Contact

Areas of expertise

Molecular genetics, epidemiology, microbiome science

Education

Asha M. Miles is a research geneticist in the Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, ARS, USDA, in Beltsville, MD. She applies knowledge of molecular genetics, epidemiology, and microbiome science in an integrated approach to understand animal health and production. Her research priorities include refining and redefining economically important phenotypes, incorporating host and microbial genetics into prediction of phenotypic expression, and describing novel traits encompassing microbiome-based health and productive efficiency. Her larger objectives include redefining selection goals to improve dairy animals and meet domestic and international demands for safe, nutritious food as the world faces unprecedented challenges in food production thanks to burgeoning populations, diminishing resources, and the changing climate.

Google Scholar Asha Miles

• Projects

  Increasing Accuracy of Genomic Prediction, Developing Algorithms, Selecting Markers, and Evaluating New Traits to Improve Dairy Cattle In-House Appropriated (D)   Accession Number:442491

  Characterizing the NAD+ Metabolome of Liver, Blood, and Milk in Dairy Cows Transitioning from Gestation to Lactation Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)   Accession Number:445058

• Publications

  • (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
  • Use of intrauterine dextrose as an alternative to systemic antibiotics for treatment of clinical metritis in dairy cattle: a microbiome perspective-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • Investigating alternative strategies to evaluate the feasibility of genomic selection for heat tolerance in US Holstein cattle-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Exploring test-day production yields for US Holstein cows in Texas state for heat-tolerance genomic predictions-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Association of individual cow milk fatty acid proportion and variance with milk production-(Proceedings)
    
    
  • Short communication: Artificially reared ewes cannot be distinguished from natural reared ewes based on observed maternal behavior or lamb weaning weights-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    
    
  • Validating genomic predictions for economic traits in purebred U.S. dairy heifers -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Toghiani, S., Van Raden, P.M., Null, D.J., Miles, A.M., Van Tassell, C.P. 2024. Validating genomic predictions for economic traits in purebred U.S. dairy heifers. Journal of Dairy Science. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-25267.
    
  • Analysis of factors affecting daily milk yields: an initial case study in an automatic thrice-milking farm-(Proceedings)
    Wu, X., Caputo, M.J., Wiggans, G.R., Norman, H.D., Miles, A.M., Van Tassell, C.P., Baldwin, R.L., Sievert, S., Mattison, J., Burchard, J., Durr, J.W. 2024. Analysis of factors affecting daily milk yields: an initial case study in an automatic thrice-milking farm. Interbull Bulletin. 60:34-41.
    
  • Shifting paradigms in daily milk yield correction factors: the DeLorenzo-Wiggans method revisited-(Abstract Only)
    Wu, X., Caputo, M.J., Wiggans, G.R., Norman, H.D., Miles, A.M., Van Tassell, C.P., Baldwin, R.L., Burchard, J., Durr, J. 2024. Shifting paradigms in daily milk yield correction factors: The DeLorenzo-Wiggans method revisited [abstract]. Journal of Dairy Science. 107(Suppl. 1):18-19(abstr. 1142).
    
  • Effects of a direct-fed microbial inclusion on the gastrointestinal and environmental microbiomes of turkey toms-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Comprehensive reporting of the resistome utilizing real-time sequencing technology-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Genetic and genomic evaluations of milking speed and duration from automated milk recording-(Abstract Only)
    O'Connell, J.R., Miles, A.M., Hutchison, J.L., Toghiani, S., Fourdraine, R.H., Van Raden, P.M. 2024. Genetic and genomic evaluations of milking speed and duration from automated milk recording [abstract]. Journal of Dairy Science. 107(Suppl. 1):41(abstr. 1197).
    
  • Validation of genomic prediction for economic traits in heifers across five U.S. dairy breeds-(Abstract Only)
    Toghiani, S., Van Raden, P.M., Null, D.J., Miles, A.M., Van Tassell, C.P. 2024. Validation of genomic prediction for economic traits in heifers across five U.S. dairy breeds [abstract]. Journal of Dairy Science. 107(Suppl. 1):129(abstr. 1513).
    
  • Association of individual cow milk fatty acids and milk performance-(Abstract Only)
    Caputo, M.J., Miles, A.M., Mattison, J., Wu, X., Baldwin, R.L., Burchard, J., Durr, J. 2024. Association of individual cow milk fatty acids and milk performance [abstract]. Journal of Dairy Science. 107(Suppl. 1):428(abstr. 2706).
    
