Hulbert, Lindsey
Associate Professor/Animal Behavior
127 Call Hall
785-477-2904 (cell) 785-532-0938 (office)
lhulbert@ksu.edu
Area(s) of Specialization
Behavior, Comparative stress physiology, Immunology, Data and Technology
Education and Training
B.S., Texas Tech University, 2005
M.S., Texas Tech University, 2006
Ph.D., Texas Tech University, 2010
Post Doctoral Scholar, University of California, Davis 2012
Area(s) of Specialization
Animal Behavior, Stress Physiology, Immunology, and Precision Technology
Teaching:
- ASI 655 Behavior of Domestic Animals (in person and online)
- ASI 825 Stress Physiology
- ASI 840 Techniques in Domestic Animal Behavior
Program Overview:
Dr. Lindsey Hulbert leads an agrimedical research program and is a partner in 1Data, a platform connecting human and animal health researchers. Her work focuses on animal behavior, stress physiology, neuroimmune function, and precision technology, generating models and data that improve livestock health, welfare, and productivity while supporting translational research.
Behavioral Biomarkers, Stress Physiology, and Neuroinflammation
Dr. Hulbert develops behavioral biomarkers that track stress, immune activation, and neuroinflammation in livestock, especially pigs. Her research examines responses to housing, social interactions, handling, transportation, environment, and metabolic stress, identifying early indicators of animals at risk. These insights help producers implement management strategies that enhance welfare, resilience, and performance.
She develops behavioral assays for pre-pathological injury or infection and stress in large animal models of neuroinflammation, quantifying early changes in neural function before clinical signs appear. Originally applied in biomedical context, the methods are directly translatable to livestock systems, allowing early detection of stress or welfare risks.
Sorghum for Stress Resilience
Her lab evaluates sorghum products to improve resilience to metabolic, social, and environmental stressors. Using lean and obese pig models, this research assesses behavior, cognition, metabolism, social dynamics, gut microbiota, and neuroimmune markers. AI-integrated testing shows that fermented sorghum tea can modulate weight gain, improve social stability, and reduce neuroinflammation, demonstrating both practical and translational benefits.
Cattle Health, Stress & Immunity
Dr. Hulbert’s work in beef and dairy cattle examines stress and immune responses to handling, transport, space allowance, and nutrition. Findings guide producers on improving welfare, resilience, and productivity in commercial herds.
Precision Livestock Monitoring & Technology
Dr. Hulbert develops and validates AI-based tracking and automated behavioral systems to monitor individual animals continuously, capturing cognition, motivation, and social behavior. Group level temporal-spatial behavior technology includes evaluating, tracking, and repelling birds to protect poultry and livestock from avian disease.
Dr. Hulbert created a novel automated feeder allows animals to learn which feeding paddles deliver a reward in a specific paddle, measuring cognition, memory, feeding competition, and social hierarchy. Metrics are linked to a reformulated 8-radial maze, connecting these novel tests to traditional neurobehavioral assessments.
As a 1Data partner, Dr. Hulbert integrates behavioral, physiological, and immunological data into a shared platform for human and animal health researchers. This collaboration enhances data accessibility, translational impact, and agricultural relevance, ensuring her research benefits both producers and the broader scientific community.