ASAS Foundation Impact - 2026

2026 

 ASAS Foundation
Inspire ● Ignite ● Invest
Enriching Animal Science

  Click here to make your gift and become an ASAS Foundation Partner Today!

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Your Generosity = Your Impact = Your Legacy

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IMPACT:
GRADUATE STUDENT TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS

  • Madeline McKnight

    "Receiving the Joseph P. Fontenot Travel Scholarship Award is a profound honor that has supported my professional growth as an animal scientist and strengthened my community within the American Society of Animal Science. This award allowed me to attend the 2026 Southern Section conference, where I was able to learn from fellow researchers, share our research team’s current work, and foster collaborative partnerships. I am deeply grateful to the ASAS Foundation, whose generosity makes opportunities like this possible for graduate students." Madeline McKnight | Ph.D. Student | Mississippi State University | Anticipated Graduation Year: 2028

  • Yesid Garavito-Duarte

    "I am honored to receive the Dr. Gary Allee Graduate Student Travel Scholarship Award, which provides a valuable opportunity to present my research and connect with fellow scientists at the ASAS meeting. This support plays an important role in my professional growth and training as a Ph.D. student. I am deeply thankful to the ASAS Foundation for their commitment to supporting graduate student development in animal science." Yesid Garavito-Duarte | Ph.D. Candidate, Animal Science | North Carolina State University | 2026

  • Vishnudas Veetil

    "Receiving the 2026 Joseph P. Fontenot Travel Scholarship is a profound honor and a meaningful reflection of the guidance I have received from my advisor, Dr. Karun Kaniyamattam, and the collective efforts of our team at Texas A&M University. This scholarship will enable me to attend the ASAS Annual Meeting in Wisconsin, where I look forward to presenting our research and engaging with the broader animal science community. I am sincerely grateful to the ASAS Foundation and the Joseph P. Fontenot Appreciation Club for their generous support of emerging scientists. It is a privilege to carry forward the legacy of Dr. Fontenot and contribute to a community that inspires, ignites, and invests in scientific excellence." Vishnudas Kulangara Veettil | Ph.D. Candidate, Animal Science | Texas A&M University | Anticipated Graduation Year: 2026

  • Alexa Gormley

    "I am grateful to receive the Swine Nutrition Heritage Fund Travel Scholarship Award, which reflects the commitment of ASAS to supporting graduate student development. This award enabled me to attend the ASAS Midwest Section Meeting, share my research, and engage with fellow researchers, industry professionals, and academic leaders. These experiences are invaluable for professional growth and for advancing collaborative science in swine nutrition and I would like to thank the ASAS Foundation for their support!" Alexa Gormley | Ph.D. Candidate, Animal Science | North Carolina State University | 2026

  • Luana Alvares

    "Receiving the 2026 ASAS Foundation Legacy Award – Travel Scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me as a graduate student working in animal breeding and genetics. This support makes it possible for me to attend the ASAS Annual Meeting, share my research, and engage with scientists and industry leaders who are advancing animal sciences. Opportunities like this play an important role in helping early-career researchers grow and contribute to the future of animal science." Luana Alvares | Ph.D. Student, Animal Sciences | Colorado State University | Anticipated Graduation: Fall 2028

  • Kathlyn Hauxwell

    "Receiving the Wilson Pond International Travel Scholarship is an incredible honor and provides the opportunity to present my research on an international stage. This support allows me to share findings that aim to improve reproductive success and efficiency in the beef industry while engaging with a global network of scientists. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my work and institution abroad." Kathlyn Hauxwell | Ph.D. Candidate | North Dakota State University

  • Santhi Priya

    "It is a privilege to receive the H. Allen Tucker Travel Scholarship Award, and I am truly grateful for it. It gives me confidence to continue my research with focus and purpose. I sincerely thank the ASAS Foundation for providing opportunities like this and the chance to share my work and learn from others in my field." Santhi Priya Voggu | PhD Candidate | Animal Science | University of Connecticut

Foundation initiatives which provide graduate student travel scholarships include:

 

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IMPACT:
ANIMAL AGRICULTURE INTERNS in Washington, DC

  • Paisli Ivey - 2025

    "Being selected as the 2025 ASAS Foundation's Animal Agriculture D.C. Policy Intern is a tremendous honor as I have always been fascinated by the intersection of agriculture and policy. Being in our nation's capital, advocating for agriculture, and observing the legislative process firsthand will be an invaluable experience to me. I am eager to further contribute to agriculture and grow through this incredible opportunity." Paisli Ivey | Ph.D. student | University of Georgia, beginning fall, 2025

