Ph.D., Antioch University, 2024, Antioch New England: Environmental Studies

Climate change presents an unprecedented challenge to global agriculture and food security. Small farms are especially vulnerable to the local impacts of large-scale drivers of change. Effective adaptation in agriculture requires working across scales, and geographic, political, and disciplinary boundaries to address barriers. I use elements of case study, agent-based modeling and serious games, to design a model of farmer decision-making using the sociocognitive framework of climate change adaptation. I examine how adaptation functions as a process, how complex dynamics influence farmer behavior, and how individual decisions influence collective behavior in response to climate change. This novel approach to adaptation research in agriculture examines the relationships between the contextual, compositional, and cognitive elements of the sociocognitive theory. The tools developed for this research have broad practical and theoretical future applications in climate adaptation research and policymaking. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2024, Animal Sciences

When providing cattle feed, a total mixed ration (TMR) is recommended compared with traditional component feeding. Feeding of mixed rations improves production by reducing feed sorting or selective eating, feed intake, waste, and costs, manual labor, and metabolic diseases. However, production of mixed rations requires a specialized mixer that can be expensive and requires staff training and regular maintenance. Some forages also require prior processing before addition to a TMR mixer. When all aspects are considered, providing TMR to cattle in small farming enterprises is difficult. In Ohio, most farms (about 53%) consist of less than 50 head of cattle being finished for marketing. Therefore, the cost of feed wastage may be less compared with the costs of implementation of a TMR system of feed management. The objective of the research reported in this thesis was to determine if farms with a component feeding system can produce cattle with similar growth rates and beef of a similar carcass quality as those with a TMR system of feed management. I hypothesized that there would be no detectable difference between enterprises having a TMR as compared with a component-feeding system for finishing cattle to market if we maintained diet composition ratios and with slick bunk management. Angus-Simmental cattle (n = 59) were provided feed utilizing either a: 1. TMR feeding system(n = 29) (TMRS) or 2. Component-fed system (n = 30) (CFS) for feed management. Cattle were penned individually and had access to individual feed bunks where the feed processed the two different ways was placed once daily. The feed bunk for cattle in the CFS treatment had a wooden plank bolted to the original bunk that bisected the bunk and created two smaller, equivalent bunk spaces. For both treatments, slick bunk management was implemented that required animals to eat all the feed in both bunks before the amount of feed offered the following day would occur. Prior to slaughter, steers were weighe (open full item for complete abstract)

PHD, Kent State University, 2023, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of History

Based on a critical reading of colonial archives and extensive use of oral sources, this dissertation argues that indigenous custodians of the landscape in semi-arid regions of the Zimbabwean Lowveld have a longstanding experience of harnessing their environmental literacy and detailed knowledge of nature to combat climate change. Starting with colonial encounters and contested boundaries of knowledge in Southern Rhodesia (present day Zimbabwe) since the early twentieth century, I demonstrate that oral traditions survived the onslaught of colonialism and offered new generations ways of responding to climate change. I use empirical examples to demonstrate that indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) have been obscured under the veneer of colonial historiography, hence, the importance of recovering African cultural achievements and indigenous agency to the historical record. This dissertation examines the adoption of various coping strategies and sustainable agricultural practices initiated by indigenous people to promote climate smart agriculture and identifies the factors that influence adoption of certain adaptive practices. Water has been a central and defining factor of Africa's development trajectory. A growing body of literature has demonstrated that agricultural yields have been declining in developing countries, including Zimbabwe, due to the impacts of climate change. Indigenous experiences, conceptions and perceptions have played a vital role in the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. Indigenous farmers are at peace with modernity and modernization, but in the absence of modern technologies and state support, they have been going back to traditional forms of development. The interrelated objectives of climate change mitigation, adaptation and food security were simultaneously sustained through the hybrid integration of indigenous and modern farming practices in agricultural production and sustainable development planning. Indigenous knowledge sys (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2022, Comparative Biomedical Sciences

