Education

NIH/USDA Post-doctoral Fellowship, Physiology, The University of Arizona, 2010-2014
Ph.D., Reproductive Physiology, New Mexico State University, 2009
M.S., Animal Science, Angelo State University, 2006
B.S., Animal Science, Texas A&M University, 2004

Teaching

ASCI 243: Fundamental Animal Anatomy Laboratory
Summary: Anatomical organization of the nervous, muscle, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, and immune systems and its role in physiological function and health. Offers hands-on learning experiences through dissections, clinical demonstrations, and interactive multimedia.

ASCI 340: Animal Physiological Systems
Summary: A comprehensive look at the major physiological systems that comprise the mammalian body. Anatomical organization and functionality of the nervous system, muscle, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, reproductive system, endocrine system, and immune system.

Research

Our research focuses on the impact of stress on mammalian animals, including livestock. Our primary research stream is the effect of maternofetal stress on fetal programming of muscle growth, metabolic function, and well-being. Although we used sheep as a model species, developmental programming work is broadly applicable to livestock, humans, and even wildlife. We also study the effects of acute and chronic heat stress on welfare and production outcomes in finishing cattle and lambs, which are particularly susceptible to environmental heat events.

Selected Publications

• Beer HN, Lacey TA, Gibbs RL, Most MS, Hicks ZH, Grijalva PC, Marks-Nelson ES, Schmidt TB, Petersen JL, Yates DT. 2024. Daily eicosapentaenoic acid infusion in IUGR fetal lambs reduced sys-temic inflammation, increased muscle ADRβ2 content, and improved myoblast function and muscle growth. Metabolites. 14(6):340. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14060340
• Gibbs RL, Wilson JA, Swanson RM, Beard JK, Hicks ZM, Beer HN, Marks-Nelson ES, Schmidt TB, Petersen JL, Yates DT. 2024. Daily injection of the β2 adrenergic agonist clenbuterol improved muscle glucose metabolism, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and hyperlipidemia in juvenile lambs following heat-stress induced intrauterine growth restriction. Metabolites 14:156. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14030156.
• Beer HN, Yates DT, Shrader TC, Schmidt TB. 2024. Continuous video monitoring of zoo cheetahs demonstrates differential engagement patterns for six different types of environmental enrichment. J. Zool. Botan. Gard. https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg5030035.
• Clement SM, Ubben TA, Yates DT. 2024. Cadaveric prosections by qualified staff were more efficient and effective teaching modalities for veterinary gross anatomy than in-class dissections by students. J. Vet. Med. Educ. https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme-2024-0031.
• Gibbs RL, Swanson RM, Beard JK, Hicks ZM, Most MS, Beer HN, Grijalva PC, Clement SM, Marks-Nelson ES, Schmidt TB, Petersen JL, Yates DT. 2023. Daily injection of the β2 adrenergic agonist clenbuterol improved poor muscle growth and body composition in lambs following heat stress-induced intrauterine growth restriction. Front. Physiol. 14:1252508. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1252508.
• Beer HB, Shrader TC, Karr LK, Yates DT. 2023. Allostatic load index effectively measures chronic stress status in zoo-housed giraffes. J. Zool. Botanical Gardens 4:623-636. https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4030044.