U.S. Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Research Service

National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture

11861 Leetown Road

Kearneysville, WV25430

Voice: (304) 724-8340 x2133

 

Professional Biographical Information:

2009 – Present           Growth Physiologist, USDA/ARS/NCCCWA

2007 – 2009                Post-Doc, Growth Physiology, USDA/ARS/NCCCWA

2003 – 2007                Ph.D. in Animal and Food Science, West Virginia University

Advisor: Dr. Kenneth Blemings

2001 – 2003                M.S. in Animal and Food Science, West Virginia University

Advisors: Dr. Hillar Klandorf and Dr. Kenneth Blemings

1997-2001                   B.S. in Animal and Veterinary Science, West Virginia University

 

Affiliations:

American Physiological Society

American Society for Nutrition

 

Description of Research Interests:

Improvements in growth and nutrient utilization can increase the production efficiency of the US rainbow trout aquaculture industry.  Protein turnover represents a physiological mechanism that contributes to variations in growth and nutrient utilization in rainbow trout.  Therefore, research regarding the regulation of protein turnover is critical to attain a better understanding of how nutrients are utilized and for the development of new strategies aimed at improving growth and nutrient utilization in rainbow trout.  To achieve this, my research is directed towards identifying the pathways that regulate protein metabolism.  Once these pathways are characterized, I will focus on determining genetic variation in the activity and expression of proteins within these regulatory pathways, which will provide the basis for new phenotypic and molecular measures on which to base selection.