Coxofemoral luxation in cattle is a common cause of severe lameness or inability to rise referred to the hip and results in decreased growth, production, and long-term survival of the animal. Numerous techniques have been utilized to stabilize the coxofemoral joint after luxation but are often ineffective due to chronicity of the injury or are not biomechanically strong enough to resist normal biomechanical forces acting on the coxofemoral joint of mature cattle. The aim of this study was to develop a toggle-pin implant to achieve coxofemoral stabilization in mature cattle. Ultimate tensile strength and elongation at failure was measured on the bovine ligament of the head of the femur to determine if the optimum implant had comparable biomechanical properties. 316 Stainless-steel cable and nylon leader line (800 Ib test) were used to create the flexible ligament portion of the implant and this was attached to a custom 316 stainless-steel pin and toggle. These configurations were distracted to failure to compare their biomechanical properties with the ligament of the head of the femur. Additionally, cadaver specimens of eight adult bovine femurs and two coxofemoral joints of calves were evaluated to determine the ideal placement of a prosthetic without significant dissection. The Stainless-steel and nylon prosthetics tested in this study were not biomechanically similar to the native ligament of the head of the femur and thus, not optimal for coxofemoral joint stabilization post luxation. Ideal placement of a prosthetic is distal to the greater trochanter with the hindlimb in slight adduction.

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2021, Antioch New England: Environmental Studies

Indigenous West African farmers are among the most climate change threatened globally. Food insecurity is prevalent in West Africa because ecological, social, political, and economic instabilities, and globalization worsen climate pressures. In this study, I collaborated with the community of Bikotiba (bih-CO-ti-buh), Togo, to understand their household agricultural food access, one aspect of resilience to food insecurity. I adopted a feminist approach of reflexivity, radical vulnerability, and radical empathy, combined with decolonizing principles, to argue that there could be an ethical way for well-trained Western researchers to engage Indigenous communities, if negotiated carefully. Together, Indigenous Research Assistants and I developed and conducted semi-structured interviews in the local language, Bassari, with 56% of the heads of households in Bikotiba, and led community meetings with the demographics of men, women, and students. We learned that maize production in Bikotiba is threatened by climatic, political, and environmental changes, making maize subsistence a glaring leverage point in the community's food security, in addition to the social-political-economic and human rights injustices keeping rural farmers impoverished in Togo. This study demonstrates the cross-cultural possibilities to advance food systems research with Indigenous communities if Western scholars foster feminist decolonizing principles. This research is only possible if supported by communities like Bikotiba, and this study provides compelling insights on the possibilities when communities support research.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2021, Rural Sociology

This research focuses on Amish and Plain farmers for several reasons. First, Amish, and Plain people are a substantial portion of the farmers in the Wayne County area. They represent 20.4% of the farmers in Wayne County and 53.7% of the farmers in neighboring Holmes County. Second, Amish and Plain farmers are likely to be a growing portion of the farming population in this multi-county area with the Amish population doubling every 21.25 years (Donnermeyer 2015), they are more likely to be younger. They are more likely to say they would encourage their children to become farmers, and less likely to say that their children cannot afford to take over their farm. Third, Amish and Plain farmers represent a large portion of the mid-sized farms in the Wayne County area. Fourth, Amish and Plain farmers have been underrepresented in government decision-making and policy creation historically (Brock, Ulrich-Schad, and Prokopy 2018). Fifth, Amish and Plain farmers are more likely to be certified organic and use specialty labels or certifications. For these reasons, Amish and Plain farmers are especially important to economic and community development in the Wayne County area. The first objective of this research is to enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of county food and agricultural planning in Amish and Plain communities. The second objective is to provide perspective for planners, Extension workers, practitioners, and researchers for understanding the Amish and Plain farming community. Select literature about value-added agriculture, Amish and Plain studies, and rural community and economic development are used to provide background and context for this study. This research does four things: 1) Highlights the importance of Amish and Plain farmers to Wayne and Holmes Counties, Ohio. 2) Delineates the differences in production and marketing practices between Amish and non-Amish farmers in Wayne and Holmes County using the 2020 Ohio Farm Poll data. 3) Identifies the wa (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2021, Comparative Veterinary Medicine

Swine production has evolved in recent years into capital intensive and specialized multi-site production systems, requiring greater emphasis on stringent biosecurity protocols and increasing the demand for a quality workforce. Furthermore, the industry faces labor-supply issues and is plagued by high turnover rates, which may impact production and overall animal health. The research objectives here were: (1) to investigate employee turnover in US swine farms and the impact on subsequent productivity and (2) to evaluate technological applications aimed at facilitating internal and external biosecurity monitoring. First, human resources and production data were collected from eleven farms belonging to two production systems in Ohio for 2019. Mixed effects models were fit to investigate the association between employee turnover (voluntary and involuntary) and subsequent monthly productivity (number pigs weaned per sow (PWS) and pre-weaning mortality (PWM)). Results showed high variability in turnover rates among swine farms, ranging from 8-217% for the year, and significant associations between the occurrence of an involuntary turnover event and improved PWS (p = 0.01) and PWM (p = 0.02) two-months later. In another study, an internal movement monitoring system was installed in three farrow-to-wean farms in Indiana (N=2) and Iowa (N=1) to investigate three within-farm movement types of workers thought to be important to internal biosecurity and disease transmission. Mixed effects models were fit to investigate the association between the weekly frequency of these movements and subsequent weekly productivity (PWS). Results indicated decreases in weekly PWS were associated with an increased frequency of worker movements between farrowing rooms the two-weeks prior (p = 0.03). In the final study, a mobile-based geofencing platform was evaluated under field conditions within two swine production systems. For one of the swine production systems (system 1), the accuracy of t (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2020, Animal Sciences

