ASI Students Participate in Undergraduate Research Symposium

Spring 2021 undergrad research MANHATTAN, Kan. – A total of 57 undergraduate students presented research posters during the Kansas State University Animal Sciences and Industry Undergraduate Research Symposium on Tuesday, May 11. The symposium, hosted in Weber Arena and Atrium on the K-State campus, highlighted ASI undergraduate research for the spring 2021 semester.

The Dr. Mark and Kim Young Undergraduate Research Fund in Animal Sciences and Industry sponsored this year’s symposium and the Undergraduate Research Awards distributed following the event.

21 Undergrad Research Winners Six students were awarded $1,000 scholarships based on a combination of their scientific abstract, poster and presentation of data. Winning the scholarships were: Jasmin Choate, junior from Maize, Kansas; Kate Lewis, freshman from Overland Park, Kansas; Trace Mulligan, senior from Scott City, Kansas; Trinity Pfaff, sophomore from Goddard, Kansas; Christy Vavra, senior from Wichita, Kansas; and Kathleen Wardman, senior from Winfield, Kansas.

Undergraduate research is an opportunity to perform in-depth study, gain transferable skills, develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, define academic and professional interests, and form relationships with mentors, professors, and other students. The program gives students the opportunity to work with ASI faculty and graduate students on a project that is rewarding and helps them prepare for their next goals.

Undergraduate research helps students understand the value and constraints of data. Whether they go on to graduate school, return to the ranch, or venture into industry, these students will use data every day to make decisions. An undergraduate research experience helps them understand how to value that data during the decision-making process and will help make them more successful animal scientists.

Summary of the students’ projects and mentors:

● Aidan Cairns – Scale-Up of Japanese Curry Buns for K-State Dining Services – Dr. Kelly Getty and Kelly Whitehair

● Paige Dameron – Identification of SNPs associated with cancer eye in Hereford cattle – Dr. Megan Rolf

● Brad Hill – Proportion of cows that conceived to AI when exposed to a clean-up bull during the same estrus – Dr. David Greiger

● Chance Kopsa – Using Environmental Variables to Predict Regional and Seasonal Differences in Forage Net Energy Estimates – Drew Lakamp

● Ryan Martin – Development and Scale-up of Peanut Butter Apple Muffin – Dr. Kelly Getty

● Rylie Noland – The Biological Basis of Environmental Sensitivity to THI – Dr. Megan Rolf

● Christy Vavra – Development and Scale-Up of the Gluten-Free Savory Breakfast Waffle Sandwich for K-State Dining Services – Dr. Kelly Getty

● Emily Verrill – Using an ELISA methodology to evaluate elastin content in beef shank and understanding elastin contents effect on beef shank tenderness – Dr. Michael Chao

In the undergraduate research swine course (ASI 560-C), students studied the effects of feeding formic acid and glycerol monolaurate alone or in combination on the growth performance, fecal dry matter, fecal microbiota, and immune function of nursery pigs. Students met twice weekly to conduct research. Topics included obtaining, training and approvals in the use of animals for research developing the project hypothesis, experimental design and research protocol, collecting data, analyzing and interpreting data and presenting date in written and oral form for various audiences. This project was mentored by Dr. Cassie Jones. Researchers were: Kacey Allen, Carley Azevedo, Jessica Burger, Grace Connell, Bre Elliott, Lindsey Fankhauser, Grant Fincham, Healy Funderburg, Jaclyn Heinrich, Morgan Key, Kate Lewis, Ashley McLoughlin, Jasmine Morey, Trace Mulligan, Trinity Pfaff, Hannah Seymore, Jessica Smallfield, Amanda Stock, Julianna Tims an Kathleen Wardman.

In the undergraduate research in sheep course (ASI 560-B), students studied the effects of sorghum grain as a replacement for corn on lamb growth performance and economics. Students met twice weekly to conduct research. Topics included obtaining, training and approvals in the use of animals for research developing the project hypothesis, experimental design and research protocol, collecting data, analyzing and interpreting data and presenting date in written and oral form for various audiences. This project was mentored by Dr. Cassie Jones. Researchers were: Madison Andrade, Marisa Avila, Ian Batey, Mackenzie Birney, Alicia Bohren, Kate Cassida, Jasmin Choate, Ashley Conner, Mayra Damian, Tara Ellenz, Reaghan Engel, Reagan Fischer, Elizabeth Fisher, Sara Hene, Abigail Huber, Q Kelly, Ally Leslie, Maddie Mancke, Brianna Moore, Grace Neal, Brooks Nichols, Tiffany Oberdorf, Becca Paine, Breanna Park, Lola Plum, Hannah Spriggs, Ryan Starkey, Halle Tophoj, Jasmine Trickel and Melanie White.

Congrats to the following students for presenting in the undergraduate research competition sessions at the 2021 Midwest ASAS Meeting.

· Sydney Bowman

· Zach Buessing

· Rachel Kort

· Katie Malone

· Kenzie McAtee

· Macie Reeb

· Cierra Roubicek- 1st Place Undergraduate Research Competition

· Garrett Seltzer

The following students for completing the K-State Developing Scholars Program:

· Leslie Armendariz

· Camille Bradshaw

· McKenzie Stevens

· Sarah Weekes – Diligence Award Winner

The following students for being selected at Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award Winners by Gamma Sigma Delta:

· Sydney Bowman – 1st Place

· Zach Buessing – 3rd Place (Tie)

· Garrett Seltzer – 3rd Place (Tie)

Congrats to Payton Dahmer, graduate student responsible for the swine course-based research project, for being selected as the Gamma Sigma Delta Outstanding M.S. Teaching Award Winner.

Undergraduates interested in learning more about the ASI research program, or those interested in sponsoring the program, can contact Dr. Cassie Jones, Coordinator of Undergraduate Research, at 785-532-5289 or jonesc@ksu.edu.

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The Kansas State University Animal Sciences and Industry department serves students, livestock producers and the animal and food industries through teaching, research and education. The K-State ASI department prepares students for careers in the animal and food industries. The curriculum includes the study of nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, meat science, food science with production, management, and agribusiness skills.