Michael E. Van Amburgh, PhD
Professor of Animal Science and Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow at Cornell University, with Dual Appointments in Teaching and Research
Mike Van Amburgh is a Professor in the Department of Animal Science and a Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow at Cornell University where he has a dual appointment in teaching and research.
Faculty experience
1995-2002: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Animal Science, Cornell University
2002-2013: Associate Professor, Dept. of Animal Science, Cornell University
2013- Present: Full Professor, Dept. of Animal Science, Cornell University
Teaching experience
1995-2023: Professor, Cornell University. AnSc 1160 – Lead instructor for 3 years; AnSc 2500 – Lead instructor for 5 years, co-instructor for 4 years; AnSc 2550 – Lead instructor for 28 years; AnSc 3511 – Lead instructor for 8 years, co- instructor for 3 years; AnSc 3560 – lead instructor for 18 years; AnSc 4110 – Lead instructor for 29 years; AnSc 4120- Co-instructor for 17 years; AnSc 4510 – Lead instructor for 10 years, co-instructor for 10 years; AnSc 4560 – Lead instructor for 9 years, co-instructor for 12 years. AnSc 6130 – Lead instructor for 2 years.
His undergraduate degree is from The Ohio State University and his Ph.D. is from Cornell University.
He leads the Cornell Dairy Fellows Program, advises approximately 30 undergraduate students, and is the Cornell University Dairy Science Club advisor.
Mike currently leads the development of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS/CPM Dairy), a nutrition evaluation and formulation model used worldwide. Through licensing, the CNCPS is used to formulate diets for approximately 70% of the dairy cows in North America. Through the modeling effort, he focuses on enhancing the efficiency of nutrient use by ruminants to improve the environmental impact of animal food production. A significant component of his current work is to understand whole animal and ruminal nitrogen metabolism and amino acid supply and requirements to enhance the productivity of high-producing lactating dairy cattle and use that information in the further development of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System. Further, his group is active in developing methods to better describe the interaction between forage and feed chemistry, rumen function and post-ruminal digestion to complement the model.
He has authored and co-authored over 100 journal articles and many conference proceedings. He is the recipient of several awards, including the American Dairy Science Foundation Scholar Award, the Land O’Lakes Teaching and Mentoring Award from ADSA, the American Feed Ingredient Association Award for Research, Journal of Dairy Science Most Cited Award, the CALS Professor of Merit Award, and the CALS Distinguished Advisor Award. In 2016, he was named a Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow, the highest teaching award given by Cornell University.
PROFESSIONAL OVERVIEW AND PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Research efforts in my laboratory are multifaceted but focused on several aspects of productive efficiency of dairy cattle. With increasing pressure on the dairy industry to reduce the environmental impact of cattle, my research group is working on developing a basic understanding of whole animal nitrogen metabolism and supply and efficiency of use of absorbed amino acids. We have embarked on several studies employing stable isotopes of nitrogen compounds to understand urea nitrogen recycling and the fate of intake nitrogen. This work is leading to new dietary strategies that allow nutritionists to reduce the amount of nitrogen (crude protein) fed to lactating cows while maintaining milk production thus improving the efficiency of use of absorbed feed nitrogen and reducing the amount of manure nitrogen excreted into the environment per unit of milk produced. Data from studies are being used to further develop the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS).
In addition, my group is furthering this work with new studies examining the role of specific amino acid limitations under conditions of marginal metabolizable protein supply. We have developed the CNCPS to be very accurate at predicting the absolute amount of intake nitrogen required to produce high volumes of energy corrected milk and enhance milk component output through improved amino acid requirements and supplies. This has allowed us to feed diets as low as 14% crude protein and maintain high levels of milk production. This is a good model to evaluate limiting amino acids, since the cows are sensitive to specific amino acid supply at the lower protein intake levels. This has direct effects on the overall efficiency of the animal and how absorbed amino acids are utilized with the goal of further enhancing the efficiency of use of protein by the lactating dairy cow.
In support of the CNCPS and enhancing productive efficiency in lactating dairy cattle, we are also developing new tools to describe how NDF digestion occurs in forages. The goal is to better describe the rate and extent of NDF digestion for use in the model with the objective of linking this to dry matter intake and whole farm forage allocation to reduce the importation of non-farm raised feeds, thus reducing the importation of nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen. We have developed a model that describes the rate of digestion of two NDF pools and further describes the size of the respective pools that will be used to enhance feed intake models based on physical fill effects.
