Daryl Nydam grew up in central New York State where his grandparents owned a small farm, and his father was a practicing dairy veterinarian.

He earned a BS in Biochemistry at the University of New York–Geneseo and played basketball. Daryl then went to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University and received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Following this, while living in Vermont, he entered private clinical practice where he focused on food animal herd health.

Dr. Nydam returned to Cornell and received a PhD in epidemiology – the same year he married his wife.

Currently, he is employed in the Departments of Public and Ecosystem Health and Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences at Cornell as Professor of dairy health and production and co-director of the Summer Dairy Institute. 

Daryl is a member of Quality Milk Production Services, the section of Ambulatory and Production Medicine, and is a Faculty Director for the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability.

In these roles he is active in on-farm dairy production medicine programs for efficient production, disease control programs, and provides regular clinical service.

He publishes scientific articles in these fields (over 160 peer-reviewed), often with gifted graduate students, as well as speaks with various audiences. He also teaches students many aspects of production medicine and public health.

In addition, Daryl is a member of the Graduate Fields of Animal Science, Epidemiology, and Biological and Biomedical Sciences where he advises PhD students.

He’s been lucky enough to be surrounded by great mentors and colleagues, both inside and outside of academia. Through the years, Daryl has drawn inspiration from the dairy producers he has had the chance to work with and try to help.

He and his wife (Gillian Perkins, DVM, DACVIM) have a daughter (Heidi) and a son (Peter).

Personal Statement

My research interests lie at the intersection of production agriculture (particularly dairy), population medicine, and planetary health. Among my goals are efficient use of resources, animal health, and antimicrobial stewardship. The foundation of this approach began with training in biochemistry and was solidified through veterinary medicine and experience as a clinician. During my PhD I studied zoonotic disease risks (especially cryptosporidiosis) using epidemiologic techniques. I have held academically progressive positions at Cornell University including being Director of Quality Milk Production Services and currently Faculty Director at the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability. I have expertise in study design, statistical analysis, dairy production medicine, and stakeholder engagement. I have designed and conducted many observational epidemiologic studies as well as randomized clinical trials and infectious disease challenge studies in animal models. To date I have authored or co-authored over 155 peer-reviewed publications and my research has been presented at national and international conferences (more than 100). I have mentored numerous successful trainees, including PhD students, DVM students, and post-doctoral research associates.

BS, 1993, Biochemistry, University of Geneseo, Geneseo, New York.

DVM, 1997, Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

PhD, 2002, Epidemiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

OTH, 2004, Certificate, Dairy Production Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario.

Ongoing and recently completed projects that I would like to highlight

NY Farm Viability Institute: An On-line Approach to Teaching On-farm Mastitis Culture Techniques and Creation of a Practical Assessment Tool for Complicated Procedures on Dairies. Nydam, Virkler, Heuwieser, Zurakowski. 4/23-3/25

USDA-NIFA. Quantifying cattle manure-AMR perceptions and treatment system variabilities to develop a novel communication framework for conveying AMR science and mitigation opportunities. Nydam, Lansing. 5/21 – 5/23

USDA-AFRI: Selective Dry Cow Therapy on US Dairy Farms: Impact on Udder Health, Antimicrobial Use, and Economics. Godden, Nydam, Lago, 8/18 – 7/21

USDA, Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grant: Multidisciplinary, problem-based lessons on antimicrobial resistance for seamless integration into veterinary curricula. Cummings, Korich, Nydam, Perkins, Goggs, Menard, Debbie, Schwark, Budke, Lawhon, Fajt. 3/18–2/22

Positions, Scientific Appointments and Honors

Positions and Scientific Appointments:

2019 – Current David Drinkwater Faculty Director, Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

2018 – Current Professor, Dairy Health and Production, Cornell University, Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY

2013- 2019 Director, Quality Milk Production Services, Cornell University, New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY

2012- 2018 Associate Professor, Dairy Health and Production, Cornell University, Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY

