Zinpro Corporation Sponsors 2018 Young Scholar Recognition Awards

Two recognized for excellence in animal science research

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Aug. 23, 2018 – Two graduate student scholars were recently recognized as outstanding Young Scholars at the 2018 Western Section Awards Program. Sponsored by Zinpro Corporation, the awards were presented to Hannah Cunningham and Amelia Tanner, as part of the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science (WSASAS) meeting held recently in Bend, Oregon. Award recipients each received a plaque, monetary award and invitation to present their research findings at the meeting.

“This award recognizes the tremendous accomplishments for these young researchers, who have proven their ability to conduct research that is valuable to the animal science community and production agriculture,” says Connie Larson, Ph.D., Research and Nutritional Services ruminant manager – North America, Zinpro Corporation. “It is an honor for Zinpro to support the recognition of their work and their contribution to the future of our industry.”  

Established in 2013, the WSASAS Young Scholar Recognition Program acknowledges the outstanding research accomplishments by doctoral and master’s degree students. The recognition program is also designed to increase participation in the WSASAS annual meetings by showcasing exceptional and contemporary research from talented, young scientists. 

Doctoral Award Recipient

Hannah Cunningham, Ph.D., earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Olaf College in 2012, and her master’s degree in ruminant nutrition from the University of Wyoming in 2014. Dr. Cunningham completed her doctoral work in animal breeding and genetics at the University of Wyoming in 2018. Her dissertation work focused on determining maternal influences on the establishment and development of the calf rumen microbiome and subsequent calf performance. During her doctoral program, she was involved in numerous other research projects, including collaborative work with the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center and AgResearch (New Zealand).  Additionally, her doctoral program included substantial teaching responsibilities, including serving as the primary instructor for a senior-level animal breeding and genetics course.  

A native of Wyoming, Dr. Cunningham has been an active member of WSASAS, having served as the section’s graduate student director. She has a great passion for animal agriculture, and she is now working as an assistant professor of animal genetics in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Wyoming.

Master’s Award Recipient

Amelia Tanner earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science from Texas A&M University in 2014. She pursued her master’s degree in animal sciences at North Dakota State University under the mentorship of Dr. Kimberly Vonnahme. Her master’s degree work investigated how winter-feeding strategies influence reproductive physiology in beef cows and subsequently impact calf health, growth and carcass quality. Upon completing her master’s degree in 2017, Tanner received a U.S. Department of Agriculture National Needs Predoctoral Fellowship through the Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory at Colorado State University, where she is currently pursuing her doctorate degree. 

Tanner, from Cedar Park, Texas, plans to lead her own research team investigating how neonatal physiology is altered by maternal pregnancy adaptations to environmental or nutritional stressors.

As the industry leader in trace mineral nutrition for livestock, equine, aqua and poultry, Zinpro is committed to delivering the technical expertise, products and educational tools needed to help customers improve the performance and profitability of their operations.

August 23, 2018