Finally, the lab has a 20-year history of engaging in research to enhance our understanding of the nutrient requirements and management of calves and heifers. Previous work identified time and not nutrient intake as the primary factor influencing pre-pubertal mammary development as measured by DNA accretion. This finding has significant implications because thirty years of research into this very perplexing and controversial issue never identified any mechanism for the decreased development and this observation allows us to redirect our efforts to factors that can be manipulated and have a larger impact on future milk potential. To that point, recent work has strongly demonstrated that nutrient intake and growth rates prior to weaning have a developmental or epigenetic effect on the animal, which results in greater milk yield in the first and subsequent lactations. Further, in collaboration with colleagues, we were able to demonstrate that growth rate of the calves prior to weaning and nutrient intake from milk replacer above maintenance accounted for up to 22% of the variation in first lactation milk production. This is a significant finding and one that provides us with a new research direction with profound implications for early life management of calves and heifers. This has led us to the concept that through the supply of specific components from colostrum and nutrients from milk or milk replacer prior to weaning that we can “program†a calf to be a more productive cow.
Within the department, my research program contributes to both Food Animal Production Systems and Integrative Animal Biology.
HONORS AND AWARDS
2018: American Dairy Science Association, Most-Cited Paper Award in the Nutrition, Feeding and Calves section of the Journal of Dairy Science
2016: Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow Award, Cornell University. A permanent award recognizing excellence in teaching.
2016: North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture and Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Teacher of Merit Award
2016: North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Founders Award for Extraordinary Contributions
2012: Donald C. Burgett Distinguished Advisor Award, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University
2010: Land O’ Lakes Purina Feed LLC Teaching Award for Dairy Production, American Dairy Science Association
2010: American Feed Industry Association Award for Dairy Nutrition Research, American Dairy Science Association
2008: Professor of Merit: For Outstanding Teaching and Advising, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University
2007: Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Team Extension Award – Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System Team
2004: American Dairy Science Association Foundation, Foundation Scholar Award for Outstanding Research and Teaching, American Dairy Science Association
2002: Young Scientist Award, NE Section, American Society of Animal Science and American Dairy Science Association
1998: American Dairy Science Association Outstanding Student Affiliate Advisor Award
1994: Carl S. Akey (BASF) Nutrition Scholarship
1993: Hoerscht-Celense Award of Excellence
1992: Hoerscht-Celense Award of Excellence
SABBATICALS AND STUDY LEAVES: None
ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES
CURRENT ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervise Nicole McGuire, and Kelly Smith. And although not officially administrative by college or university, I spend a great deal of time administering and leading the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System team. This has both administrative (sales and licensing) and research demands. My primary responsibilities are to further develop the underlying functionality of the software through enhanced mathematical descriptions of the behavior of the rumen, ruminal metabolism and post-ruminal metabolism. The program as a licensed technology is used to formulate diets for approximately 70% of the dairy cattle in North America and is used in over 42 countries. Further work to develop the interface with the feed and nutrition industry professionals for training and support, and to help develop licensing arrangements through Cornell Research Foundation Technology Transfer Office are part of my responsibilities.
Administrative Leadership: Chair of the CURC Operations Committee
TEACHING AND ADVISING RESPONSIBILITIES:
Courses taught:
ANSC 1200. Contemporary Dairy Industry Topics and Issues. Lead instructor and coordinator. 2017-current. 1 credit course. 60% effort.
ANSC 1250 Study Trip to California Central Valley. Lead instructor 2008-current. Was a Dairy Club trip converted to a formal study trip in the last 6 years.
ANSC 4110. Applied Cattle Nutrition – Primary instructor, 1996- current 100% effort. 4 credit course.
ANSC 4120 Whole Farm Nutrient Management – co-instructor (2005 – 2010). 2 credit module – 2005-2009. 4 credit course 2010 – current. 50% effort.
ANSC 2500 Dairy Cattle – Co-taught course for 1 year (Fall 2012), lead instructor 5 years (2013-2017).
ANSC 2550 International Dairy Study Trip to Italy. 2 credit course. 100% effort every other year. Initiated as a course in 2008, prior to that was a club study trip. Initiated in 1995.
ANSC 3511 Junior Dairy Fellows Spring. 2011- current. 2 credit course. 100% effort.
