Animal Science has four key areas of research, Animal Health and Well-Being, Genetics and Genomics, Nutrition Physiology and Reproductive Physiology. Today we are highlighting a lab in the Reproductive Physiology area. Dan Mathew, Assistant Professor, specializing in Reproductive Physiology will share his lab with us.
Questions
What kind of work does your research group conduct?
The goal of our research is to develop or better technologies that improve fertility in livestock and other animals. Most reproductive failure occurs in the first month of gestation, especially for embryos produced by in vitro methods, and there’s a lot we don’t know about the biology surrounding early pregnancy. Our current research investigates the impact of in vitro fertilization (IVF) on subsequent embryo development and survival in cattle and tests methods to improve IVF embryo development. We also study the fundamental biology surrounding early pregnancy in livestock so we can better understand causes of infertility.
What led you to your research?
This is a difficult question to answer because I feel like so many experiences, mentors and colleagues have led me to this specific area of research. If I could put my finger on one thing, it might be my experiences as a child that lead to my love for animals and developmental biology. As a farm kid growing up in northern Indiana, I spent a lot of time outside playing on the farm. There were always baby piglets and feral kittens in the barn and tadpoles in our driveway puddles. I believe these experiences, coupled with my passion for helping others and guidance from my research mentors, led me to where I am today.
Where do you see your field in 10 years?
Given the projected impact of climate change and exponential world population growth, I believe the field of reproductive biology will be faced with new, yet somewhat familiar challenges related to infertility in livestock and other animals. Climate change will influence how we grow crops needed to feed livestock and will increase animal stress related to comfort and disease, which greatly influence animal fertility. Our next generation of students and researchers have a great challenge ahead of them, but I’m confident they’ll be ready!
Who are your lab members?
Graduate Researchers
Katie Peterson
Kirsten Senn
Research Associate
Emma Horn
Undergraduate Researchers
Adella Lonas
Malone Young
Jesus Guevara Hernandez
Taryn Harris,
Destini Thomas,
Taylor Cash
Ellie Lewis.