  • Madison "Madi" Barbee - 2026

    "As an aspiring animal health sales professional with a lifelong passion for animal agriculture, I’m honored to serve as the Animal Agriculture Policy Intern. This experience will allow me to grow both personally and professionally within the industry. My background with livestock and my involvement in the Texas A&M Animal Science Department have strengthened my appreciation for the people and science that drive animal agriculture. I’m excited to deepen my understanding of policy and continue building relationships with industry professionals as I work toward a career in animal agriculture." Madison Barbee | Animal Science | Texas A&M University | Anticipated Graduation May 2026

Foundation initiatives that support animal agriculture interns in Washington, DC include:

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IMPACT:
AWARDS for UNDERGRADUATE & GRADUATE STUDENTS and YOUNG ANIMAL SCIENTISTS

  • Xiaoqiu "Churchill" Wang

    "I am truly grateful to receive the 2026 Early Career Achievement Award from the American Society of Animal Science Foundation. This honor represents not only my work, but the dedication of outstanding students, postdocs, and collaborators who have contributed to our shared mission of improving reproductive efficiency and understanding uterine biology. It inspires me to continue investing in mentorship and to create opportunities for trainees to grow as future leaders in animal science." Xiaoqiu "Churchill" Wang | Associate Professor | Department of Animal Science | North Carolina State University
    *Supported by ASAS Foundation's Fellows Fund

  • Hannah Miller

    "I am sincerely grateful to receive the Outstanding Graduate Student in Swine Nutrition Award. It is a great honor to have my graduate work recognized. This achievement would not have been possible without the mentorship, guidance, and support I received throughout my graduate career." Hannah Miller, Ph.D. | Monogastric Nutrition and Physiology | Christensen Farms
    * Supported by ASAS Foundation's Tim S. Stahly and Ernest R. Peo, Jr. Memorial and Tribute Award Fund.

  • Lucas Melo

    "Receiving the Robert Wettemann Graduate Scholar in Physiology Award is a great honor and meaningful recognition of my work in bovine reproductive physiology. This award supports our efforts to develop practical strategies to improve fertility and productivity in beef cattle and strengthens my commitment to applied research. I am grateful to the ASAS Foundation and its donors for their continued support of graduate students and research in animal science." Lucas Melo | PhD Candidate | Department of Animal and Dairy Science | University of Georgia
    *Supported by the Robert Wettemann Appreciation Club

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Gretchen Hill Appreciation Club 

Congratulations to all participants and the 12 winners of the 2025 Midwest competitions! The Gretchen Hill Appreciation Club recognizes and celebrates excellence through twelve awards to the top three students in each category!

  • Samantha Crook

    University of Missouri-Columbia | 1st Place, Undergrad Oral Competition

  • Charlotte Ludorf

    Michigan State University | 1st Place, Undergrad Poster Competition

  • Sierra Collier

    Kansas State University | 1st Place, Grad Student Oral Competition - MS

  • Ty Kim

    Kansas State University | 1st Place, Grad Student Oral Competition - PhD

Foundation Initiatives to recognize, celebrate and award students' and early-career animal scientists' accomplishments:

  Click here to make your gift and
become an ASAS Foundation Partner Today!

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IMPACT:
AWARDS for PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS

  • Frank Dunshea

    "I am truly honoured to receive the Gary Cromwell Mineral Nutrition Award as it recognises research conducted to advance our understanding of mineral nutrition and its practical application in animal production. I am particularly grateful to be associated with an award named after Gary Cromwell, whose scientific leadership and impact on the field have been profoundly influential. The recognition reflects not only my own contributions, but also the collective efforts of many outstanding students, colleagues, and industry partners, particularly in advancing our understanding of how dietary minerals can help mitigate heat and oxidative stress." Frank R. Dunshea, PhD, FAAAS, FAPSA, FNSA, FIUNS, Cert. Anim. Sci. | Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor and Chair of Agriculture | School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences | Faculty of Science | The University of Melbourne

  • Patrícia Massae Oba

    "Receiving the Corbin Award in Companion Animal Biology is a profound honor that reflects a career shaped by research, teaching, and collaboration in companion animal nutrition and the support of mentors, colleagues, students, and my family. Guided by the principle of Ganbari, to persevere and give one’s best, I have been inspired to approach every challenge with dedication and focus. This recognition affirms that I am on the right path and motivates me to continue bridging science and practice while empowering pets and the people who care for them through education and practical solutions that enhance their health and well-being." Patrícia Massae Oba, Ph.D. | Clinical Assistant Professor | Department of Animal Sciences | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  • Geoffrey Dahl

    "I’m humbled to receive the Bouffault International Agriculture Award. I am being recognized for the work of many others to improve the access of vulnerable groups - including pregnant women and young children - to nutrient rich animal source foods. The impact of the work of my collaborators in many low- and middle-income countries will be realized in the years ahead by the gains made by those countries in the capacity to improve the productivity of their livestock systems." Geoffrey E. Dahl, Ph.D. | Harriet B. Weeks Professor | Department of Animal Sciences | University of Florida

