The Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln held its annual Arthaud Graduate Student Oral Presentation Competition on Friday, October 24.
Graduate students from the department had three minutes to present one slide outlining their research project and its impact. The 18 participants, divided into Ph.D., and M.S., divisions, were competing for the prize of travel awards from the Vincent and Catherine Arthaud Memorial Fund. The fund was established in 1982 following the passing of Arthaud, a professor emeritus in animal science. During his career in the department, Arthaud served as research farm manager, teacher, judging team coach, researcher and business manager.
The winner of the Ph.D. level competition was Melanie White (Physiology) for her presentation on her project titled, "Targeting heat stress-induced inflammation improves growth and body composition of finishing lambs." Shelley Curry (Physiology) and Tiffany Hegdahl (Breeding and Genetics) finished in second and third place, respectively.
In the M.S. level competition, Pedro Simeone (Ruminant Nutrition) was the winner for his presentation on his project titled, "Effect of Residual Methane Production on Growth, Feed Intake, Feed Efficiency, Body Composition, and Gas Exchange in Growing Beef Heifers." Tate Johnson (Ruminant Nutrition) and Lauryn Smidt (Ruminant Nutrition) finished in second and third place, respectively.
White and Simeone will represent the department in the oral presentation competition during the American Society of Animal Science midwest meetings March 8-11 in Omaha, Neb.
The competition was judged by Tom Burkey, interim CASNR dean, Hector Santiago, assistant dean and assistant director of Nebraska's Agricultural Research Division, Jessica Sperber, assistant professor and extension feedlot specialist, and Cara Pesek, director of IANR communications and interim chief communication officer for the University of Nebraska System.
