Our Graduate Students

My research is in the area of molecular genetics and genomics of sheep and cattle.

My major professor is Brenda Murdoch, Ph.D.

• B.S. Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Idaho
• B.A. English, University of Idaho

My program focus/interest/research is

My major professor is Amin Ahmadzadeh, Ph.D.

• B.S. Animal Science, Washington State University
• Hometown is Centralia, Washington

My current research focus is understanding how important traits are inherited from parent to offspring in sheep and cattle. In addition, I am studying how genetic variation is related to complex phenotypic traits that are desirable to the sheep and cattle industries. I have received travel awards to present this research at the International Sheep Genome Consortium workshop at the Plant and Animal Genome conference and the Applied Sheep and Goat Genomics workshop at the International Society for Animal Genetics conference. I also serve as a teaching assistant for undergraduate Livestock Genetics and Animal Anatomy and Physiology courses.

My major professor is Brenda Murdoch, Ph.D.

• M.S. Animal Science, University of Idaho
• B.S. Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Idaho

My research seeks to understand changes in mitochondrial function throughout the lactation cycle. We use liver and skeletal muscle samples from dairy cattle, due to the tissues’ energetically demanding nature. Our goal is to improve our understanding of regulation and function to enhance milk synthesis and ultimately improve rates of breastfeeding.

My major professor is Amy Skibiel, Ph.D.

• B.S. Animal Science: Animal Biology, University of Florida

I am working in the field of fish nutrigenomics. I will use my expertise to select some Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) lines that utilizes the plant-based feed more efficiently. Overall, my project will provide a unique opportunity to develop efficient and economical methods to fully explore the roles of genetics and nutrition for enhancing sustainable aquaculture and thus providing a source of healthy protein to a growing world population.

My major research focuses on:

• Interplay between fish nutrition and genetics
• Genetic selection of rainbow trout lines
• Dietary impacts of soybean meal on  gut microbiome and its characterization by next gen sequencing
• A bio-informatic processing of data of massive gene expression analyses (RNA-seq)

My major professor is Vikas Kumar, Ph.D.

• M.S. Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Missouri-St. Louis
• B.S. Fish Nutrigenomics and Microbiome
• All the knowledge I gained through bachelor and master program guided me to the interesting field of fish nutrigenomics and microbiome

My program focus is dairy cattle nutrition and it subsequent effects on performance and production.

My major professor is

• B.S. Animal and Veterinary Science: Pre-Vet, University of Idaho
• Hometown is Twin Falls, Idaho

My program focus is applied meat science, carcass utilization and meat quality.

My major professor is Phil Bass, Ph.D.

• M.S. Animal Science: Meat Science emphasis, University of Nebraska Lincoln
• B.S. Animal Science, Colorado State University
• Hometown is Jerome, Idaho

I am particularly interested in the effects of nutrition on animal health, physiology and behavior.

I began my research career at Stetson working with Mexican axolotls (a neotenic salamander) studying the effect of salinity on embryonic development. I have also worked with a number of aquariums in Florida and North Carolina learning husbandry skills and studying different species of fish and elasmobranchs; including parthenogenesis in female bamboo sharks.

I am currently studying organic and inorganic mineral metabolism in Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at the Aquaculture Research Institute in Moscow, Idaho.

Major research areas:

• Fish nutrition
• Alternative feed ingredients for sustainable aquaculture
• Develop and optimize sustainable feeds
• Dietary requirements, bioavailability and metabolic roles of organic and inorganic minerals
• Gene expression analysis for myogenesis, collagen building, antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress
• Vertebral morphometry and cataract development

My major professor is Vikas Kumar, Ph.D.

• B.S. Aquatic and Marine Biology, Stetson University, Florida
• All of my experiences have helped guide me to the interesting field of fish nutrition and physiology.

My program focus is in dairy cow nutrition and lactation research.

My major professor is Mark McGuire, Ph.D.

Started doctorate program in the 2016 spring semester.

• M.S. Animal Science, University of Idaho
• B.S. Animal and Veterinary Science & minor in music, University of Idaho
• College of Southern Idaho

My program focus is in ruminant nutrition in the hopes that I could contribute more to the beef cattle industry.

