The Giving Herd - ASAS Foundation Newsletter - February 2025

ASAS Foundation ~ Newsletter

The Philanthropic Branch of ASAS

In This February 2025 Edition - The Giving Herd "Inspire · Ignite · Invest"

• Philanthropy in Action
  • Meet the 2025 Dr. Gary Allee Graduate Student Travel Award recipient, Hyunjun Choi
• A Member's Story - "ASAS is my extended family!"
  • Kristin Hales' ASAS Journey
• Coming Soon!
  • ASAS Foundation Folly
  • New in 2025 - "Legacy Scholarships"
• Inspire ·Ignite ·Invest!
  • A message from Glenn Duff, Ph.D.
• Thank You ASAS Foundation Partners!

Inspire · Ignite · Invest - Philanthropy in Action

(Hyunjun Choi)

"I am truly honored to receive the 2025 Dr. Gary Allee Graduate Student Travel Award! This award allowed me to attend the conference, providing a valuable opportunity to share our research and explore the work of many other researchers. I would like to express my deep gratitude to the ASAS Foundation for making this possible. Additionally, I believe this achievement is not mine alone but the result of the collective efforts of my fellow Kim Lab members and my mentor, Dr. Sung Woo Kim. Go Pack!" Hyunjun Choi | Ph.D. candidate Animal Science | North Carolina State University | 2025

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. 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.

Congratulations, Hyunjun, on being selected as the 2025 Dr. Gary Allee Graduate Student Travel Award recipient, supported by ASAS Foundation's Dr. Gary Allee Appreciation Club.

To learn how you can support this scholarship and other
foundation initiatives, visit online here.

DONATE

A Members ASAS Journey - "ASAS is my extended family!"

(Chris and Kristin Hales)

"Growing up in the Texas Panhandle in a multi-generational family of cattlemen and cotton farmers, with my family growing wheat and raising cattle, college wasn't something we had ever considered. As a farm kid, I found joy in the simple pleasures—being part of 4-H and FFA, riding my bike down dirt roads, spending long nights chasing fireflies, and waking up early to care for the animals and finish my chores.

As a teenager and during summer breaks from college, I worked at a local feedlot, where a consulting nutritionist entrusted me with gathering feed ingredient samples, which I found fascinating! This experience is a constant reminder of how we unknowingly inspire others simply by sharing what we love.

Even though college wasn't initially in the cards for me or my siblings, my parents supported my decision, and I became the first in our family to earn a college degree.

I began my studies at our local junior college before transferring to Oklahoma State University (OSU). Initially, I selected agricultural economics as my major; perhaps the relentless Oklahoma heat and humidity clouded my judgment. However, it only took one excruciatingly dull macroeconomics class for me to change my major to animal science under the mentorship of Dr. Gerald Horn.

This decision, second only to marrying my husband, is one of the best choices of my life! Dr. Horn encouraged all his students, including me, to join ASAS, highlighting the incredible value of a $15 student membership. I have maintained my membership for over twenty years and attended nearly every Annual Meeting.

(Kristin Hales, Ph.D.)

After earning my B.S. and M.S. in animal science, I dove into my Ph.D. journey at Texas Tech University (TTU) with the remarkable guidance of Dr. Michael Galyean. I then spent two exciting years as a postdoc with Dr. N. Andy Cole, where I got hands-on with indirect respiration calorimetry using whole animal chambers. Who knew that beef cattle energetics would become my absolute favorite research area?

Throughout my career, I have had outstanding mentors dedicated to quality research and strongly tied to ASAS.

(Andy Cole, Kristin Hales - receiving the 2024 AFIA Ruminant Nutrition Award, and Michael Galyean)

"Kristin is one of the top experts in beef cattle energy metabolism globally, and I am privileged to have contributed to her career journey. Her dedication and inspiration as a scientist are truly remarkable!" | N. Andy Cole, Ph.D.

"Kristin is an exceptional scholar with remarkable work ethic. More importantly, she is an extraordinary person and fantastic mentor, and I am honored to now call her my colleague." | Michael Galyean, Ph.D.

(Kristin and Chris Hales, & Huck and Goose)

Thirteen years ago, I had the joy of marrying Chris, my longtime sweetheart. Together, we share our lives with two very spoiled Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Huck and Goose, who have taught us the fine art of pampering them. When not with Huck and Goose, we enjoy wake surfing and any kind of fishing.

In 2019, I joined TTU's Department of Animal and Food Sciences. One of our first exciting projects was transforming a facility to include 12 metabolism stalls and six indirect respiration calorimeter head boxes, all to advance our energetics research.

