 145-refereed abstracts. Dr. Ramanathan has served on 69 graduate student committees as a chair or committee member. He has been recognized by the USDA-Association of Public Land Grant University Young Educator Award, American Meat Science Association Achievement Award, American Chemical Society Young Scientist Award, Southern Section ASAS Early Career Awards, and NACTA for his teaching and research excellence.

Equine Science Award

Sponsored by: Zinpro

Lori K. Warren, University of Florida

Dr. Lori K. Warren is an associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Florida. She completed her B.S. at the University of Wyoming and M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky. Her research program focuses on equine nutrition with emphasis on 1) evaluating feedstuffs and feed additives for their nutritional value and role in improving the health and performance of horses, and 2) nutritional strategies to reduce the environmental impact of horse operations. She has garnered $3.9 million in funding, trained 32 graduate students, and presented more than 185 invited talks. She has published 46 refereed manuscripts, 5 books/chapters, and over 250 abstracts, articles and technical papers. Dr. Warren is a former Equine Science Society president (2015-17) and was program chair of the 2015 biennial symposium. In 2007-08 she served on a National Research Council committee tasked with evaluating the safety of dietary supplements for horses, dogs and cats.

Extension Award

Sponsored by: Zoetis

Leslie H. Anderson, University of Kentucky

Dr. Les Anderson was raised on a livestock and crop farm in Missouri, graduated with honors from the University of Missouri, received his M.S. at Iowa State University and doctorate in Reproductive Physiology from The Ohio State University. He joined the Animal and Food Sciences Department at the University of Kentucky in 1997 and holds the title of Extension Professor. Dr. Anderson has an extensive county-based educational program averaging more than 1 farm visit per day since 1997. Dr. Anderson also serves as chair of the UK Beef IRM committee. He provides leadership for several intensive educational programs and has secured over $6M in Extension funding. He was a member of the national Reproduction Action Team; was an original Co-Leader of the Beef Cattle Clearinghouse; and past-chair of the Southern Region ASAS Extension group. Dr. Anderson was the first Extension educator to be awarded the Southern Region ASAS Young Scientist Award for Education and in 2014 he was awarded the Southern Region ASAS Extension Award. Dr. Anderson and wife Cindy have 5 children and two grandkids.

Gary L. Cromwell Award for Minerals Nutrition

Sponsored by: Gary L. Cromwell Appreciation Club

Olayiwola Adeola, Purdue University

Dr. Olayiwola (Layi) Adeola received the Bachelor of Agriculture degree in Animal Science with first class honors from the University of Ife, Nigeria in 1982. He earned M.S. and Ph.D. degrees with distinction from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada in 1986 and 1989, respectively. He is currently a professor at Purdue University and has authored more than 290 refereed papers and 285 other publications. He served as a Section Editor, Journal of Animal Science (2001-2006; 2016-2019); Associate Editor, Canadian Journal of Animal Sciences (2009-2012), on the NRC Committee that wrote the 11th Edition of the Nutrient Requirements of Swine, and is currently a Section Editor for Poultry Science. He received the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) Poultry Nutrition Research Award, 2005; the Maple Leaf Duck Research Award, 2007; the AFIA Nonruminant Nutrition Research Award, 2007; the Evonik Poultry Research Award, 2010; and the National Broiler Chicken Council Research Award, 2012.

H. Allen Tucker Appreciation Club Graduate Student Travel Scholarship

Sponsored by: H. Allen Tucker Appreciation Club

Nicole M. Tillquist, University of Connecticut

Nicole M. Tillquist is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Connecticut. Nicole earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal Sciences from Colorado State University in 2018 and 2020, respectively. Nicole is a research assistant in Dr. Kristen Govoni’s lab, where her research is focused on the effects of poor maternal nutrition on offspring growth and development using a sheep model. Nicole placed first at the 2021 Northeast ASAS meeting and second at the 2021 National ASAS meeting in the graduate student Ph.D. poster competitions. Nicole has published two papers as a first author and co-author in peer-reviewed journals and eleven abstracts at national conferences.  