  • The value of a national evaluation system in promoting dairy sustainability-(Abstract Only)
    Miles, A.M., Parker Gaddis, K.L., Fourdraine, R.H. 2024. The value of a national evaluation system in promoting dairy sustainability [abstract]. Journal of Dairy Science. 107(Suppl. 1):70(abstr. 1312).
    
  • Alterations of rumen and fecal microbiome in growing beef and dairy steers fed rumen protected Capsicum oleoresin -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Bierly, S.A., Van Syoc, E., Westphalen, M.F., Miles, A.M., Gaeta, N.C., Felix, T.L., Hristov, A.N., Ganda, E.K. 2024. Alterations of rumen and fecal microbiome in growing beef and dairy steers fed rumen protected Capsicum oleoresin. Journal of Animal Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae014.
    
  • Updating test-day milk yield factors for use in genetic evaluations and dairy production systems: A comprehensive review -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Wu, X.-L., Wiggans, G.R., Norman, H.D., Caputo, M., Miles, A.M., Van Tassell, C.P., Baldwin, R.L., Sievert, S., Mattison, J., Burchard, J., Durr, J. 2023. Updating test-day milk yield factors for use in genetic evaluations and dairy production systems: A comprehensive review. Frontiers in Genetics. 14:1298114. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2023.1298114.
    
  • System and biological effects on quantitative milking speed phenotypes from inline milk meters-(Proceedings)
    Miles, A.M., Fourdraine, R., Hutchison, J.L., Sievert, S., Gaddis, K., Bewley, J., Eaglen, S., Weiker, J., Durr, J. 2023. System and biological effects on quantitative milking speed phenotypes from inline milk meters. In: Proceedings of the International Committee on Animal Recording (ICAR), May 21-26, 2023, Toledo, Spain. p. 155-159.
    
  • Evaluating fertility in the wake of embryo transfer-(Trade Journal)
    Miles, A.M. 2023. Evaluating fertility in the wake of embryo transfer. Progressive Dairyman. https://www.agproud.com/articles/58397-evaluating-fertility-in-the-wake-of-embryo-transfer.
    
  • Estimating test day milk yields by modeling proportional daily yields: Going beyond linearity -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Wu, X., Wiggans, G.R., Norman, H.D., Enzenauer, H.A., Miles, A.M., Van Tassell, C.P., Baldwin, R.L., Burchard, J., Durr, J. 2023. Estimating test day milk yields by modeling proportional daily yields: Going beyond linearity. Journal of Dairy Science. 106(12):8979-9005. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-23479.
    
  • Characterization of additive, dominance, and runs of homozygosity effects inbreeds of dairy cattle-(Abstract Only)
    Ben Zaabza, H., Neupane, M., Jaafar, M., Srikanth, K., Mckay, S., Miles, A.M., Stranden, I., Huson, H.J., Blackburn, H.D., Van Tassell, C.P. 2023. Characterization of additive, dominance, and runs of homozygosity effects inbreeds of dairy cattle [abstract]. European Association of Animal Production Proceedings. p. 806.
    
  • Effects of different treatment approaches on microbial populations in the vaginal discharge of cows diagnosed with clinical metritis-(Abstract Only)
    Lection, J.M., Van Syoc, E., Miles, A.M., Hamilton, J., Barragan, A., Ganda, E. 2023. Effects of different treatment approaches on microbial populations in the vaginal discharge of cows diagnosed with clinical metritis [abstract]. Penn State 7th Annual Life Sciences Symposium. p. 32.
    
  • Genotype by environment interaction in dairy cattle raised in California and New England-(Abstract Only)
    Santana, B., Miles, A.M., Tiezzi, F., Fragomeni, B. 2023. Genotype by environment interaction in dairy cattle raised in California and New England [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. ASAS-CSAS-WSASAS Meeting, July 16-20, Albuquerque, NM, United States.
    
  • rhAMR: A comprehensive and cost-effective resistome profiling method-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Editorial: Lactation genomics and phenomics in farm animals: Where are we at? -(Other)
    Wu, X.-L., Ding, X., Zaho, Y., Miles, A.M., Brito, L.F., Heringstad, B., Zhao, S., Jiang, Z. 2023. Editorial: Lactation genomics and phenomics in farm animals: Where are we at? Frontiers in Genetics. 14:1173595. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2023.1173595.
    