Today, I teach a graduate-level course on energetics at TTU, sharing my passion and knowledge with the next generation of scientists.

(Dr. Hales and her students, Dec. 2024)

From my start at OSU to now, my 'ASAS extended family' has been consistent, reliable, and even entertaining at times. The chance to attend scientific meetings as a graduate student and now as a professor with my graduate students is truly special.

Looking back on my journey in animal science, I feel a deep sense of gratitude and excitement for the path ahead. In 2025, ASAS Foundation's focus encourages us to 'Inspire, Ignite, and Invest,' which is an exceptional summary of what ASAS has done for me and what I strive to do for others. Supporting the ASAS Foundation is my way of giving back to an organization that has been a cornerstone in my life.

Please join me in contributing to the ASAS Foundation's Legacy Fund or another fund of your choice. We can support each other and nurture the next generation of scientists and leaders.

Thank you for being part of my journey and supporting our community as we continue this journey together!"

Kristin Hales, Ph.D.

To read Kristin's full story visit HERE.

Discover how your charitable contributions can empower animal scientists by funding travel scholarships, critical internships, and other key initiatives. Visit online HERE.

Inspire · Ignite · Invest - Coming Soon

March 20 - April 9, 2025

Throughout the year, we celebrate and support opportunities to enrich animal science and scientists. And what better way than with our annual friendly competition of the ASAS Foundation Folly!

Like that well-known March basketball competition, we will challenge each other to a spirited competition among our colleges and universities to raise funds to benefit ASAS Foundation's "Student and Young Animal Scientists Opportunities Fund."

WIN THE AMAZING PRIZE:

• Bragging rights as being the BEST SCHOOL for animal science students.
• Own the "University/College Takeover Day" at the 2025 ASAS Annual Meeting!
• Your school color will be the official 2025 ASAS Annual Meeting color!
  • Receive an ASAS logo-polo shirt for each of your school's animal science faculty and graduate students (up to 100 polo shirts)

More details coming soon!

The Legacy Scholarships

This May, watch for the exciting announcement during the 2025 ASAS Foundation Week, from May 19th to 23rd, as we introduce the new Legacy Scholarships* through ASAS Foundation's Legacy Fund.

Your generosity will inspire future leaders of animal science, helping them delve deeper into their research and igniting their passion for our industry.

By investing in our dedicated graduate students, these scholarships will provide travel awards to ensure they can attend an ASAS-supported meeting of their choice, empowering them to reach new heights, explore innovative ideas, and make a lasting impact on the world.

Join us during Foundation Week as we celebrate this remarkable opportunity to shape the future and honor the legacy of excellence.

*Beginning January 1, 2025, all contributions to the Legacy Fund provide support for the Legacy Scholarships, in addition to supporting ASAS Foundation's highest priorities.

To learn more and support now, visit online here.

Inspire · Ignite · Invest - Enriching Animal Science

(Glenn Duff, Ph.D.)

"I am genuinely excited to invite you to partner with us during ASAS Foundation's 2025 campaign, "Inspire ·Ignite · Invest - Enriching Animal Science." This initiative captures the essence of our heartfelt mission in animal science." Glenn Duff, Ph.D. | ASAS Foundation Chair | Professor | Department of Animal and Range Sciences | New Mexico State University

2025 ASAS Foundation Campaign

Our opportunity to inspire, ignite and invest in our animal science community!

Inspire is our opportunity to unlock others' potential. As we collaborate, we harness the wonders of research and innovation to create a brighter future where our collective efforts make a meaningful impact.

Ignite is the spark that fuels our inspiration, lights up our passion, and drives us to achieve greatness. Igniting this passion within ourselves and others creates a ripple effect, leading to innovative ideas and groundbreaking discoveries.

Invest in our animal science community, supporting our fellow animal scientists through all stages of their careers. Our commitment today will empower young minds to dream bigger, think bolder, and lead with courage and compassion.

Thank you!

Thank you to our ASAS Foundation Giving Partners!

We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our amazing Foundation Partners! Your support truly makes a difference in our work. To see the meaningful impact of your generosity through the ASAS Foundation, we invite you to explore our online ASAS Foundation 2024 Impact Report. Thank you for being a vital part of our mission!

To show our gratitude for your generosity, we’re thrilled to gift you a Collector Magnet* as a thank you for your charitable contribution!

DONATE

*The Collector Magnet series began in 2022. This year, 2025, is the final year for the Collector Magnet Series. Please contact Amy Brainard, ASAS Chief Development Officer, for inquiries regarding the magnet collection at amyb@asas.org.