• Midwest Section
• Awards

ASAS Young Scholar Award

Sponsored by: United Animal Health

Colten Dornbach, Texas Tech University

Colten Dornbach is a Ph.D. candidate in Animal Science at Texas Tech University working under the direction of Dr. Kristin Hales. He received a B.S. from Colorado State University and a M.S. from the University of Illinois. His Ph.D. research has involved work on antimicrobial resistance, longitudinal assessments of bacterial populations involved in liver abscess formation, effects of feedlot cattle management on Salmonella enterica prevalence, metaphylaxis in newly received cattle, and investigations into methane emissions and energetics of beef cattle. He is currently working on a novel technique to measure nostril methane concentrations in cattle. Colten’s has produced six peer-reviewed journal articles and 13 published abstracts, and he has received a competitive research grant from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association. Colten has been engaged in community service throughout his time in college, and he has been recognized with several awards and scholarships. He plans to seek an academic position where he can continue to focus on research and education.

Sponsored by: United Animal Health

Yuechi Fu, Purdue University

Yuechi Fu is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Animal Sciences at Purdue University. She earned her B.S. in Veterinary Medicine from Southwest University in China and her M.S. in Animal Sciences from Purdue University. In 2022, she began her Ph.D. program under the guidance of Dr. Kolapo Ajuwon and Dr. Olayiwola Adeola. Her research focuses on the effects of maternal live yeast supplementation on piglet growth efficacy and the possible mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of maternal-neonatal transfer. Yuechi has published 9 peer-reviewed articles and 12 research abstracts. She has also received several awards, including the Targeting Excellence Award (Indiana section, 2024), W.R. Featherston Off-campus Training Fellowship (2024), G.W. Friars International Graduate Student Fellowship (2022), and the ANSC LOUJA travel grant (2021, 2024) from Purdue, the Travel Award from Poultry Science Association (2024) and the Summer Institute of Statistical Genetics Scholarship (2024) from Georgia Tech.

Sponsored by: United Animal Health

Diego Lopez, Kansas State University

Diego Lopez is a Ph.D. student at Kansas State University in the department of Grain Science and Industry. He was born in Bogota, Colombia, where he received his B.S. in animal science at the National University of Colombia. During his bachelor's degree, he conducted an internship at the University of Illinois under the guidance of Dr. Hans Stein, where he also received his M.S. in monogastric nutrition. After a short period of working in the industry, he decided to pursue a Ph.D. Degree under the guidance of Dr. Chad Paulk, focusing on the effects of feed processing and feed additives on the digestibility of energy and nutrients in diets fed to growing pigs. Diego has led the way in conducting digestibility research at Kansas State University, determining the relationship between feed manufacturing and nutritional value of swine feed.

Sponsored by: United Animal Health

Andrea Luttman, Michigan State University

Andrea Luttman is a Ph.D. candidate in the Genetics and Genome Sciences Program at Michigan State University and a USDA NIFA Predoctoral Fellow, mentored by Dr. Catherine Ernst. Her dissertation research focuses on evaluating the validity of using cortisol pattern as a proxy for measuring resilience in weaned pigs through the integration of piglet performance data with transcriptomic and whole genome DNA methylation profiles of brain tissues. As she continues her research career, she plans to contribute to the understanding of the genetic basis for resilience enabling selection of animals with improved welfare without compromised production. She also values scientific communication and undergraduate mentorship. She has participated in producer-targeted magazine articles, industry podcasts, serves as advisor for an undergraduate club, and organizes her university Academic Quadrathlon competition.

Sponsored by: United Animal Health

Yifei (Nicole) Wang, The Ohio State University

Yifei (Nicole) Wang is Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Animal Sciences at The Ohio State University. As a native of Beijing, China, Nicole earned her B.S. in Food Science and Engineering from Sichuan University. She then completed her M.S. in Animal and Food Sciences at the University of Kentucky where she studied meat science and muscle biology. Nicole has had very successful graduate programs, which have led to 18 refereed journals articles and over 25 scientific abstracts, to-date. Her current research is focused on evaluating muscle-specific differences of pork and has included fundamental biology components such as proteomics as well as applied meat science components such as sensory analysis. Nicole has been actively engaged in educational and outreach activities during her Ph.D. program by delivering several guest lectures and serving on the Council of Graduate Students at the Ohio State University. We look forward to the many contributions that Nicole will achieve in the future.

Dr. Gary Allee Graduate Student Travel Award

Sponsored by: Dr. Gary Allee Appreciation Club

Hyunjun Choi, North Carolina State University

Hyunjun Choi is a doctoral candidate in Animal Science at North Carolina State University. Growing up on his family’s pig farm, he gained early insights into animal nutrition. He earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Konkuk University and is now focusing his Ph.D. research on dietary strategies to improve intestinal health and growth in nursery pigs. By employing antimicrobial compounds and feed enzymes targeting anti-nutritional compounds, his work aims to beneficially alter the jejunal mucosal microbiota, reducing pathogenic attachment and inflammation to support enhanced intestinal health and growth in pigs. To date, Mr. Choi has authored 18 peer-reviewed journal articles, including 13 as the first author, and co-authored two book chapters. His contributions have been recognized with the ASAS Young Scholar Award (2024), the Pinnacle Award (2023) from the International Ingredient Company, and the Communicators Graduate Fellowship (2022) from the North Carolina Pork Council.

