Departmetn of Animal Science
University of Wyoming
Room 101 AS/MB
Department #3684
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2224
Fax: (307) 766-2355
Email: animalscience@uwyo.edu
Olivia is a master’s student under the advisement of Dr. Bledar Bisha. Her research is divided into two modules, with the first involving enumeration and quantification of drug-resistant Salmonella enterica in retail food products using digital PCR (dPCR). The second module will involve the same enumeration and quantification of drug-resistant Salmonella enterica using dPCR. After her work here, she hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences. | Email: ochase@uwyo.edu
Kemsley Gallegos is a master's student working under the advisement of DR. Hannah Hollinger and Dr. Cody Gifford in the Animal Science department. Kemsley is studying the impacts of two common human diets, and its effect on metabolic indicators of gut and cardiometabolic risk in a crossover design using swine. Kemsley was born and raised in laramie, Wyoming. | Email: kgalleg2@uwyo.edu
Jake Gillespie is a masters student working under the advisement of Dr. Cody Gifford and is also the meat judging coach. He is a Texas kid, born and raised in Texas. He graduated from Clarendon college in 2020, then got recruited to attend West Texas A&M as a meat judger. He graduated from West Texas A&M and shortly after was convinced to attend grad school here and coach a team of meat judgers. He loves God, meat judging, his family and basketball. | Email: jgilles6@uwyo.edu
Aaron Kersh is a master's Student in animal science under the direction of Drs. Whit Stewart and Derek Scasta. In his research he is studying the effects of targeted grazing of sheep on larkspur predominated rangelands and changes of trace mineral composition during various plant phenological stages over the grazing season. After his research is done, he hope to continue in range science as a range animal nutritionist. Aaron is from Cheyenne, Wyoming. |Office AS/MB Rm. 401| Email: akersh2@uwyo.edu
Michaela Kuzniar is a masters student working with Dr. Jeremy Block. She is studying the effect of IL-1beta during embryo culture on embryo development following ovum pick-up and pregnancy rates following embryo transfer. After this program she is planning to pursue a PhD in cattle reproductive physiology. Michaela is from Chicago, IL. | Office AS/MB 401 | Email: mkuzniar@uwyo.edu
Dylan Laverell is an M.S. Student under the direction of Dr. Whit Stewart. Dylan master’s project will look at defining Calcium levels in clinical and sub-clinical ewes. Dylan finds fulfillment working in the sheep industry as he meets producers that work to produce sustainable food and fiber. He is from Big Timber, MT. | Email: dlaverel@uwyo.edu
Chase Markel is a PhD student working with Dr. Cody Gifford and Dr. Hannah Cunningham-Hollinger in the Department of Animal Science. Chase is studying hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in beef cattle and the impact of this pathology on economically important traits related to growth performance and meat quality. He hopes that his research will lead to advancements in the fed cattle sector, where he eventually would like to establish a consulting career. Chase strives to contribute to the beef industry by demonstrating the importance of data management and physiology in making educated management decisions to increase efficiency and sustainability. | Office AS/MS 403| Email: cmarkel1@uwyo.edu
Mack Myer is a master’s student working under the advisement of Dr. Dittoe. Mack is studying meat microbiology as well as ways to improve food safety in pre and post-harvest processes. She completed her bachelor’s degree in animal science at CSU. Mack is looking forward to continuing her education in this field. | Email: mmyer2@uwyo.edu
Sarah Retherford is a second year masters student under the direction of Jeremy Block. Sarah's project look at improving reproductive efficiency in cattle through understanding the role of the seminal plasma microbiome on sperm viability, function, and fertility. After her program is done she hopes to continue in academia or work in the industry. | Office 401 | Email: sretherf@uwyo.edu
Aniket Sharma is a graduate student from India. Microbiologist by background, he is
currently working in understanding the antimicrobial resistance trend for bunch of
different food-borne pathogens like Campylobacter, Salmonella under the mentorship
of Dr. Bledar Bisha. When not in lab he likes to watch movies. Upon completion of
his degree, he aims to move in the industrial sector to apply his research in making
healthy what we eat! Fun fact: He is a vegetarian scientist working with meat samples!
| Email: asharma7@uwyo.edu
Dania Sinzu is a Master’s student working in Dr. James Pru’s lab. Her research is on the role of casein kinase 1 delta and epsilon, an important proliferation regulator, on female reproductive tract and fertility. After her program is finished, she hopes to continue working in reproductive research. Dania is from Jackson, Wy. | Email: dsinzupr@uwyo.edu
Nikhil Srivastava is a PhD student in the Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Program, in Dr James Pru's lab. He is working to understand the complex molecular interactions taking place during pregnancy in mouse. He is from India and is a strong supporter of cultural diversity in the department. He is also a poet and writes regularly on various platforms. | Email: nsrivast@uwyo.edu
Anahita Tajani is a PhD student and her advisor is Dr. Bledar Bisha. She is working on antimicrobial resistance of some bacteria, such as E.coli and Salmonella, in retail meat. After her program is finished she would like to pursue her research in industry, especially in food safety. Anahita is from Iran. | Office AS/ MB Rm. 401|Email: aghorban@uwyo.edu
Departmetn of Animal Science
University of Wyoming
Room 101 AS/MB
Department #3684
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2224
Fax: (307) 766-2355
Email: animalscience@uwyo.edu