Cull cows represent a significant percentage of the revenue received from the U.S. beef industry, however, cull cows are often heavily price discounted at time of slaughter due to decreased body condition scores, carcass yield and quality and increased yellow fat color as a result of a prolonged high vitamin A diet. This study's objective is to evaluate different feeding strategies and their effects on body condition score, external fat color, carcass yield and quality traits in cull cows. The central hypothesis is feeding a high energy diet, with low levels of Vitamin A, for 56 days will improve animal performance, carcass yield and quality traits in addition to capturing the point (rate) of the conversion of yellow to white external fat. In the present study 86 Angus crossbreed cows, culled from two Ohio State University farms were utilized. Cows were fed either low vitamin A diet (LVA) consisting of whole shelled corn, soybean hulls, soybean meal and a mineral-vitamin supplement or a high vitamin A diet (HVA) diet, formulated using whole shelled corn, fescue hay, DDGS and a mineral-vitamin supplement for 56 days. During the 56 day feeding period, weights, body condition scores, and subcutaneous adipose samples were collected every 14 days. On days 56, cattle were slaughtered; 48 hours postmortem carcass characteristics and objective color scores were recorded and a sample of the longissimus dorsi lumborum was collected. Subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were utilized to record subjective color scores and then ground to be analyzed via HPLC for beta-carotene concentration. The longissimus dorsi lumborum samples were sliced into 2.54cm steaks, one of which was utilized to perform WBSF testing, the other was ground and utilized for pH testing. After results were gathered, data was analyzed via a proc mixed model of SAS. Feeding cull cows a low vitamin A diet resulted in significant differences in external carcass fat color (P = 0.01) as well as objective b* val (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2020, Animal Sciences

Mammary blood flow is central to mammary growth, development, and productivity, but development of the vasculature network is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to determine how the vascular system adapts to mammary growth by inducing different levels of mammary growth and examining two regions of tissue. Holstein heifer calves (n = 12) received 12 daily injections on the days immediately preceding euthanasia at 82 d of age. Treatments were control (CON), short-term estradiol (SHORT), and long-term estradiol (LONG). CON calves received corn oil injections while SHORT calves received 9 injections of corn oil followed by 3 injections of estradiol; LONG calves received 12 estradiol injections. Mammary tissues were collected from the center and edge parenchymal regions of all right rear mammary glands to quantify the tissue area of various tissue structures, the percentage of proliferating epithelial cells, and the number and form of blood vessels. Results showed that LONG calves had a greater tissue area occupied by epithelium than CON and SHORT calves, while epithelial area in CON and SHORT calves were similar. Edge parenchyma had a greater percentage of proliferating epithelial cells than center parenchyma across all treatment groups. Within the edge region, LONG calves had the greatest percentage of proliferating epithelial cells, coinciding with greater epithelial area. Blood vessel number per unit of tissue area was greater in center than edge parenchyma; the corresponding vessel surface area/unit of tissue area followed this same pattern, being greater in center parenchyma than edge parenchyma. Mammary blood vessel measures were not markedly influenced by estradiol treatment. Together, these results highlight the marked difference in the number and organization of blood vessels in different mammary parenchyma regions but indicate that estradiol's effects on stimulating mammary epithelial proliferation does n (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2020, Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