Sponsored by: H. Allen Tucker Appreciation Club

Mia Y. Kawaida, University of Connecticut

Mia Y. Kawaida is a second-year doctoral student from Japan. Her passion for animals led her to pursue higher education and a career in animal science. She holds a B.S. degree in animal science with equine management emphasis from Murray State University. After graduating, she completed a year-long apprenticeship at the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm. In 2019, she started her Ph.D. in the Animal Science Department at the University of Connecticut under Dr. Sarah A. Reed. Her dissertation research focuses on the effects of antioxidant supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress in polo ponies. She is also investigating the effect of poor maternal nutrition during gestation on the growth and development of offspring muscle in sheep. This spring, she received Graduate Student Mentorship Excellence Award.

L. E. Casida Award

Sponsored by: L. E. Casida Award Fund

James E. Kinder, The Ohio State University

Dr. James E. Kinder earned a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Missouri; M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Ph.D. in Animal Science from Washington State University. He was Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the Ohio State University where he taught undergraduate courses and coached Champion Collegiate Livestock Judging Teams. In 1979, he moved to the Department of Animal Science at UNL where he was Beef Reproductive Physiologist and trained 17 Ph.D. and 17 M.S. students. His research focused on endocrine control of reproduction in pubertal and postpartum cattle. Jim returned to OSU as Head, Department of Animal Science (1999-2011) and continues to provide leadership for undergraduate education. Jim is a dedicated and passionate mentor with a life-long commitment to helping students and faculty succeed. Jim’s research accomplishments and philosophy of training graduate students built on and continued the legacy of Dr. L. E. Casida.

Sponsored by: L. E. Casida Award Fund

Peter J. Hansen, University of Florida

Dr. Peter J. Hansen has conducted research regarding the nature of the interaction between the maternal system and developing embryo. Among his accomplishments was development of embryo transfer to improve fertility in heat-stressed cows, elucidation of the role of maternal molecules that regulates embryonic development, and exploitation of heat-resistance genes to develop thermotolerant dairy cattle. Graduate education has been at the center of his research efforts. He has mentored 30 Ph.D. students and 23 Master’s students and sponsored 65 postdocs and visiting scientists. Currently, 7 graduate students are in his laboratory. He has also opened his laboratory to undergraduate students. He has been recognized by the University of Florida with the Doctoral Dissertation Mentoring Award (2003), by SSR with the Trainee Mentoring Award (2010), and by the International Embryo Transfer Society with the inaugural Mentor of the Year Award (2012).

Meats Research Award

Sponsored by: Elanco Animal Health

Susan K. Duckett, Clemson

Dr. Susan K. Duckett earned her B.S. degree from Iowa State University and her M.S. and Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University in Animal Science. Dr. Duckett is currently a Professor and the Ernest L. Corley Jr. Trustees Endowed Chair at Clemson University. She has authored nearly 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and numerous abstracts, presentations and extension reports. Her teaching efforts include undergraduate and graduate courses in animal growth, meat quality and lipid metabolism. Dr. Duckett has developed an internationally recognized program in meat science and animal growth. Her research explores how nutritional management of meat producing animals alters skeletal muscle growth and adipose tissue deposition, long-chain fatty acid composition, meat quality and palatability. She has received almost $5.5 million in extramural funding and given invited lectures in US, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and South Africa.

The Morrison Award

Sponsored by: F. B. Morrison Fund

Robert P. Wettemann, Oklahoma State University

Robert P. Wettemann obtained a B.S. at the University of Connecticut (1966), and a M.S. (1968) and Ph.D. (1972) at Michigan State University. He was appointed assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science at Oklahoma State University in 1972, and is a Regents Professor Emeritus. His research focuses on endocrine mechanisms controlling reproduction of cattle. This research established use of body condition to evaluate nutrition of beef cows and that hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction causes anestrus. Wettemann has been the major advisor for 27 M.S. and 20 Ph.D. students. He taught reproductive physiology and animal growth, and has coauthored more than 650 scientific publications. He received the Physiology and Endocrinology Award, the Animal Management Award, the Casida Award, the Distinguished Service Award by the Southern ASAS, was President of ASAS and ARPAS, and is an ASAS Fellow. He and his wife, Grace, have a son, two daughters, and five grandchildren.

The Rockefeller Prentice Memorial Award in Animal Breeding and Genetics

Sponsored by: ABS Global, Inc.

