The American Society of Animal Science and American Dairy Science Association presented awards to several Kansas State University current and former faculty, undergraduate and graduate students during its Midwest meeting in Omaha, Neb., March 11-13.

The top honor went to Cassie Jones, K-State Animal Science and Industry associate professor. Jones was given the Outstanding Young Teacher Award, which recognizes young educators who have demonstrated an ability to motivate and stimulate students while showing a genuine interest in the improvement of teaching.

Recipients of the Outstanding Young Teacher Award are reviewed based on their diversity of involvement within the university, their extracurricular activities beyond normal teaching activities, and their service to agriculture and related industries.

Jones earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from K-State, and her doctorate in swine nutrition from Iowa State University. She coordinates the undergraduate research program, and since acquiring that leadership responsibility the program has grown from about 20 students annually conducting research to more than 130 today.

In addition, she is an engaging instructor teaching the sophomore-level Fundamentals of Nutrition and graduate-level Monogastric Nutrition courses. She also advises more than 60 undergraduate students and serves as adviser for the K-State Swine Club.

Outside of teaching, Jones is an accomplished researcher with 42 peer-reviewed publications, more than 100 abstracts, and more than $6 million in awarded grants, gifts and contracts. Jones and her husband, Spencer, raise Angus cattle near Wamego and have three young children: Ty, Hayden and Hadley.

“The work Dr. Jones has done with her undergraduate research program has helped established students’ interest in research and has connected many to future careers,” says Joel DeRouchey, ASI professor and state extension leader. “The credibility and respect she has established here and among other universities certainly qualify her for this award.”

Thirteen undergraduates attended the event in Omaha, with eight presenting research. Several current and former Kansas State University Animal Sciences and Industry faculty, undergraduate students and graduate students received awards.

Brianna Salgado, KSU ASI senior, was awarded first place in the undergraduate poster competition where she demonstrated her research project titled, “Development of Local Kansas E. Coli UTI Antibiograms to Improve Antimicrobial Stewardship in Companion Animal Medicine.”

Annie Lerner, KSU ASI graduate student, placed third in the Ph.D. oral competition. Henrique Cemin, KSU ASI graduate student, was recognized as an Animal Science Young Scholar. Caroline Ylioja, KSU ASI graduate student, was recognized as a Young Dairy Scholar.

Three K-State ASI alumni were recognized at the meeting as well.

Brandon Depenbusch was awarded the Outstanding Early Career Agribusiness Award, which recognizes those who have demonstrated significant effect on the products or services marketed by their employer, along with demonstrating leadership relative to scientific matters in the animal science industry beyond their employer.

Alan Duttlinger, who received his master’s at K-State, was awarded the Dr. Tim S. Stahly Outstanding Swine Nutrition Midwest Graduate Student Award, which highlights the achievement of an outstanding swine nutrition graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding research, extension and teaching efforts in the area of swine nutrition.

Clinton Krehbiel was selected to serve as Midwest ASAS president-elect.

The Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry 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 and food science with production, management and agribusiness skills.

To learn more about the K-State’s ASI department, visit asi.ksu.edu.

Source: Kansas State University News Service, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.