Julianna Messina is a Master’s student in Animal Science at Colorado State University focused in stress physiology. Her primary research project examines how gestational management alters ovarian development and reproductive capacity in offspring, integrating fundamental physiology with applied solutions for production agriculture. She has also taken on a secondary large animal project aimed at characterizing sheep behavior and physiology in innovative grazing systems, including solar-integrated landscapes. Julianna has authored and co-authored multiple abstracts and presentations at regional and national meetings and is a co-author on a submitted manuscript with more in preparation. Beyond her research productivity, Julianna demonstrates exceptional leadership and teaching within the department. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, she has independently developed and instructed introduction to animal science labs, and served as a teaching assistant for three upper-division physiology and reproduction lecture courses. She also coordinates and leads training for undergraduate research experiences, mentoring and managing approximately 20 students in applied research settings and additional students on the academic quadrathlon team. Through her integration of rigorous research, undergraduate mentorship, and departmental leadership, Julianna exemplifies the qualities of scholarship, initiative, and service recognized by this award.