Rutgers was well represented at the 2013 Equine Science Society Symposium. L-R: Laura Gladney, Karyn Malinowski, Ken McKeever, Nettie Liburt, Danielle Smarsh and Carey Williams. Photo courtesy of Equine Science Center.
Animal Sciences faculty, staff, students and alumni traveled to Ruidoso, NM, to participate in the annual Equine Science Society (ESS) Symposium held in May. Ken McKeever, professor of animal sciences, won the prestigious Distinguished Service in Equine Science Award and was elected Secretary/Treasurer of ESS at the meeting.
Karyn Malinowski (CC’75, GSNB’80, ’86), director of the Rutgers Equine Science Center, was elected to the ESS Board of Directors during the symposium. Animal Sciences Professor Sarah Ralston gave an oral presentation, “Rutgers Young Horse Research and Teaching Program: Risks and Benefits 1999‐2012,” which was the topic of her recent Journal of Animal Science articles. Professor Carey Williams served as moderator of the Exercise Physiology Graduate Competition. Danielle Smarsh, a Ph.D. candidate in Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences, presented her dissertation research titled “The Effects of Acute Exercise on Oxidative Stress in the Skeletal Muscle and Blood of Yearling and Mature Horses.” Smarsh’s reseach earned 3rd place in the Exercise Physiology Graduate Competition. Also representing the Department of Animal Sciences at the symposium were Ryan Avenatti, a Ph.D. candidate in Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences and Program Associate Laura Gladney, a master’s of sciences candidate in Plant Biology.
Several alumni of the Rutgers graduate program gave oral presentations of their current research, including Mary Beth Gordon, Ph.D. 2005; Emily Lamprecht, Ph.D. 2010; and Nettie Liburt, M.S. 2005 and Ph.D. 2011. Current Ph.D. student at West Virginia University, Jennie Zambito, SEBS 2009, earned 2nd place in the Exercise Physiology Graduate Competition for her research presentation. Joining the group to celebrate Ken McKeever’s award was Donald L. Thompson, Jr., a 1973 graduate of the Rutgers College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and currently Ralph and Lela Boulware Professor of Animal Sciences at Louisiana State University.
