Welcome to the Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory!
We are pleased to welcome our newest hires:
Sophia Abbott, B.S.
Dr. Kristen Brady
Dr. Cary Davies
Diane Hildenberger, M.S.
Dr. Kouassi Kpodo
Dr. Kayla Mills
Julie A. Long, PhD
Research Leader and Poultry Research Physiologist
Research Expertise: Reproductive biology; poultry production; gamete function; fertility;
embryonic development
Cary Pirone Davies, PhD
Research Biologist (Computational)
Research Expertise: Analysis of multi-omic data including genomic, transcriptomic,
metagenomic, and proteomic datasets. Analytical chemistry.
Kristen Brady, PhD
Research Physiologist
Background: Cellular, molecular, and bioinformatic approaches to target improving female
egg production and fertility in chicken and turkey hens.
Kouassi, R. Kpodo, PhD
Research Physiologist (Poultry)
Kayla Mills, PhD
Swine Research Physiologist
Background: Swine reproductive physiology; swine production; proteomic and lipidomic
tools; fertility prediction using omics, statistical modeling, and bioinformatic tools.
Mission
The mission of the Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory (ABBL) is to develop the knowledge and technology to improve genetic and reproductive traits, nutrient utilization and disease resistance in livestock and poultry to enhance growth, product quality and maintain superior genetics for economic gain. To accomplish this, we: study genes responsible for the uptake/utilization of nutrients and the impact of environment; identify innate immunity mechanisms in animals and host-pathogen interactions to develop strategies that enhance innate immunity; develop novel alternative antimicrobials to mitigate the use of classical antibiotics; refine nuclear cloning and genome modification technologies to enhance genetic potential; elucidate physiological processes regulating efficient prenatal and post-hatch development and survival; improve semen cryobiology and storage techniques and develop alternative strategies for germplasm preservation.