ANSC 3560 International Dairy Study Trip. 2 credit course. 100% effort every other year. Lead instructor from 1996 to 2018.
ANSC 4510 Dairy Herd Business Management – one of the capstone courses for the Dairy Fellows Program. Part of teaching team responsible for farm evaluations and analyses and follow-up (2000 – current). Instructor of record starting Fall, 2011 – 3 credit course. 70% effort.
ANSC 4560 Dairy Fellows – the second of the capstone courses for the Fellows program. Lead instructor responsible for experiential learning activities, farm analyses, field trips (2000 – 2012) 30% effort. 2 credit course. 2013- current 100% effort.
ANSC 3550 Dairy Cattle Nutrition – two to three lectures, 5% effort
ANSC 3510 Dairy Cattle Management – two to three lectures, 5% effort
Vet Med. 6559 Applied Dairy Cattle Nutrition for Practitioners – two lectures. 2 credits. 5% effort
ANSC 4511 Quantitative Decision Making on Dairy Farms – lead instructor Fall 2008; co-instructor Fall 2010, 2011. 3 credit course. 20% effort 2013.
AN SC 1160. Animal Agriculture and Society – From Food to Medicine. 3 credit course. Developed and led course with colleage input and responsible for 45% of a team taught course, 2007, 2008, 2009.
Educational Innovations Developed:
Developed a student club trip in 1995 that has become an important part of our Dairy and Animal Science Program and an important study trip for a significant percentage of our undergraduate students in AnimalScience. The club trips are now courses, AnSc 2550 and 3560 and were designed as dairy study trips to European locations where dairy production, cheese making, international markets, international trade, quotas and other related topics have been discussed and learned. These trips are an extension of our experiential learning program in Dairy Fellows and the upper-level course has traveled to China as part of an exchange with China Agriculture University in Beijing. From 1996 to 2023, 1,140 students have participated in these international study trips.
Further, I worked with CALS Student Services office to develop an exchange program with the University of Parma, Italy (http://www.unipr.it/) and assisted in developing an exchange program with Harper Adams College in Shropshire, England (http://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/).
Led the development of an exit survey for graduating seniors in the Department of Animal Science that was adopted by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for all departments. Further to gauge student interests and awareness about their choice of a major and the opportunities within the major, I initiated an incoming freshman survey and their expectations for their education and experience in the major. This done as part of the college mandate to have some form of evaluation by which we can evaluate our curriculum and learning outcomes for the department.
Current Student Organization I Advise:
Cornell University Dairy Science Club: approximately 120 members, one of the largest undergraduate student clubs in CALS. (1995 – current)
Current Undergraduate Students Mentored in Independent Research:
Rebecca Combes
Current Undergraduate Advisees (2023-2024):
Student Name
Ainslie, Abbie – Animal Science
Ainslie, Aidan – Interdisciplinary studies
Barley, Colt – Animal Science
Beck, Clara – Animal Science
Blakemore, Kendall – Animal Science
Blesy, Brett – Animal Science
Brown, Kendall – Animal Science
DiDomenico, Stella – Animal Science
Haynes, Charlie – Animal Science
Herrick, Danielle – Animal Science
Hodge, Morgan – Animal Science
King, Lauren – Animal Science
Koval, Jack – Animal Science
Martin, Brittany – Animal Science
McCarthy, Abigail – Animal Science
Merrell, David – Animal Science
Michaud, Lincoln – Animal Science
Moody, Catherine – Animal Science
Patt, Kevin – Animal Science
Rejman, Molly – Animal Science
Sidonio, Amelia – Interdisciplinary studies
Swyers, Jenna – Animal Science
Swatling, Libby – Animal Science
Van Buren, Rachel – Animal Science
Walley, Lucas – Interdisciplinary studies
Wilbur, Sophia – Animal Science
Exchange students and research interns advised and mentored
Alessandro Zontini, Spring 2011, on exchange from Parma, Italy
Gianni di Tusa, Spring, 2011 on exchange from Parma, Italy
Davide Santospirito, Spring 2011, on exchange from Parma, Italy
Nila Eschavarria, 2011-2012 on exchange from Barcelona.