The manufacturing of bacon bits involves the exposure of parts from bacon manufacturing, to high-temperature oil resulting in reduced moisture content (water activity) and enhanced red color. The overall objective of this investigation was to increase the efficiency of the manufacturing process for bacon bits. The specific objectives focus on evaluating the effect of process variables on the quality attributes of the bacon bits. Outcomes from the research should improve the consistency of the final product attributes, as well as the entire manufacturing operation. Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted by exposing different quantities of raw bacon bits to a known volume of high-temperature oil. The initial moisture content, water activity, color, and fat content of raw material were measured, as well as the same analyses for the final product after 4, 6, and 8 min of processing. The influence of process variables, such as the initial temperature of raw material and the ratio of raw material mass to volume of hot oil, were evaluated according to experimental design. A comprehensive mass balance was conducted to estimate the amounts of water evaporated from the bacon bits during the process. Photographic images of samples of bacon bits were created at the same time as standard colorimeter analysis. A Java program was used to improve the consistency of colorimeter parameter measurements. The results of the experiments revealed the significant influence of oil temperature on quality attributes of the final bacon bits. First-order rate constants were used to describe the change in water activity, color, and moisture content during the frying process. The influence of temperature on the rate constant was described by an Arrhenius relationship. The outcome from the experiments clearly illustrates the decrease in fry time with an increase in oil temperature. Finally, an increase in the ratio of bacon bits to oil volume increased the fry time needed to reach the desi (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2020, Comparative and Veterinary Medicine

Interspecies influenza A virus (IAV) transmission is a fundamental mechanism fueling emergence of novel IAVs with significant impact on human health. Prolonged contact between humans and pigs at agricultural exhibitions permits bidirectional transmission of IAV with sporadic cases of zoonotic infections in people. IAVs introduced from people to swine populations persist in this animal reservoir while human population immunity changes significantly over time. Since all previous pandemic IAVs originated in animals, characterizing existing human immunity against the increasingly diverse IAVs circulating in swine (IAV-S) and investigating approaches to mitigate the risk posed by IAV-S are important to protect public health. The second chapter of this dissertation details the results of a study of serologic immunity against contemporary IAV-S in 153 healthy human subjects donors. We analyzed samples by hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) assay against a panel of viruses including referent human seasonal IAVs. Results indicate gaps in human immunity exist at the population level and within individual age groups for H1 and H3 IAVs circulating in US swine. Youth appear particularly predisposed to infection with several examined viruses. Expansion of current gaps could eventually permit sustained transmission of human-adapted IAV-S following spillover to people. The third chapter describes a study comparing the effect of IAV vaccination in swine on post-challenge viral shedding and transmission to exposed ferrets acting as surrogates for humans. Vaccination with killed or live-attenuated influenza vaccine reduced virus shedding in pigs following intranasal IAV challenge, and virus transmission was delayed for ferrets exposed to pigs that had received the live-attenuated influenza vaccine. These results indicate pre-exhibition influenza vaccination of swine could reduce the public health risk posed by IAV-S. The fourth chapter discusses preliminary work inv (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2019, Environmental Studies (Voinovich)

The Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) unlike other Catheritidae family members who only consume carrion, is known to harm injured, orphaned or vulnerable livestock. Historically only present in pocket populations in southwestern Ohio, the Black Vulture has been expanding its range to the north and east. This project had two goals. First, we conducted a survey of livestock farmers to assess whether the presence or absence of Black Vultures influenced their perceptions of the species as a source of loss. Second, we aimed to determine the range expansion of Black Vultures using data from the Breeding Bird Survey and eBird to determine the current range of the Black Vulture. We found that although the Black Vulture is not currently a major threat to livestock farmers in Ohio, it is still a threat that needs to be managed. Furthermore, the Black Vulture's range is expanding based on evidence from Breeding Bird Survey, eBird and counties in which reported experiencing the Black Vulture on their farm. Thus, as the Black Vulture expands its range throughout Ohio and other bordering states, there is a rising risk of negative interactions with livestock. Management implications and practices were also investigated and found that USFWS recommended effigies and the use of dogs on a farm were beneficial to farmers facing Black Vultures.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2018, Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Current water quality targets for Lake Erie call for a 40% reduction in total phosphorus (TP) and dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) from 2008 levels from the Maumee River watershed. Previous studies have shown pathways to reaching these targets through widespread implementation of agricultural best management practices due to the large impact agriculture has on the water quality discharged from the watershed. Approximately 88% of the total phosphorus delivered to Lake Erie from the watershed comes from agricultural fertilizer and manure applications. Although a large focus on achieving these water quality targets is on management of agricultural land practices, many unknowns exists about the impact manure applications have on the water quality discharged from the watershed. To investigate how permitted, large-scale livestock operations plan to manage their manure, Permits and Inspection Reports submitted to and conducted by the Ohio Division of Livestock Environmental Permitting for 48 Confined Animal Feeding Facilities (CAFFs) in northwestern Ohio were examined. Results from this analysis found that dairy manure likely traveled further from its source than swine manure and much liquid manure was planned to be applied in the growing season (July-October). Furthermore, results indicated that CAFFs were generally following their approved Manure Management Plans. In 2014, 65% of acres receiving manure had soil phosphorus levels below 50 ppm (Bray P1). In 2015, 69% of acres receiving manure had soil phosphorus levels below 50 ppm (Bray P1). Results also highlight that approximately 80% of swine and 75% of cattle within the study area are not housed on permitted operations and approximately 100% of solid poultry manure produced within the study area is managed through Distribution and Utilization. Little public information regarding manure management is available for non-regulated livestock or for manure managed in Distribution and Utilization. To simulate impa (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2018, Environment and Natural Resources

