Research

The School of Animal Sciences' main research objective is to optimize the efficiency of animal production while maintaining or enhancing the environment. Our research programs focus on applied science, which has an immediate application to animal agriculture, and basic science, which in turn, provides scientific foundation for further basic and applied research discoveries. 

Research with food-producing animals focuses on the production of nutritious and safe animal products. Equine research emphasizes the optimization of nutrition of high-performance horses for recreational purposes. Appropriate health and care of the animals is of paramount importance in our research programs.

Research conducted by faculty members in the school is directed towards problems - and opportunities - in the dairy, poultry, red meat, and horse industries. Basic science also interfaces with areas of biomedical relevance. The school is committed to effective and timely transfer of research-generated knowledge and technology to the agricultural industry and the larger scientific and public sectors to benefit our state, our nation, and our world.

Research Opportunities

Undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows have exceptional opportunities to train and conduct research under the guidance of renowed faculty with a variety of backgrounds and resources. Students and postdocs provide innovative ideas and new insights to enhance and accomplish  research objectives.

Research Areas

Research in the School of Animal Sciences encompasses many discipline areas including:

• Animal Breeding and Genetics
• Animal Data Sciences
  
• Behavior
• Companion Animal Behavior and Welfare
• Endocrinology
• Epigenetics
  
• Forage Evaluation and Management
  
• Genetics and Genomics 
• Growth and Muscle Biology
• Immunology
  
• Management
  
• Neurobiology 
• Nutrition and Feeding
  
• Physiology
• Precision Agriculture and Sustainability
  
• Product Quality  
• Reproductive Physiology