2006 – 2012 Assistant Professor, Dairy Health and Production, Cornell University, Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY

2001 – 2005 Senior Extension Associate, Cornell University, New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY

1998 – 2001 Veterinary Research Assistant, Cornell University, Section of Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY

1997 – 1998 Associate Large Animal Veterinarian, Granville Veterinary Service, Large Animal, Granville, NY

Honors:

2009 – 2023 Faculty Fellow, Atkinson Center for Sustainable Future

2016 – 2019 Editorial Board, Journal of Dairy Science

2010 – 2013 Most cited manuscript, American Dairy Science Association

1998 – 2001 Graduate Fellowship in Molecular Epidemiology, USDA

2022 – Fellow, Cornell Institute for Food Systems

2021 – Milk Quality and Mastitis Award, American Dairy Science Association, by West Argo

2018 – 2nd Place international Webinar, American AG. Editors Association

2015 – Excellence in Preventative Medicine Dairy, American Association of Bovine Practitioners

2014 – Academic Service Award, College of Veterinary Medicine

2007 – AVMA Teaching Excellence Award Finalist, AVMA

2005 – AVMA Teaching Excellence Award Finialist, AVMA

2004 – Phi Zeta, Alpha, National Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine

2003 – Exceptional Merit Award, Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences

2001 – Fellowship, Walter Schonlenk Graduate Research

2001 – Sigma Xi Research Award, Cornell University

1997 – AVMA Fellowship, Centers for Disease Control

1997 – Jacob Traum Award, Cornell University

1996 – David A. Morrow Food Animal Scholarship, Cornell University

Contribution to Science

1. Antimicrobial stewardship in dairy production is a current area of focus. 65% of antibiotic use in dairy production is associated with mastitis of which a large portion is used to cure existing subclinical infections and prevent new ones at the end of the lactating period. Standard industry recommendations have been to use blanket treatment of all cows at this time. We have devised methods and employed them across many dairy farms to use Selective Dry Cow Therapy (SDCT) where only cows at risk of having an active infection are administered antibiotics, reducing use at this time by more than 50%.

a. Rowe SM, Nydam DV, Godden SM, Gorden PJ, Lago A, Vasquez AK, Royster E, Timmerman J, Thomas MJ, Lynch RA. Partial budget analysis of culture- and algorithm-guided selective dry cow therapy. J Dairy Sci. 2021 May;104(5):5652-5664. PubMed PMID: 33685701.

b. Rowe SM, Godden SM, Nydam DV, Gorden PJ, Lago A, Vasquez AK, Royster E, Timmerman J, Thomas MJ. Randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of 2 selective dry-cow therapy protocols on udder health and performance in the subsequent lactation. J Dairy Sci. 2020 Jul;103(7):6493-6503. PubMed PMID: 32331877.

c.Vasquez AK, Foditsch C, Dulièpre SC, Siler JD, Just DR, Warnick LD, Nydam DV, Sok J. Understanding the effect of producers’ attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control on intentions to use antimicrobials prudently on New York dairy farms. PLoS One. 2019;14(9):e0222442. PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6738616.

d. Vasquez AK, Nydam DV, Foditsch C, Wieland M, Lynch R, Eicker S, Virkler PD. Use of a culture-independent on-farm algorithm to guide the use of selective dry-cow antibiotic therapy. J Dairy Sci. 2018 Jun;101(6):5345-5361. PubMed PMID: 29605332.

