Animal Health & Production

Cecilia Rocha

July 19, 2024

Cecilia Rocha

Cecilia has extensive experience in the field of reproductive physiology of beef cows. She develops applied and basic research aiming to increase reproductive efficiency in beef operations. Around 40 to 60% of cows lose a pregnancy in the first 30 days of gestation. Cecilia studies the main events that happen in this moment which could be manipulated to reduce pregnancy loss, such as, interferon-tau signaling, immune response of the uterus, and embryo-maternal crosstalk in uterine tissues. Educational background Ph.D. in reproductive physiology, University of Florida Master’s degree, University of Sao Paulo DVM, Federal University of Santa Catarina…

Lijing Gao smiling.

July 16, 2024

Lijing Gao

Gao was trained as an agricultural science communication specialist and an environmental sociologist, focusing on the interconnectedness of agricultural systems with socio-economic, political, and ethical decisions. Her current research focuses on understanding perceptions of livestock biotechnology, particularly genome editing. Gao employs a mixed-method approach. Educational background Ph.D. in Sociology and Sustainable Agriculture, Minor in Statistics, Iowa State University (ISU) 2022 Courses taught Sociology of Natural Resources Transition in Agriculture Introduction to Sociology…

Jay Johnson smiling.

July 2, 2024

Jay S. Johnson

Johnson is an Associate Professor of Animal Welfare and Stress Physiology in the Division of Animal Sciences. The overall goal of his research program is to identify production-relevant stressors and evaluate and mitigate their impacts on livestock health, productivity, and welfare. Johnson’s research program uses an integrative physiology approach encompassing aspects of stress physiology, nutritional physiology, and applied ethology to develop and/or improve upon livestock husbandry practices that enhance animal health and welfare while maintaining or increasing economic return for producers. Specific research areas include improving heat stress resilience in swine through genomic selection, improved management, and nutrition to reduce…

Thiago Martins

Jan. 23, 2024

Thiago Martins

Our laboratory conducts studies on the topics of hormonal control of the estrous cycle and early embryonic losses in beef cattle. Specifically, we investigate progesterone-based strategies to improve efficiency of estrous synchronization programs for beef cows, embryo-maternal communication, and new fertility-promoting molecules. The research studies involve use of steroid assays, ultrasound, molecular techniques, and omics approaches. Our laboratory is also committed to promoting the use of reproductive biotechnologies in cow-calf operations. Educational background Ph.D., Reproductive Physiology, University of São Paulo M.S., Animal Production, São Paulo State University D.V.M., São Paulo State University…

Jamie Courter

Oct. 16, 2023

Jamie Courter

Educational background Ph.D., Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Nebraska – Lincoln M.S., Animal Breeding and Genetics, South Dakota State University B.S., Animal Science, Minor in Genetics, North Carolina State University…

Amy Petry smiling.

June 5, 2023

Amy Petry

Petry is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Animal Science at the University of Missouri, where she leads the MU Monogastric Nutrition Research Lab. Her lab utilizes basic and innovative science to develop, advance, or improve applied nutrition solutions. Her team’s research themes encompass: 1) enhancing fiber utilization and its impact on energy and health benefits in swine diets, 2) exploring the interactions between diet and physiology at a whole-body level, 3) optimizing energy and nutrient supply during homeorhetic states, and 4) developing nutritional biomedical pig models. In 2020, Dr. Petry earned her Ph.D. from Iowa State University. Throughout…

Michael J. Petris smiling.

Sep. 2, 2019

Michael J. Petris

The micronutrient copper (Cu) is essential for several key enzymatic processes involved in energy generation, protection against reactive oxygen species, formation of blood vessels, immune function, and healthy functioning of the central nervous system. This nutrient is able to exist in two oxidation states Cu1+ and Cu2+, and participate in the generation of reactive oxygen species. A delicate balance of copper homeostasis must be maintained to provide sufficient levels of this nutrient, while preventing toxic build up. Copper and Cancer Recent evidence suggests that copper plays a key role in tumor growth because this metal is essential for blood…

Amanda Patterson headshot

Nov. 6, 2018

Amanda L. Patterson

Educational background Ph.D., Washington State University, 2013 Courses taught ANSCI 8087: Graduate Seminar in Animal Sciences ANSCI 8434: Special Topics in Reproductive Biology…

Sep. 28, 2018

Corinne Bromfield

Educational background DVM, University of Florida, 2010…

Derek Brake smiling.

Sep. 17, 2018

Derek Brake

Educational background Ph.D. Ruminant Nutrition, Kansas State University M.S. Animal Science (Ruminant Nutrition), Kansas State University Courses taught AnSci 4332/7332: Ruminant Nutrition AnSci 4975/4975W/7975: Beef Production…