  • Colostrum microbiome as a predictor of future milk solids production-(Abstract Only)
    Jewell, S.E., Krishnamoorthy, S., Miles, A.M., Huson, H.J. 2023. Colostrum microbiome as a predictor of future milk solids production [abstract]. Journal of Dairy Science. 106(Suppl. 1):406-407(abstr. 1646W).
    
  • Get test-day milk yields right: what have we learned?-(Abstract Only)
    Wu, X., Wiggans, G.R., Norman, H.D., Enzenaur, H.A., Miles, A.M., Van Tassell, C.P., Baldwin, R.L., Sievert, S.J., Mattison, J., Burchard, J., Durr, J. 2023. Get test-day milk yields right: What have we learned? [abstract]. Journal of Dairy Science. 106(Suppl. 1):154(abstr. 2624).
    
  • Does modeling causal relationships improve the accuracy of estimating lactation milk yields? -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Wu, X., Miles, A.M., Van Tassell, C.P., Wiggans, G.R., Norman, H.D., Baldwin, R.L., Burchard, J., Durr, J. 2023. Does modeling causal relationships improve the accuracy of estimating lactation milk yields? Journal of Dairy Science Communications. https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2022-0343.
    
  • Standardizing lactation yields from national data with age-parity-season-region corrections for fair comparisons across individual cows and environments-(Abstract Only)
    Miles, A.M., Van Raden, P.M., Hutchison, J.L., Fok, G.C., Schutz, M.M. 2023. Standardizing lactation yields from national data with age-parity-season-region corrections for fair comparisons across individual cows and environments. Journal of Dairy Science. 106(Suppl. 1):189-190(abstr. 2716).
    
  • Combined effects of milking intervals and frequencies-(Abstract Only)
    Van Raden, P.M., Miles, A.M., Wu, X.L., Noordhoff, D.R. 2023. Combined effects of milking intervals and frequencies [abstract]. Journal of Dairy Science. 106(Suppl. 1):190(abstr. 2717).
    
  • Characterization and localization of within and across breed as indications of inbreeding depression and heterosis-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Improving national fertility evaluations by accounting for the rapid rise of embryo transfer in US dairy cattle -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Miles, A.M., Hutchison, J.L., Van Raden, P.M. 2023. Improving national fertility evaluations by accounting for the rapid rise of embryo transfer in US dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2022-22298.
    
  • Is there a genetic piece to milking speed?-(Trade Journal)
    Miles, A.M. 2022. Is there a genetic piece to milking speed? Hoard's Dairyman. Available: https://hoards.com/article-32922-is-there-a-genetic-piece-to-milking-speed.html?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=221201-132Thursday&utm_content=221201-132Thursday+CID_d7f57b576dfcaa74c3fa648c8b073eda&utm_source=Intel&utm_term=Is%20there%20a%20genetic%20piece%20to%20milking%20speed.
    
  • Characterization and localization within and across breed measures of dominance as observed in inbreeding depression and heterosis-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • The association of hyperketonemia with fecal and rumen microbiota at time of diagnosis in a case-control cohort of early lactation cows -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Miles, A.M., McArt, J.A., Lima, S.F., Neves, R.C., Ganda, E. 2022. The association of hyperketonemia with fecal and rumen microbiota at time of diagnosis in a case-control cohort of early lactation cows. BMC Veterinary Research. 18:411. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-022-03500-4.
    
  • Temporal and spatial dynamics of bacterial and fungal microbiomes in nursery soils post-steaming -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Crandall, S.G., Miles, A.M., Chung, T., Cloutier, M.L., Garcia-Rodriguez, R., Schweigkofler, W., Couradeau, E. 2022. Temporal and spatial dynamics of bacterial and fungal microbiomes in nursery soils post-steaming. PhytoFrontiers. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-07-22-0071-R.
    
  • Considerations in using quantitative measurements of milking speed for genetic evaluations for all dairy breeds in the USA-(Proceedings)
    Miles, A.M., Fourdraine, R.F., Sievert, S., Parker Gaddis, K.L., Bewley, J., Eaglen, S., Weiker, J., Hutchison, J.L., Durr, J. 2022. Considerations in using quantitative measurements of milking speed for genetic evaluations for all dairy breeds in the USA. Interbull Bulletin. 57:48-53.
    