  • TBA

    Invited review paper funded through the Michael Galyean Appreciation Club

  • Michael Tokach

    "I am truly humbled to receive the F.B. Morrison Award. The award recognizes outstanding researchers that have had a direct impact on livestock production and is often viewed as the greatest award that can be received by a researcher in ASAS. The list of previous winners is an amazing compilation of people, whose work I read about in graduate school and followed throughout my career. To be included in their midst is an amazing honor." Mike Tokach, Ph.D. | Professor | Department of Animal Sciences and Industry | Kansas State University

  • George Perry

    "It is truly an honor to be able to give the Randel Lecture. To be associated with the legacy he established in impacting the industry and in training graduate students is truly an honor. I have known Dr. Randel and the work he has done since I was an undergraduate at Texas A&M. His research has had a tremendous impact on the beef industry not only directly but through the students he trained, and I hope this lecture will encourage students to have an impact in their scientific endeavors similar to how Dr. Randel encouraged so many students." George A. Perry, Ph.D. | Professor | Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center

  • Jennifer Patterson

    "I was very honored to be selected to give the 2026 Bentley Lecture at the Midwest Animal Science Meeting and I am delighted to be added to the list of previous presenters. This recognition is very meaningful to me; it not only reflects the work I feel privileged to pursue, but it also honors the legacy of my mentors and the current work of our team. Importantly, it allows us to highlight our commitment to putting ‘Science into Practice’ - which couldn’t be achieved without industry collaboration and partnerships." Jennifer Patterson, Ph.D. | Professor | University of Alberta

  • Clay Lents

    "I thank the James W. Lauderdale Appreciation Club for sponsoring the Animal Physiology and Endocrinology Award. It is a perfect example of Jim’s commitment to making an impact for animal agriculture. I am humbled to receive this award. Many of the past recipients have been important mentors for me both in academia and with USDA. It is truly meaningful to me to continue that legacy of excellence." Clay Lents, Ph.D. | USDA-ARS, Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center

  • Huaijun Zhou

    "I am deeply honored to receive the 2026 ASAS Innovations in Animal Breeding and Genetics Award. While my work has been primarily rooted in the poultry science community and recognized by the Poultry Science Association, this first recognition from the American Society of Animal Science is especially meaningful as it reflects the broader impact of our research across poultry, cattle, pigs, and fish through functional genome annotation efforts. This award belongs to the talented postdoctoral scholars, students, and scientists in my lab, and to our collaborators worldwide, whose collective work advances sustainable animal agriculture and global food security. I am especially grateful to the ASAS Foundation for supporting innovations that translate science into real-world impact for animal health and communities worldwide." Huaijun Zhou, Ph.D. | Chancellor’s Leadership Professor | Department of Animal Science | University of California, Davis

  • Frank Dunshea

    "I am honoured to receive the American Society of Animal Science President’s International Award in recognition of my international research and contributions to animal science. I am delighted and humbled that others feel that my research and scholarship have had global impact, particularly in animal nutrition and productivity and that my collaborations have strengthened links between academia and industry worldwide. In addition, I am pleased to be recognised for my commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists which I feel exemplifies the values celebrated by the award and the James Sartin Appreciation Club." Frank R. Dunshea, PhD, FAAAS, FAPSA, FNSA, FIUNS, Cert. Anim. Sci. | Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor and Chair of Agriculture | School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences | Faculty of Science | The University of Melbourne

  • Jon Bergstrom

    "It was truly an honor to be selected for the 2026 Maxwell Lectureship, and to be asked to share "a trip down memory lane" in honor of Dr. Maxwell. Dr. Maxwell has had a tremendous impact on many professionals throughout his lifetime of teaching and research in swine nutrition and production. It is one of the highlights of my career to have been able to share some of the impactful and unique research that he contributed greatly to during the years that I was blessed to know him." Jon Bergstrom, Ph.D. | Sr. Technical Expert, Swine Nutrition | dsm-firmenich

Foundation Initiatives to recognize, celebrate and award ASAS Professional members for their accomplishments:

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IMPACT:
SCIENTIFIC MEETING SUPPORT

Foundation Initiatives to enhance and expand excellence in animal science programming by securing distinguished lectures and renowned symposia for sectional, annual, and international meetings.

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There are many ways for you to support animal scientists and become an ASAS Foundation Partner:

  • Visit Ways To Give to learn more.
  • Online giving: Donate Now 
  • Mail a check: Payable to American Society of Animal Science to ASAS Foundation, PO Box 7410, Champaign, IL 61826-7410
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (eligible for Required Minimum Distributions)
  • Gifts of Securities: Online form here

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  Click here to make your gift and
become an ASAS Foundation Partner Today!

Become an ASAS member

Membership is open to individuals, organizations, or firms interested in research and application, instruction, or extension in animal science or associated with the production, processing, marketing, or distribution of livestock and livestock products.

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