My major professor is Gwinyai Chibisa, Ph.D.

• B.S. Animal and Veterinary Science: Production, University of Idaho, 2017
• Following graduation worked as a research assistant at Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center and at Knott Dairy Center.

As a researcher I will amalgamate my biotechnology and aquaculture background together to develop a toolset to mitigate the detrimental effects of alternative feed ingredients in commercial fish species. The goal is to establish a novel natural gut health protocol to improve resistance to diseases in commercial fish (Nile tilapia and Rainbow trout) while ensuring the efficiency and sustainability of intensive aquaculture practices.

My major professor is Vikas Kumar, Ph.D.

• M.Sc. Aquaculture, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
• B.Sc. Biotechnology, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Spain

My research is in improving the efficiency of estrous synchronization protocols in dairy cattle.

My major professor is Amin Ahmadzadeh, Ph.D.

• B.S. Dairy Science, University of Idaho
• Hometown: Mountain Home, Idaho

My research work is focused on lactation, nutrition and dairy.

My major professor is Mark McGuire, Ph.D.

• M.S. Food Science, India
• B.S. Food Science, India
• To gain hands-on experience, interned at a dairy and food manufacturing company in India.

My research is focused on identifying microbial populations (fungal and bacterial), using sequencing technologies, found on wet and dry-aged loins from commercial dry-aging facilities and assess the potential influence of eating quality of dry-aged beef from selected regional locations within the United States.

My program focus is gut health in large ruminants.

My current research is focused on testing the effects of a top-dressed probiotic on inflammatory markers in the blood, milk composition and dry matter intake. 

Upon completion of my master’s degree, I intend to work in the dairy industry in either production or extension.

My major professor is Anne Laarman, Ph.D.

• B.S. Animal Science Production Management, Auburn University, 2017
• Interned at Full Circle Dairy, LLC in Florida responsible for calf care and maintenance

My research is in the area of molecular genetics and genomics of sheep and cattle.

My major professor is Brenda Murdoch, Ph.D.

• B.S. Animal Science, University of Findlay
• B.S. Biology, University of Findlay

My program focus is lipid metabolism, dairy nutrition and epidemiology.

My major professor is Pedram Rezamand, Ph.D.

• M.S. Animal Science, University of Idaho, 2016
• M.S. Animal Science, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, 2010
• B.S. Animal Science, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, 2007

My research is in the area of molecular genetics and genomics of rainbow trout.

My major professor is Matt Powell, Ph.D.

• B.S. Aquatic Biosciences, National Chiayi University, Taiwan, 2017

My program focus is understanding the relationship among failure of passive transfer of bovine maternal antibodies and lipid soluble vitamins with morbidity and mortality in neonatal dairy calves.

My major professor is Pedram Rezamand, Ph.D.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University
• B.S. Health Sciences, Boise State University
• Hometown is Garden Valley, Idaho

My research is focused on increasing the shelf-life of beef shipped internationally by applying topical antioxidants to the surface of the meat. By extending the retail display time of U.S. beef, the international demand will increase and improve the profit margin of cow/calf producers, feedlots and beef packers.

My major professor is Michael Colle, Ph.D.

• B.S. Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Idaho, 2019
• Hometown: Lewiston, Idaho

My major professor is Gordon Murdoch, Ph.D..

• B.S., Oregon State University, 2019
• Hometown is Idaho
• Recipient of undergraduate research award at 2019 PNW Animal Nutrition conference
• First recipient of the Hunt Family Research and Education Endowment Fund
• Summer internship at Johnson research in 2018

My research addresses the need to develop effective mitigating strategies towards multiple water borne contaminants that are prevalent in U.S. aquaculture systems. Specifically, focused on the development of functional feed (bentonite and vitamin C) to mitigate the adverse effects on performance and health status of fish due to natural water metal (Iron) toxicity and nitrogenous metabolic waste (ammonia) produced by fish. Major objective of my research is to determine the potential benefits of dietary bentonite and vitamin C as a feed additive on ammonia and mineral elimination by fish as well as on production performance and integrated physiological, metabolic and cellular responses.

My major professor is Vikas Kumar, Ph.D.

M.S. Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, Kentucky State University
B.S. Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Tribhuvan University, Nepal