Five students were awarded scholarships based on a combination of their scientific abstract, poster and presentation of data at this year’s Kansas State University Animal Sciences and Industry Undergraduate Research Symposium, held virtually on Dec. 8.

A total of 33 undergraduate students presented their research at the symposium, which highlighted ASI undergraduate research for the fall 2020 semester.  

Winning this semester’s scholarships were;

Bowman, a junior in the production and management option, presented “Effects of a Lactobacillus and Bacillus probiotic on pre-ruminating calf growth performance and efficiency.” This was a course-based research project taught by Dr. Cassie Jones and co-mentored by Dr. Sara Gragg and Dr. A.J. Tarpoff. 

Marchek, a junior in the pre-veterinary and science option, presented “Effects of Bacillus and Lactobacillus species in milk replacer on health and growth performance of pre-ruminant calves through weaning.” This was part of the course-based research project taught by Jones and co-mentored by Gragg and Tarpoff. 

McDonald, a sophomore in the pre-veterinary and science option, presented “Effects of feeding dried distillers grains plus solubles on goat meat shelf life and fatty acid composition.” This was part of the course-based research project taught and mentored by Dr. Michael Chao. 

Noland, a sophomore in the bioscience and biotechnology option, presented “Association of respiration rate with adaptability/performance in mixed cattle.” This was an independent research project mentored by Dr. Megan Rolf.  

White, a senior in the pre-veterinary and science option, presented “The effect of high-amylase hybrid in feedlot cattle diets on ruminal fermentation of starch.” This was an independent research project mentored by Dr. Jim Drouillard.

This year’s symposium and the awards distributed following the event were sponsored by the Dr. Mark and Kim Young Undergraduate Research Fund in Animal Sciences and Industry. 

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 student mentors 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 students understand how to value that data during the decision-making process and will help make them more successful animal scientists.

Undergraduates interested in learning more about the ASI research program, or those interested in sponsoring the program, can contact Jones, coordinator of undergraduate research, at 785-532-5289 or [email protected]. 

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