Sustainable management of fisheries and improvement of aquaculture production depends on an increased scientific understanding of fish physiology, nutrition, genetics, and ecology. With over 33,000 described fish species, and hundreds of these species being commercially fished or farmed, it is impractical to develop scientific resources and thoroughly investigate the biology of each species. One solution to this problem is the utilization of model organisms. The zebrafish Danio rerio is a widely used model organism in the larger experimental biology community. However, several areas of research need to be addressed for its utility to increase, particularly for fisheries and aquaculture research. First, rearing methods need to be improved, with an emphasis on larval and early juvenile stages. The sex determination system is controversial, but has been suggested to be polygenic. Finally, interspecies hybridization, which is a key tool in genetic improvement for aquaculture species, has not been thoroughly explored in the Danio genus. We present a series of studies addressing these areas of research in order to increase the utility of the zebrafish model system with an emphasis on applications to fisheries and aquaculture research. First, we designed and evaluated a rearing method utilizing a novel set of environmental parameters (3 parts per thousand salinity, high densities of live food, algal turbidity, 24L:0D photoperiod) from 5 to 21 days post-fertilization (dpf) that led to rapid growth rates (mean ± SD lengths of 19.4 ± 1.0 mm and 30.4 ± 1.5 mm at 21 and 42 dpf, respectively) and high fertility (232 ± 124 oocytes/female at 66 ± 3 dpf) (chapter 2). Next, we evaluated this protocol at temperatures close to the lower thermal limit for embryonic development (23°C) and observed no significant decrease in survival compared to a control group kept at optimum temperature (28.5°C) (chapter 3). We then utilized this rearing protocol to perform a series of investigati (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2017, Comparative and Veterinary Medicine

Non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica is one of the leading causes of foodborne infections worldwide. Cattle are considered a major reservoir of Salmonella that can be transmitted to humans predominantly by consumption of contaminated food or through contact with infected animals or the environment. The overall goal of this dissertation was to assess the impact of pre-harvest cow-level determinants (parturition, microbiome, stress, clinical disease) that could contribute on the shedding of this ubiquitous microorganism. Identifying pre-harvest factors that influence Salmonella shedding represents a cornerstone to design and implement strategies to prevent transmission and safeguard the food safety.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2017, Animal Sciences

Two experiments were completed to evaluate the effects of different management strategies on commercial swine operations. Experiment 1 was divided into two separate studies. The objective of Study 1 was to evaluate the effects of floor space during the grow-finish period on pigs marketed at 136 kg. In Study 1, 170 commercial crossbred pigs were blocked by weight and sex, then randomly assigned to one of 5 floor space allocations of 0.71, 0.80, 0.89, 0.98, and 1.08 m2/per pig. Pigs remained on test at the assigned floor space until a pen averaged 136 kg, at which point Study 1 ended. Pigs were weighed and feed disappearance was recorded bi-weekly in order to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain:feed ratio (G:F). Lameness and skin lesions were also recorded bi-weekly as indicators of individual pig welfare. Salivary cortisol was taken at 80 and 136 kg to evaluate physiological stress response to floor space allowance. The objective of Study 2 was to evaluate the effects of floor space allowance of pigs weighing 136 kg until marketing. In Study 2, 70 pigs were subjected to the same floor space allowances as in Study 1 for 14 days at which point they were weighed and feed disappearance was recorded to calculate performance characteristics previously described. Repeated measure analysis was used when analyzing performance data. There were no effects (P > 0.05) of floor space on ADG, ADFI, or G:F in Study 1. Additionally, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in salivary cortisol concentrations, or the incidence of lameness or skin lesions. Similarly, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in the performance or welfare data collected in Study 2. The objective of the second experiment was to evaluate the effects of rubber mat flooring on the mitigation of lameness and performance of sows during farrowing and lactation. In this experiment 213 multiparous lame (L) and non-lame (NL) sows were assigned standard farrowing cr (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Arts in History, Youngstown State University, 2016, Department of Humanities

