Every year, the UTK Graduate Student Senate (GSS) grants a range of awards to recognize outstanding achievements among graduate students, faculty, staff, graduate student organizations, and senators. This year, members of the Department of Animal Science received multiple awards from the GSS.
Kinsley Frady, Masters Candidate and Animal Science Graduate Student Association President, has received the Excellence in Graduate Research and Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching from the Graduate Student Senate. She is working on multiple projects (Effect of an Aspergillus oryzae-derived postbiotic additive on rumen nitrogen metabolism and amino acid availability in dairy heifers; Using machine learning to optimize individualized feeding, increase production and profit, and minimize environmental impacts of dairy farmers; and Strategic use of machine learning to develop precision feeding and reduce the environmental footprint of the US dairy industry) while also assisting on Animal Science class Comparative Animal Nutrition. Kinsley’s mentor is Dr. Agustin Rius.
Madison Henniger, PhD Candidate, received the Excellence in Graduate Research Award from the Graduate Student Senate. Madison states her research “focuses on determining the genomic components that impact the rumen microbiome and feed efficiency in beef cattle.” Madison’s mentor is Dr. Phil Myer.
Reshma Nair, PhD Candidate, received the Excellence in Graduate Research from the Graduate Student Senate Award. “This award is given to graduate and professional students who have received recognition in their field and show promise in their area of research and/or creative achievement” states Nair. She received this award for her PhD research in “heat stress and dairy cattle production, under the guidance of Dr. Agustin Rius.”
Katie Peterson, PhD Candidate, received the Graduate Student Senate Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching. She is assists with teaching Animal Science Anatomy and Physiology. Her mentor is Dr. Daniel Mathew.
Tanner Thornton, MS Candidate, has received the Excellence in Community Engagement Award from the Graduate Student Senate. He received the award for his work “with industry stakeholders, producers and students in my research and as president of Poultry Science Club. In addition to education activities promoting poultry with young students in the state.” His mentor is Dr. Yang Zhao.
Erin Van Berkel, PhD Candidate, received the Excellence in Graduate Research Award. Erin’s research “focuses on generating a pig model for the disease GM3 Synthase Deficiency, using the CRISPR/Cas9 system.” Erin’s mentor is Dr. Jon Beever.
Dr. Phil Myer has been awarded the Outstanding Graduate Research Mentor Award from the Graduate Student Senate. Focusing on rumen microbiology, Dr. Myer mentors several students along with teaching and research.
Animal Science Graduate Students and Faculty at the 2024 GSS Awards Brunch