Hannah McIntyre, Fall 2011 on exchange from Lincoln University, NZ
Hanna Nilsson, Fall/Spring 2011-2012 on exchange from Sweden
Alexandra Francis, Fall/Spring 2011-2012 on exchange from Australia
Paolo Tempini, Spring 2012 on exchange from Parma, Italy
Simone Leo, Spring 2012 on exchange from Parma, Italy
Brigitte Ravera Fall 2012, on exchange from New Zealand
Laura Keenan, 2013, Lincoln University, NZ
Carlo Rossi, 2013, University of Parma, Italy
Simona Alberti, 2013, on exchange from Parma, Italy
Stephanie Williams, 2014, Lincoln University, NZ
Mariane Beline, 2015, Paulista State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira, Brazil
Armando Carnepa, 2015, University of Parma, Italy
Angela Guido, 2015, University of Parma, Italy
Avril Helen, 2015, UCD, Dublin, Ireland
Elisa Pernetta, 2015, University of Parma, Italy
Giuseppe Tiso, 2015, University of Parma, Italy
Elisa Calludrini, 2016, University of Parma, Italy
Matteo Tonni, 2016, University of Parma, Italy
Rachel White 2016, UCD, Dublin, Ireland
Frances Evans, 2016-2017, Wales, UK
Rosario Pitino, 2017, University of Parma, Italy
Anoar Jamai Masroure University of Parma, Italy
Massimiliano Festuccia University of Parma, Italy
Christopher Heffernan, University College Dublin, Ireland
Cesare Paolucci, University of Parma, Italy
Marta Pirola, University of Parma, Italy
Daniele Zanrosso, University of Parma, Italy
Francesco Cornetti, University of Parma, Italy
Alessandro Franzoni, University of Parma, Italy
Maria Giorgia Riva, University of Parma, Italy
Marco Piacentini, University of Parma, Italy
Danese, Tommaso, University of Parma, Italy
Zanotti, Andrea, University of Parma, Italy
Vettori, Julio De Matos, University of Bologna, Italy
Other Relevant Teaching and Advising Activities, Accomplishments:
Chairperson of the Animal Science Curriculum Committee 2006-2014. I engaged the department in a curriculum review in 2007, which continued to 2013. This review resulted in the development of five new courses (1160, 3920, 3980, 4050, and 4700) and the restructuring of courses already in the course catalogue (300, 301 renumbered to 2400 and 2410 to be part of the core curriculum in Animal Science and 6060). Worked to refine learning goals, outcomes and developing learning assessments for the department as part of the university’s reaccreditation program and continuing improvement in undergraduate teaching. The committee redefined the program pathways within the major, reassessed the needs of the teaching program and further re-defined the curriculum for the department as the faculty and resources are reallocated due to retirements and shifts in teaching and programmatic need.
2023 Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April in Saratoga, NY: Caroline Rafferty, Emily Starceski, Blake Wadsworth and Kevin Jess. First place finish.
2022-23. Organized two international study trips to Italy and Germany for January 2023. Dr. Overton lead the Germany trip and I lead the trip to Italy. Animal Science 2550 and 3560. Forty-seven students participated in the trip to Italy focused on the dairy industry and other agricultural industries throughout Lombardia, Reggio-Emilia, Veneto, Tuscany and Lazio. Thirty-seven students participated in the trip to Germany to study dairy production systems, milk processing and learn about German history and culture.
2022. Coached and advised 18 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in October. Hosted by the Northeast Dairy Consortium and held in Lyons Falls, NY. Mixed team competitions with 15 colleges and universities represented.
2022. Organized and directed a study tour of agricultural production in the Central Valley of California from Bakersfield to San Francisco. Fifty-four students. The tour focused on dairy farms, cotton, feedlots, carrots, citrus, cheese and butter production, water management and land use.
2022. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April in Green Bay, WI: Elizabeth Maslyn, Cole Schaap, Bryce Windecker and Alexander Dawson. Second place finish.
2021. Coached and advised 17 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in November. Hosted by Northeast Dairy Consortium and held in Lyons Falls, NY. Mixed team competitions with 14 colleges and universities represented.
2020. Organized and directed two international study trips to Italy and China in January 2020. Animal Science 2550 and 3560. Forty-nine students participated in the trip to Italy focused on the dairy industry and other agriculturally related industries through Lombardia, Reggio-Emilia, Tuscany and Lazio. Thirty-seven students participated in the trip to China to study dairy production systems, milk processing, conduct dairy farm evaluations with students from China Agriculture University and learn about Chinese history and culture.