This thesis examines the place, meaning, and changing role of the horse in American history -- both physically, including its impacts on the natural environment and its place in the history of transportation, and culturally in modern American memory. As the horse has declined in importance as a beast of burden, it has become increasingly relevant and important culturally, becoming a sort of American artifact central to the notions of American authenticity and the Western experience. The use of the horse as a leisure activity has caused damage to the environment that is specific to the biological makeup of the horse. Although this phenomenon can be examined through various lenses, emphasis here will be placed on the changing place of the horse in western national parks, where over the course of the past century it has undergone transformation from basic transport engine to a starring role in the modern mythology of an authentic western experience.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2016, Comparative and Veterinary Medicine

Surveillance for wildlife diseases is critical to our understanding of the emergence, transmission, persistence and control of infectious diseases at the interface of humans, domestic animals, and wildlife populations. Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite capable of infecting a wide range of canid and ungulate species. The importance of the disease relates to economic losses, mainly derived from endemic or epidemic abortions in cattle. In the United States, coyotes and dogs are believed to be the main definitive hosts and white-tailed deer and cows are the main intermediate hosts. Our overall aim was to better understand the wildlife-livestock interface of N. caninum in natural settings. First, we estimated the true prevalence of N. caninum in three ruminant species by using Bayesian inference. We identified and discussed differences between apparent and true prevalence (TP). Differences in TP for some species suggest differences in the epidemiology of N. caninum for these co-located populations. Second, we evaluated the environmental phase of N. caninum shed in wild canid scats. Results suggested that the role of this environmental phase in the transmission to ruminants is likely minor. Finally, we evaluated the role of host species heterogeneity in the epidemiology of N. caninum circulating in a community. We identified differences in the patterns of immunity, age structure, and maternal and/or fetal antibody duration in three intermediate (ruminant) host species. Also, we estimated the species-specific contributions to the persistence of this pathogen in a community. This research was approached from the One Health perspective and provided a better understanding of N. caninum dynamics at the wildlife-livestock interface in an ecosystem.

Master of Fine Arts, University of Akron, 2015, Creative Writing

This project is a collection of original poetry, wherein multiple female speakers assess the human condition, using simple machines as a lens in which to focus. These simple machines manifest themselves in mechanisms like the body, gender dynamics, sexuality, body image, girlhood, loss of innocence, monstrosity, the environment, etc.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2013, Animal Sciences

A limiting factor to genetic progress in the cattle industries is that the most popular, and oftentimes most genetically superior, sires cannot produce enough semen at an early enough age to meet demand. The growing trend of using genomically-tested sires exacerbates this problem. In this series of experiments, both dietary and direct endocrine manipulations were used in growing bulls with the goal of positively affecting several physiological changes that precede puberty. The first experiment was conducted in order to examine the effect of a high energy (HE) diet on prepubertal endocrinology, age at puberty, mature sperm production, and testicular characteristics of Holstein bulls. It was hypothesized that the HE diet would cause bulls to attain puberty sooner, and produce larger testes that produced more sperm. In order to test this hypothesis, Holstein bulls were either placed on a HE diet (HE, n = 9, targeted ADG 1.5 kg/d) or a control diet (CONT, n = 10, targeted ADG 0.75 kg/d) from 58 to 230 d of age. HE bulls experienced increased systemic LH concentrations at 125 d, increased testosterone concentrations from 181 to 210 d, and increased scrotal circumference from 147 to 367 d of age. Semen collections beginning at 241 d of age to assess puberty on a subset of bulls (HE, n = 8; control, n = 7) revealed no difference in the age at puberty between treatments (310 ± 10 d), and mature sperm production did not differ between groups during thrice-weekly collections obtained in the four weeks preceding slaughter at 569 d of age. Testis weight (318.0 ± 13.5 vs. 267.5 ± 14.4 g), epididymal weight (31.6 ± 1.1 vs. 28.0 ± 1.2 g), and testis volume (305.0 ± 11.9 vs. 244.9 ± 12.9 cm3) were greater (P < 0.05) in the HE treatment at 579 ± 4.7 d of age (post mortem), but seminiferous tubule diameter and area comprised of seminiferous tubule did not differ between treatments (252.23 ± 2.44 µm; 72.1%). These data s (open full item for complete abstract)