Meet the Alumni

Name: Sara
Major: Animal Science - Meat Animal, Chemistry minor
Year graduated: 2017
Hometown: Mondovi, WI

Sara was an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Animal Welfare Lab for four semesters, from fall 2015 through spring 2017. Here's some of her thoughts about her experience in the Animal Welfare Lab:

Working in the Animal Welfare Lab, I gained valuable research skills that will help me in graduate school and the Lab has introduced me to people that are now some of my closest friends. My experience in the Lab has also introduced me to many opportunities and connections like participating in the Animal Welfare Judging and Assessment (AWJAC) Competition, in which, this year 2016, our team was the high scoring team in the live assessment portion of the competition.

Specifically, I am interested in bovine species and so I worked on a calf disbudding research project in spring 2016. A portion of that project ended up as my McNair Scholars Research Project where I analyzed Cortisol and Substance P, which are a stress related hormone and neurotransmitter, levels from blood collected daily from dairy calves. It was a very large scale research project and it was interesting to see the dynamic of researchers and assistants working together. I also enjoyed when we took our blood samples down to Iowa State University (ISU) PhAST Laboratory where we had the pleasure of learning how radioimmunoassays work to detect the levels of Cortisol and Substance P in the blood. It was a great learning experience and we made good connections at ISU that we otherwise would not have had the opportunity to make. 

Currently, I am applying to multiple graduate schools and I hope to pursue my Master's or Ph.D. in animal welfare and behavior. I would ultimately like to teach at the university level. When I graduate, I will miss the feeling on inclusion, learning, and friendship that I felt while working in the Animal Welfare Lab. Without a doubt, I am not the student or person I am today without being a part of the Animal Welfare Lab.

Name: Andrew
Major: Animal Science - Meat Animal, Chemistry minor
Year graduated: 2016
Hometown: Medford, MN

Andrew was the Animal Welfare Lab Coordinator for two years from May 2014-2016 and is currently a veterinary student at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Here's what he has to say about his time in the Animal Welfare Lab:

During my two years as Lab Coordinator, I was involved in almost every project going on in the Animal Welfare Lab. I got started by leading the project titled "Evaluation of the behavioral differences between physically and immunologically castrated male pigs." As Coordinator of the Animal Welfare Lab I then assisted in the remaining projects in various ways 

My work in the Animal Welfare Lab was a tremendous benefit to my education. It allowed me to apply the things I learned in classes to real life experiences. I was also able to gain hands-on opportunities that I wouldn't have receives in class, such as drawing blood from calves and conducting research projects.

My experiences in the Animal Welfare lab enabled me to better contribute to the discussions we have in Professional Development class on animal handling and euthanasia issues in Veterinary field. The experiences have also helped better prepare me in analyzing research articles. I believe the experiences I had in the Animal Welfare Lab will continue to make an impact on my education in Veterinary School.

It was an honor having Dr. Vogel as a mentor. He taught me so much about animal welfare and has opened so many doors of opportunity for me. One of my best memories was presenting my first research project at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research held in Spokane, Washington. It was also an honor to be one of the few students who got to go speak with Temple Grandin before her presentation in fall 2014. 

After Veterinary School, I plan to work in a mixed animal clinic and hope to start my own practice someday.

Name: Faith Baier
Major: Animal Science - Meat Animal, Companion Animal, Chemistry minor
Year graduated: 2017
Hometown: Durand, WI

Faith worked in the Animal Welfare Lab for several years from September 2014 to May 2017. She started as an Undergraduate Research Assistant and then became the Lab Coordinator in May 2016 which she will hold until her graduation this upcoming spring. Here's what she has to say about her past and current experience in the Animal Welfare Lab:

Being part of the Animal Welfare Lab greatly impacted my education and future. Before taking Dr. Vogel's Intro to Animal Welfare (ANSC 115) course in spring 2014, I was unsure what the topic of animal welfare even was. His courses and my involvement in the lab opened up my eyes to a completely new field that is now becoming my passion.

I have been part of several studies in the Animal Welfare Lab. I assisted with projects focusing on immunological and physical methods of swine castration, caustic paste disbudding of calves paired with meloxicam administration, and the use of thermal imaging on piglets with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS). I led a project involving flooring novelty of piglets during the transition period from nursery to finishing facilities. I've also competed on our UWRF Animal Welfare Judging Team for three years.

I found it very interesting to be a part of the research process in the calf disbudding project. We were able to plan the project, perform data collection, assist with data analysis and then form conclusions.

It was an absolute honor to work with Dr. Vogel and all of my lab colleagues in the Animal Welfare Lab. I have gained close friends, a lifelong passion, and invaluable experiences and connections that have helped me grow and succeed not only as a student, but also as a person.

I plan to attend graduate school to earn my master's and PhD in animal welfare and behavior. Ultimately, I want to become a research scientist and be a part of the team that works with animals to improve the industry for the future.

Name: Megan N.
Major: Animal Science - Meat Animal, Chemistry minor
Year graduated: 2015
Hometown: Theresa, WI

Megan is currently a second year veterinary student at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She participated in the Animal Welfare Lab as an Undergraduate Research Assistant from fall 2014 to spring 2015. She was also an Animal Welfare Intern for Oscar Mayer during the summer 2015. Here's some of her experiences in the Animal Welfare Lab:

Working in the Animal Welfare Lab at UWRF changed how I approached my coursework, along with the clients and patients I interacted with in local veterinary clinics. I gained a better understanding of animal behavior, asked more involved questions, and became much more comfortable finding research publications on topics that interested me. It also gave me experience collaborating with classmates in such tasks like evaluating footage, writing an abstract, creating a poster presentation, and communicating our research findings at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research. During my time in the Animal Welfare Lab, I researched the behavioral differences between physically and immunologically castrated male pigs.

I think I use the skills I learned in the UWRF Animal Welfare Lab every day in veterinary school. It changed the way I approach problems and filter through all of the presented information. My interest in research and animal welfare has continued at Iowa State, where I work as a Research Assistant in their Animal Welfare Lab. Also, during the summer between my first and second year of veterinary school, I interned with the Swine Medicine Education Center where I worked on several field-based research projects. Within these settings, I have used my experience at UWRF to assist in evaluating video footage, abstract writing and preparing research presentations.

I am thankful for my time in the Animal Welfare Lab. It provided me with many opportunities and opened my eyes to many career options. Dr. Vogel went above and beyond as a professor and mentor. He truly is one of the best at UWRF.

After veterinary school I plan to be a food animal veterinarian and am interested in pursuing a master's degree or PhD.