2019. Coached and advised 18 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in November. Hosted by Northeast Dairy Consortium and held in Rochester, NY. Mixed team competitions.
2019. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April in Tifton, GA: Benjamin Dye, Nolan Feldpausch, Simon Johnson, and Christopher Sweeney. Second place finish.
2019. Organized and directed a study tour of agricultural production in the Central Valley of California. 53 students. Focused on dairy farms, cotton, feedlots, carrots, citrus, cheese and butter production and water management.
2018. Coached and advised 21 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in November. Hosted by Northeast Dairy Consortium and held in New Hampshire. Mixed team competitions.
2018. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April in Visalia, CA: Brittany Hill, Cooper Galton, Jacob Palladino and Keith Koerner. Second place finish.
2017-2018. Organized and directed two international study trips to Italy and China in January 2018. Animal Science 2550 and 3560. Forty-five students participated in the trip to Italy focused on the dairy industry and other agriculturally related industries through Lombardia, Reggio-Emilia and Lazio. Forty-seven students participated in the trip to China to study dairy production systems, milk processing, conduct dairy farm evaluations with students from China Agriculture University and learn about culture.
2017. Organized and directed a study tour of agricultural production in the Central Valley of California. 53 students. Focused on dairy farms, cotton, feedlots, carrots, citrus, cheese and butter production and water management.
2017. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April in Visalia, CA: Clyde Sammons, Jamie St. Pierre, Grant Feldpausch and Lauren Hill. First place overall.
2016. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April in Syracuse, NY: Josh Landis, Colleen Smith, Kelsey Neckers, Greg Van Ravenwaay. First place overall.
2015-2016. Organized and directed two international study trips to Italy and China in January 2016. Animal Science 2550 and 3560. Fifty-five students participated in the trip to Italy focused on the dairy industry and other agriculturally related industries through Lombardia, Reggio-Emilia and Lazio. Forty-two students participated in the trip to China to study dairy production systems, milk processing, conduct dairy farm evaluations with students from China Agriculture University and learn about culture.
2015. Coached and advised 20 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in November. Hosted by Northeast Dairy Consortium and held in Syracuse, NY. Mixed team competitions.
2015. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April in Syracuse, NY: Kristin King, Edward Facer, Meghan Vaill and Amanda Moretti. Second place overall.
2015. Organized and directed a study tour of agricultural production in the Central Valley of California. 55 students. Focused on dairy farms, cotton, feedlots, carrots, citrus, cheese and butter production and water management.
2014. oached and advised 18 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in November. Hosted by Delaware Valley College and held in Harrisburg, PA. Mixed team competitions.
2014. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April in Ft. Wayne, IN: Anna Laggis, Cassie Chittenden, Ralph Cunningham, Patrick Redman. First place overall.
2013-2014. Organized and directed two international study trips to Italy and Germany in January 2014. Animal Science 2550 and 3560. Forty-one students participated in the trip to Italy focused on the dairy industry and other agriculturally related industries through Lombardia, Tuscany, Reggio-Emilia and Lazio. Fifty-one students participated in the trip to Germany to study biogas energy production, European support systems for energy, agriculture and dairy production, and culture.
2013. Coached and advised 21 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in November. Hosted by Miner Institute and held in Chazy, NY. Mixed team competitions.
2013. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April in Ft. Wayne, IN: Anna Smith, Dylan Nelson, Matt Sharpe and Stephen Gould.
2013. Organized and directed a study tour of agricultural production in the Central Valley of California. 57 students. Focused on dairy farms, cotton, feedlots, carrots, citrus, cheese and butter production and water management.
2012. Coached and advised 24 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in November. Hosted by University of Maine and held in Waterville, ME. Mixed team competitions.
2012. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April: Ariel Garland, Daniel Durfee, Theodore Christoph, and Jordan Fisher. The team was one of 3 that placed in the Platinum category (first place) among 32 teams that competed in Virginia.
2011-2012. Organized and directed two international study trips to Italy and Germany in January and March 2012. Animal Science 2550 and 3560. Fifty-one students participated in the trip to Italy focused on the dairy industry and other agriculturally related industries through Lombardia, Tuscany, Reggio-Emilia and Lazio. Fifty-one students participated in the trip to Germany to study biogas energy production, European support systems for energy, agriculture and dairy production, and culture.
2011. Coached and advised 26 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in October. Hosted by SUNY Morrisville and held in Watertown, NY. Mixed team competitions.