2. Another area of research focus has been prudent antimicrobial use of treating Clinical Mastitis (CM) infections. Through deployment of rapid diagnostics and computer information systems we developed methods to deliver treatment protocols and have been able to reduce antibiotic use by 55-65% compared to indiscriminate use.

a. Sipka A, Wieland M, Biscarini F, Rossi RM, Roman N, Santisteban C, Moroni P, Nydam DV. Short communication: Comparative performance of 3 on-farm culture systems for detection of mastitis pathogens interpreted by trained and untrained observers. J Dairy Sci. 2021 Apr;104(4):4936-4941. PubMed PMID: 33612204.

b.Rowe SM, Godden SM, Nydam DV, Lago A, Vasquez AK, Royster E, Timmerman J. Randomized equivalence study evaluating the efficacy of two commercial internal teat sealants in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 2020June; 103(6):5398-5413.

c.Vasquez AK, Ganda EK, Capel MB, Eicker S, Virkler PD, Bicalho RC, Nydam DV. The microbiome of Escherichia coli and culture-negative nonsevere clinical mastitis: Characterization and associations with linear score and milk production. J Dairy Sci. 2019 Jan;102(1):578-594. PubMed PMID: 30447983.

d.Vasquez AK, Nydam DV, Capel MB, Eicker S, Virkler PD. Clinical outcome comparison of immediate blanket treatment versus a delayed pathogen-based treatment protocol for clinical mastitis in a New York dairy herd. J Dairy Sci. 2017 Apr;100(4):2992-3003. PubMed PMID: 28161180.

3. Another longstanding area of inquiry that leads to efficiency of dairy production and animal well-being is the transition from late gestation to early lactation. In this work we have characterized biomarkers that can be measured to gauge the risk of animal disorder as well as leading to implementation of both treatment and preventive measures.

a. Kerwin AL, Burhans WS, Mann S, Nydam DV, Wall SK, Schoenberg KM, Perfield KL, Overton TR. Transition cow nutrition and management strategies of dairy herds in the northeastern United States: Part II-Associations of metabolic- and inflammation-related analytes with health, milk yield, and reproduction. J Dairy Sci. 2022 Jun;105(6):5349-5369. PubMed PMID: 35469642.

b. Mann S, Yepes FA, Overton TR, Wakshlag JJ, Lock AL, Ryan CM, Nydam DV. Dry period plane of energy: Effects on feed intake, energy balance, milk production, and composition in transition dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 2015 May;98(5):3366-82. PubMed PMID: 25771059.

c. McArt JAA, Nydam DV, Oetzel GR. Epidemiology of subclinical ketosis in early lactation dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci. 2012 Sep;95(9):5056-5066. PubMed PMID: 22916909.

d. Ospina PA, Nydam DV, Stokol T, Overton TR. Evaluation of NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in transition dairy cattle in the Northeast USA. Critical thresholds for prediction of clinical diseases. J Dairy Sci. 2010; (93):546-554.

4. My research group has also been in the area of neonatal calves especially as pertains to infectious diseases with a focus on those that present zoonotic disease risk. We have contributed to developed vaccines that are commercially available, management strategies to mitigate transmission risk, and characterized zoonotic disease infections.

a. Bristol LS, Duhamel GE, Zinckgraf JW, Crabb JH, Nydam DV. Passive antibodies derived from rotavirus-like particles reduce neonatal calf diarrhea caused by rotavirus in an oral challenge model. J Dairy Sci. 2021November; 104(11):11922-11930.

b. Ollivett TL, Leslie KE, Duffield TF, Nydam DV, Hewson J, Caswell J, Dunn P, Kelton DF. Field trial to evaluate the effect of an intranasal respiratory vaccine protocol on calf health, ultrasonographic lung consolidation, and growth in Holstein dairy calves. J Dairy Sci. 2018 Sep;101(9):8159-8168. PubMed PMID: 29908805.

c. Operario DJ, Bristol LS, Liotta J, Nydam DV, Houpt ER. Correlation between diarrhea severity and oocyst count via quantitative PCR or fluorescence microscopy in experimental cryptosporidiosis in calves. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2015 Jan;92(1):45-9. PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4347389.

d. Zambriski JA, Nydam DV, Wilcox ZJ, Bowman DD, Mohammed HO, Liotta JL. Cryptosporidium parvum: Determination of ID50 and the dose-response relationship in experimentally challenged dairy calves. Vet Parasit. 2013; 197(1-2):104-12.