Animal Sciences

June 21, 2023

CAFNR Graduate Student Named DCRC Scholar

Isabella Sellmer Ramos, a Master's student in Animal Sciences, was named the 2023 DCRC Scholar by the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council.

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…

Collage of photos of Trillion, Andres and Kathryn with a gold background and a header saying: Tap Day 2023

May 10, 2023

CAFNR Students Tapped for Honor Societies

CAFNR students took part in induction ceremonies for Mizzou honor societies April 28 as part of 2023 Tap Day. Inducted were Andres Mesa, Trillion Rosborough and Kathryn Wenger.

Hannah Twenter

May 2, 2023

‘Perfect Timing’

Hannah Twenter originally applied to Mizzou as a freshman business major wanting to pursue real estate. However, her dad didn’t want her to leave her home state of Illinois for a business degree as she could earn that nearly anywhere. She was determined to pursue her education out-of-state, so her dad suggested animal sciences instead. Twenter says that was the best recommendation he ever gave her. By the time she stepped on campus in the fall of 2009, her major was declared as animal sciences. During her undergraduate career, Twenter gained valuable hands-on experience through the equine program, and found…

20190917_CAFNRHeadshots_9980_calim_017_AhmedBalboula_AnimalScience

April 24, 2023

Ahmed Balboula Receives 2023 SSR Virendra B. Mahesh New Investigator Award

Ahmed Balboula, assistant professor in the Division of Animal Sciences, received the 2023 SSR Virendra B. Mahesh New Investigator Award from the Society of the Study of Reproduction (SSR). This award recognizes an active, regular member of the society for outstanding research completed and published within 12 years after receiving their PhD or other equivalent degree. In order to be considered for nomination, candidates undergo assessment based on the novelty, importance, and influence of their research in the field of reproductive sciences or related areas, as well as the extent to which their work was conducted independently from that of…

Honorees stand on stage

April 24, 2023

CAFNR Faculty & Staff Receive Honorary State FFA Degrees

The Missouri FFA Association named a number of CAFNR faculty and staff members Honorary State FFA Degree recipients at the 95th Missouri FFA Convention held April 20-21 in Columbia. This recognition was given for years of support, including service as state superintendents for agriculture, food and natural resources Career Development Events. Those honored include: Matt Arri, Agricultural Sales CDE Andrew Biggs, Agronomy CDE Addison Byrne, Livestock Evaluation CDE Andrew Clarke, Food Science & Technology CDE Lesleighan Cravens, Floriculture CDE Chris Daubert, Support of CDEs and the Convention Tawnie DeJong, Livestock Evaluation CDE Deborah Finke, Entomology CDE Laura Friedrich, Agricultural Sales…

Colby Radifer wearing a pale yellow shirt

April 19, 2023

Colby Redifer Received 2023 MWASAS Young Scholar Award

Colby Redifer, PhD candidate in ruminant animal physiology, was honored with the Young Scholar Award at the 2023 Midwest American Society of Animal Science (MWASAS) meeting. His research focuses on developmental programming, specifically the impacts of late gestational nutrient restriction on prenatal and postnatal offspring nutrient utilization in beef cattle, under the guidance of his advisor, Allison Meyer, associate professor in the Division of Animal Sciences. The Young Scholars Program recognizes and features research accomplishments of recent PhD recipients or current PhD students in the advanced stages of their program at the annual ASAS Midwest Section meeting. Promising scholars within…

Yahan Li smiling.

April 12, 2023

Yahan Li Received William R. Lamberson Distinguished Dissertation Award as Part of 2023 Celebration of Excellence

Yahan Li, who recently earned his PhD in Animal Sciences, received the William R. Lamberson Distinguished Dissertation Award at CAFNR’s 2023 Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony, held April 11. His advisor is Rocio Rivera, professor of animal sciences; she was also recognized as part of the ceremony. Li first came to CAFNR in 2016 as a master’s student and quickly impressed both his advisor and other faculty he collaborated with. He was offered a spot as a PhD candidate in 2018 and made many valuable contributions to the Developmental…

A group of seven students, four men and three women, pose for a group photo with a competition banner

April 10, 2023

Livestock Team Named Reserve Team Overall at Blue Dragon Classic

The Mizzou Livestock Judging Team was named Reserve Team Overall at the Blue Dragon Classic in Hutchison, Kansas, held in early April. The team placed third in Reasons, Cattle and Sheep & Goats, and fourth in Swine. Team members who placed include: Allison Eitel, senior in agriculture, 11th Overall; Sam Wheeler, junior in agriculture, 12th Overall; and Addie Thessen, junior in plant sciences, 14th Overall. The team is coached by Tawnie DeJong, instructor of animal sciences. Team members pictured left to right are Brady Schnelten, junior in animal sciences; Shane Vehige, junior in animal sciences; Eitel; Jenna Blessing, senior in agriculture; Thessen;…

Awardees holding awards with President Choi, Vice Chancellor and Dean Daubert and Senior Associate Dean Garton.

April 5, 2023

Advisors Recognized as Drivers of Distinction

CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert recognized 10 individuals as Drivers to Distinction. The awards were given in honor of their exceptional work advising students. The recipients were: Amy Marek, senior academic advisor, Division of Food, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences Kelsey Marek, academic advisor, Animal Sciences Robyn Eschenbrenner, senior academic advisor, Division of Applied Social Sciences Libby Johnson, academic advisor, School of Natural Resources Laura Hertel, senior student service coordinator, School of Natural Resources Jenna Fusinatto, academic advisor, School of Natural Resources Mackenzie Ewing, senior academic advisor, Plant Science & Technology Katie Ogan, coordinator of student services, CAFNR Office…