2011. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April: Matthew Bull, Jason McNamara, Samuel Fessenden, and Corey Kayhart. The team placed in the Platinum category (first place) among 32 teams that competed in North Carolina.
2011. Organized and directed a study tour of agricultural production in the Central Valley of California. 54 students. Focused on dairy farms, cotton, feedlots, carrots, citrus, cheese and butter production and water management.
2010. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April: Breanna Fulper, Brett Feldpausch, Shane Reynolds, Chad Wall. The team placed in the Platinum category (first place) among 32 teams that competed at Visalia, CA.
2010. Coached and advised 18 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in October. Hosted by SUNY Alfred and held in Batavia, NY. Mixed team competitions.
2009-2010. Organized two international study trips to Italy and Germany in January and March 2010. Fifty- two students participated in the trip to Italy focused on the dairy industry and other agriculturally related industries through Tuscany, Reggio-Emilia and Lazio. Sixty-two students participated in the trip to Germany to study biogas energy production, European support systems for energy, agriculture and dairy production, and culture.
2009. Coached and advised 23 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in October. Hosted by SUNY Cobleskill and held in Glens Falls, NY. Mixed team competitions.
2009. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April: Betsey Howland, Libby Gaige, Chris Blauch, and Clayton Wood. The team placed in the Platinum category among 32 teams that competed at Syracuse, NY.
2009. Organized and directed a study tour of agricultural production in the Central Valley of California. 53 students. Focused on dairy farms, cotton, feedlots, carrots, citrus, cheese and butter production and water management.
2008. Coached and advised 22 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in October. Hosted by Pennsylvania State University and held in Harrrisburg, PA. Mixed team competitions.
2007-2008. Organized two sequential Cornell Dairy Club trips to Spain and Southern Italy in January 2008. Fifty-two students participated in the trip to Spain focused on the dairy industry and other agriculturally related industries from Madrid to Barcelona. Fifty-two students participated in the trip to Sicily and Rome where they studied the dairy industry, wine, grapes, olive oil production and traditional cheese production.
2008. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April: Dustin Bliss, Jordan Creek, Blake Lutz and Marcus Richards. The team placed in the Gold category (second place) among 32 teams that competed at Madison, WI.
2007-2009. Selected Co-Chair of the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge for 2009 to be held in Syracuse, NY.
2007. Coached and advised 20 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in October. Hosted by University of New Hampshire and held in Concord, NH. Mixed team competitions.
2007. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April: Kyle Getty, William Leone, Emily Myers and Zachary Waite. The team placed in the Platinum category among 31 teams that competed at Sioux Falls, SD.
2006. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April: Griffin Moag, Robert DiCarlo, Matthew Hanehan and Travis Allen. The team placed in the Platinum category among 30 teams that competed at Twin Falls, ID.
2006. Co-Chair Northeast Regional Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge: Host school and co-chair responsible for contest management and coordination for 15 regional colleges and 120 students. Held in Waterloo, NY.
2006. Coached and advised 19 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in October. Hosted by Cornell University and held in Waterloo, NY. Mixed team competitions.
2006. Developed the itinerary, arranged all of the travel, lodging and activities for 96 members of the Cornell Dairy Science Club’s study trip to Northern Italy in January. Study trip to learn production systems for Grana Padano, Parmigiano, Pecorino, and other famous cheeses, wine, buffalo and sheep dairy production, prosciutto, quota’s and DOP characteristics and rules.
2005. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April: Kirsty Smith, Andrew Durow, Matthew Alvernaz, Nicole Olynk. The team placed in the Platinum category (First place) among 30 teams that competed at State College, PA.
2005. Coached and advised 19 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in October. Hosted by the SUNY Morrisville. Mixed team competition.
2004-2005. Member of the Steering Committee charged with organizing the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge. The committee meets at least four times per year. Worked on Technology Committee, Fundraising, Farm Selection Committee.
2004. Coached and advised four senior Animal Science students at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in April: Bret Bossard, Darin Hill, Kendra Inman, and Kristin Quesnel. The team placed in the Platinum category (highest) among 30 teams that competed at State College, PA.
2004. Coached and advised 19 senior Animal Science students at the Northeast Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contest in October. Hosted by the University of Vermont. Mixed team competitions.