Gary Rohrer, USDA-ARS

Dr. Gary Rohrer was raised on a small, diversified livestock farm in northern Illinois and was active in 4-H and FFA raising pigs and feeding beef cattle. He was a member of numerous meats and livestock judging teams. He attended Joliet Junior College followed by the University of Illinois (BS in Animal Science). He then went to Texas A&M University where he received a M.S. in Animal Breeding under Dr. Tom Cartwright and a Ph.D. in Genetics under Dr. Jerry Taylor. After graduation, he was hired as a Research Geneticist for USDA-ARS at the US Meat Animal Research Center. His initial assignment was to develop the swine linkage map and then identify genetic markers to enhance selection decisions for economically important traits. He holds an adjunct appointment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and South Dakota State University, has authored 191 peer-reviewed research articles and been an investigator on 16 successful grants. Dr. Rohrer received the USDA-ARS 1998 Northern Plains Area Early Career Scientist award, the National Swine Improvement Federation Charles Stanislaw Distinguished Service Award (2018) and the USDA-ARS 2021 Plains Area Senior Research Scientist award.

Wettemann Graduate Scholar in Physiology Award

Sponsored by: Robert Wettemann Appreciation Club

Katherine M. Halloran, Texas A&M University

Katherine M. Halloran received her B.S. in Animal Science from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in 2015 and joined Dr. Fuller Bazer’s program in the Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University where she received the M.S. in Physiology of Reproduction in 2018 and is a Ph.D. candidate to graduate in 2022. Katherine’s research focuses on understanding signaling mechanisms at the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy with specific interest in polyamines in the pregnant uterus and fetal fluids influencing survival, growth, and development of conceptuses with results published in 9 papers in refereed scientific journals. Katherine has served as a teaching assistant for Reproductive Physiology, Animal Reproduction Management, Sheep and Goat Production, Equine Handling and Safety, and Animal Production Systems. She served as the Secretary for the Texas A&M Animal Science Graduate Student Association from 2020-2021 and is the graduate student representative for Texas A&M’s Interdisciplinary Faculty of Reproductive Biology.

Wilson G. Pond International Travel Award

Sponsored by: Wilson G. Pond Appreciation Club

Ronald J. Trotta, University of Kentucky

Ronald J. Trotta is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at the University of Kentucky. He previously completed his B.S. in Animal Science at the University of Kentucky in 2017 and worked as an undergraduate research assistant with Dr. James Klotz at the USDA-ARS Forage & Animal Production Research Unit. At North Dakota State University, he studied digestive enzymes and transporters involved in intestinal carbohydrate assimilation and completed his M.S. under Dr. Kendall Swanson in 2019. Ronald is now working under Dr. David Harmon at UK and his Ph.D. research is focused on developing strategies to improve starch utilization in ruminants. Ronald has been co-investigator on 6 research grants and has published 15 peer-reviewed journal articles, 5 conference proceedings, and 10 abstracts.

Sponsored by: Wilson G. Pond Appreciation Club

Jessica G. Syring, North Dakota State University

Jessica G. Syring grew up in rural eastern North Dakota where she was homeschooled from kindergarten through 12th grade. Jessica earned her B.S. in 2020 from North Dakota State University. She is currently working on her master’s degree at NDSU under the guidance of Dr. Joel Caton (NDSU) and Dr. Matthew Crouse (USDA-MARC). Jessica’s research focuses on the effects of restricted maternal nutrition and one-carbon metabolite supplementation on fetal metabolism and development in beef cattle.

 

 

Sponsored by: Wilson G. Pond Appreciation Club

Felipe Alves Correa Carvalho da Silva, University of Florida

Felipe Alves Correa Carvalho da Silva received his B.S. in Veterinary Medicine from Sao Paulo State University – Jaboticabal in 2013 and his M.S. degree from North Dakota State University in 2018. He is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Florida working under Dr. Mario Binelli. Felipe’s research focuses on the modulation of uterine function during the peri-estrus period in beef cattle. Felipe has authored and co-authored 6 peer-reviewed papers, 7 abstracts, 1 proceeding, and 11 extension reports. Felipe is a fellow of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) and International Livestock Forum.

Sponsored by: Wilson G. Pond Appreciation Club

Cecilia Constantino Rocha, University of Florida

Cecilia Rocha received her B.S. in Veterinary Medicine from the Santa Catarina Federal University- Brazil in 2017 and her M.S. degree from the University of Sao Paulo-Brazil in 2019. She is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Florida and is conducting her research at the Department of Animal Sciences under the direction of Dr. Mario Binelli. Her research focuses on understanding the uterine environment of beef cows in the first 3 weeks of gestation. During her time in graduate school, Cecilia has authored or coauthored 16 peer-reviewed articles and 34 conference abstracts.