  • An exponential regression model to estimate daily milk yields-(Proceedings)
    Wu, X.-L., Wiggans, G.R., Norman, H.D., Miles, A.M., Van Tassell, C.P., Baldwin, R.L., Burchard, J., Durr, J. 2022. An exponential regression model to estimate daily milk yields. Interbull Bulletin. 57:67-73.
    
  • Daily milk yield correction factors: what are they? -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Wu, X., Wiggans, G.R., Norman, H.D., Miles, A.M., Van Tassell, C.P., Baldwin, R.L., Burchard, J., Durr, J. 2022. Daily milk yield correction factors: what are they? Journal of Dairy Science Communications. https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2022-0230.
    
  • Statistical methods revisited for estimating daily milk yields: how well do they work? -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Wu, X., Wiggans, G.R., Norman, H.D., Miles, A.M., Van Tassell, C.P., Baldwin, R.L., Burchard, J., Durr, J. 2022. Statistical methods revisited for estimating daily milk yields: how well do they work? Frontiers in Genetics. 13:943705. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2022.943705.
    
  • Sustainable dairy breeding: working within the US National Evaluation System -(Abstract Only)
    Miles, A.M. 2022. Sustainable dairy breeding: working within the US National Evaluation System [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 100(Suppl. S3):14(abstr. 25). https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skac247.025.
    
  • Getting milk yield right-(Popular Publication)
    Miles, A.M. 2022. Getting milk yield right. Progressive Dairyman. https://www.progressivedairy.com/topics/management/getting-milk-yield-right.
    
  • Considerations in using quantitative measurements of milking speed for genetic evaluations for all dairy breeds in the USA-(Proceedings)
    Miles, A.M., Fourdraine, R., Sievert, S., Parker Gaddis, K.L., Bewley, J., Eaglen, S., Weiker, J., Hutchison, J.L., Durr, J. 2022. Considerations in using quantitative measurements of milking speed for genetic evaluations for all dairy breeds in the USA. Interbull Bulletin. 57:48-53.
    
  • The increasing popularity of embryo transfer has implications for U.S. dairy cattle fertility evaluations -(Abstract Only)
    Miles, A.M., Hutchison, J.L., Van Raden, P.M. 2022. The increasing popularity of embryo transfer has implications for U.S. dairy cattle fertility evaluations [abstract]. Journal of Dairy Science. 105(Suppl. 1):200(abstr. 1501V).
    
  • Effects of antibiotic versus dextrose treatment on microbial populations in metritic cow vaginal discharge-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Effects of direct-fed microbial inclusion on turkey intestinal resistome-(Abstract Only)
    Kenney, S., Miles, A.M., Erb, L., Boney, J., Ganda, E. 2022. Effects of direct-fed microbial inclusion on turkey intestinal resistome [abstract]. American Society for Microbiology. June 9-13, Washington, D.C., United States.
    
  • The rising popularity of embryo transfer in U.S. dairy cattle and implications for national fertility evaluations-(Proceedings)
    Miles, A.M., Hutchison, J.L., Van Raden, P.M. 2022. The rising popularity of embryo transfer in U.S. dairy cattle and implications for national fertility evaluations. World Congress of Genetics Applied in Livestock Production. https://www.wageningenacademic.com/pb-assets/wagen/WCGALP2022/52_013.pdf.
    
  • Mastering mastitis: how genetics can help & where we go from here-(Proceedings)
    Miles, A.M., Parker Gaddis, K.L. 2022. Mastering mastitis: how genetics can help & where we go from here. National Mastitis Council Meeting Proceedings. p. 33-46.
    
  • Considerations and best practices in animal science 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing microbiome studies -(Review Article)
    Weinroth, M.D., Belk, A.D., Dean, C.J., Noyes, N.R., Dittoe, D.K., Rothrock Jr, M.J., Ricke, S.C., Myer, P.R., Henniger, M.T., Ramirez, G.A., Oakley, B.B., Summers, K.L., Miles, A.M., Ault-Seay, T.B., Yu, Z., Metcalf, J., Wells, J. 2022. Considerations and best practices in animal science 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing microbiome studies. Journal of Animal Science. 100:1018. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skab346.
    
  • Direct phenotyping and principal component analysis of type traits implicate novel QTL in bovine mastitis through genome-wide association -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Miles, A.M., Posbergh, C.J., Huson, H.J. 2021. Direct phenotyping and principal component analysis of type traits implicate novel QTL in bovine mastitis through genome-wide association. Animals. 11(4):1147. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11041147.
    

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