Outstanding Early Career Agribusiness Award

Sponsored by: BASF

Jon De Jong, Pipestone Nutrition

Dr. Jon A. De Jong currently serves as Executive Vice President of Pipestone Nutrition. He oversees nutritional and ingredient support for customer wean to market pigs and sows. Jon focuses decision making on sound scientific principles and uses applied commercial research to implement ideal practices and business decisions for producers. Jon has a reputation for listening to customer needs and meeting those expectations. Dr. De Jong is a humble leader that understands the importance of a larger organization having multi-disciplinary team members that can bring in different scientific concepts and apply them in real world conditions. Dr. De Jong is one of the most outstanding swine nutritionists and business leaders in the U.S and has played and continues to play a key role in expanding Pipestone Nutrition’s global presence. Lastly, but most importantly, Jon is blessed to be a husband to his beautiful bride of 12 years (Karis) and dad to his 5 kids (Brooks 9, Adaline 8, Hayes 5, Vaughn 2, and Mack 1).

Outstanding Young Extension Specialist Award

Sponsored by: Purina Animal Health

Jessica Sperber, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Dr. Jessica L. Sperber was raised on her family’s 4th generation cow-calf and grain operation in Alberta, Canada. She attained her M.S. from West Texas A&M University and Ph.D. in feedlot nutrition from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She assumed the role of Extension Assistant Professor and Feedlot Specialist at UNL in the fall of 2022, and in her tenure, has made significant contributions to the beef feedlot sector, leading impactful programs such as the Feedlot Roundtables and Husker Beef Nutrition Conference. In 2024, her extension outreach directly impacted 1,680 individuals and indirectly reached over 128,000. Her dynamic social media presence fosters consumer engagement, and her leadership in industry initiatives enhance feedlot management efficiency and sustainability.

Outstanding Young Researcher Award

Sponsored by: dsm-firmenich, Animal Nutrition and Health

Zachary Kidd Foster Smith, South Dakota State University

Dr. Zachary Smith’s focus is on nutrition and management of fed beef cattle from weaning to harvest. Since 2018, Dr. Smith, has chaired numerous students to degree completion (M.S. = 5 and Ph.D. = 3), served on the graduate committee of sixteen other students, published 72 peer-reviewed journal articles, more than 100 peer-reviewed abstracts, one book chapter, and has secured over 37 awards totaling over 4.3 million dollars in funding. Research conducted by Dr. Smith and his has been adopted by many cattle feeders both domestically and internationally. Dr. Smith resides in Brookings, SD with his wife Shyan and their two sons Maddox (8) and Renner (3).

Outstanding Young Teacher Award

Sponsored by: Elanco

Alvaro Garcia Guerra, The Ohio State University

Dr. Alvaro Garcia Guerra of The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences focuses his research on beef and dairy cattle reproduction. Through Alvaro’s commitment to teaching, he has made great contributions early in his career. These early-career teaching contributions are evidenced by his outstanding accomplishments in 1) undergraduate education, 2) graduate education, 3) and Extension outreach engagement endeavors to agricultural stakeholders. Because of these accomplishments, Alvaro, is a most deserved recipient of the American Society of Animal Science Early Career Teaching Award.

Stahly/Peo Outstanding Graduate Student in Swine Nutrition Award

Sponsored by: Stahly/Peo Memorial and Tribute Fund

Larissa Becker, Kansas State University

Larissa Becker grew up in the swine industry through her family’s commercial swine operation and involvement in the show pig industry. She received her B.S. degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University in 2020 followed by her M.S. in 2021 and Ph.D. in 2024 both from Kansas State University. She currently serves as a Production Nutritionist with JBS Live Pork. Larissa has conducted a diverse set of research including work understanding Ca, P, and vitamin D metabolites in sow and nursery pigs, the effect of folic acid on growth performance and survivability of nursery pigs, and the impact of an open-farrowing multi-suckle concept on sow and offspring performance in a large production system. She also has had fellowship roles coordinating research in multiple commercial swine production systems. Larissa has earned multiple scholarships and awards including being a 2024 National ASAS young scholar and serving as the National ASAS Graduate Director.

Swine Nutrition Heritage Fund Travel Award

Sponsored by: Swine Nutrition Heritage Fund Travel Award

Supatirada Wongchanla, University of California-Davis

Supatirada Wongchanla is a Ph.D. candidate in the Animal Biology Graduate Group at the University of California, Davis. She was born and raised in Thailand. She earned her D.V.M. from Kasetsart University, Thailand. Her early career as a technical product advisor for animal feed additives, particularly in the swine industry, sparked her deep interest in animal nutrition research. Now pursuing her Ph.D. with the support of the prestigious full-funding award, Anandamahidol Scholarship, Supatirada is dedicated to advancing sustainable animal production. Her research, under the guidance of Dr. Yanhong Liu, focuses on the role of functional amino acids—L-glutamate and L-aspartate—in enhancing gut health and overall well-being in weaned piglets, with the goal of reducing antibiotic use. By exploring the complex interactions between diet and gut health, her work aims to provide innovative, evidence-based solutions that improve livestock performance, welfare, and productivity.