2003-2004. Developed the itinerary, arranged all of the travel, lodging and activities for 52 members of the Cornell Dairy Science Club’s trip to Southern England in January, 2004. The group visited many cities and regions in England (Bath, Exeter, Dover, London, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, the Eden Project, Stonehenge, etc.) and met with industry leaders and professionals to learn about their dairy industry, BSE, foot and mouth disease, quotas and European Union issues affecting trade and profitability.
RESEARCH RESPONSIBILITIES
GRANT SUPPORT Active Grants/Contracts/Gifts
From 1998 to current, over $14,000,000 in money and indirect support from industry. Work conducted with these monies include developing nutrient requirements for growing dairy cattle and elucidating mechanisms of mammary development in growing heifers. Further this includes improved understanding of nitrogen metabolism in growing and lactating dairy cattle and improved amino acid balancing in lactating dairy cattle. Additionally, much work has been conducted to improve the functionality and precision of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System model that is currently used to formulate diets for about 70% of the dairy cattle in North America.
2023. ENE23-188, Implementation of Improved Nutrient Requirement and Supply Predictions to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Dairy Production in the Northeast US. Northeast SARE Grant funded for $150,000.
2022. EDF-Cornell Atkinson Impact Grant. “Streamlining Assessment of Enteric Methane Inhibiting Drugs & Feed Additives for FDA Approval†$485,768. Co-PI’s Pearen (EDF), McFadden and Van Amburgh
2022. Dairy Management, Inc. Programming and development of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System version 7.0. $250,000. Awarded
2021. Dairy Management, Inc. Updates and modifications to the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System versions 6.55 and 7.0 to quantify, help manage and incrementally mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from dairy cattle. $194,000. Awarded
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grants Program
PI: Abbaspourrad, Alireza, Co-PI: Mike Van Amburgh. Project title: Targeted Delivery of Dietary Supplementation in Dairy Cow with Smart High Internal Phase Emulsion (HIPE) Platform. $500,000. Awarded.
Agriculture and Food Development Authority. Ireland. Teagasc Walsh Fellowship 2020.
PI: Van Amburgh. Co-PI: Brian McCarthy, Teagasc, Moorepark, Ireland. Proposal title: The investigation of milk fat depression in dairy cattle under intensive pasture based management systems†€22,000 per year for a joint Ph.D. student. (Approximately $100,000 total). Awarded. Put on hold due to pandemic.
Current Visiting Fellows/Ph.D.students/Postdoctoral Associates
- Andrew LaPierre, Ph.D. – postdoctoral associate
- Ananda B. Portela Fontoura – postdoctoral associate shared with Joe McFadden
Past Postdoctoral Associates/Visiting Fellows/non-degree students:
- Marie Oury 1999-2000
- Massimiliano Olivieri 1998
- Francesco Vizzini 2000 – 2001
- Dr. Wilhelm Knaus, Visiting Fellow, BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Department of Livestock Sciences, Vienna, Austria, Summer 2002
- Dr. Federico Righi, University of Parma, Italy, Fall, 2004
- Dr. Isa Fusaro, Dip.di Sc.degli Alimenti, Università di Teramo, Italy Fall 2006
- Dr. Jinshi Zhao, China Agricultural University, Fall, Spring, 2007-2008
- Dr. Hugo Bernal-Barragan, Fulbright Fellow, Mexico, 2008-2009, (Co-Host with Dr. Blake)
- Dr. Anusorn Cherdthong, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, 2009
- Dr. Zhijun Cao, Visiting Professor, China Agriculture University, 2010-2011
- Dr. Daniele Pederzani, DVM, non-degree Ph.D student, University of Parma, Parma, Italy 2011.
- Dr. Yongli Qu,College of Animal Science
- • Beatrice Tozzi, Ph.D. student, University of Pisa 2013.
- Linda Semprucci, graduate student, University of Parma 2013.
- Dr. Vera Lucia Banys, Associate Professor – UFG Universidade Federal de Goias/ Campus Jatai 2013.
- Ms. Thaiz Furtado Silva, DVM Student, UFG – Universidade Federal de Goias/ Campus Jatai 2013.
- Dr. Andreas Foskolos, postdoctoral associate 2012-2015
- Dr. Edgar Collao Sainz, visiting professor, 2012-2013
- Elena Bonfante, visiting Ph.D. student from University of Bologna 2016-2017.
- Maria Ercilda Rodriguez Prado, University of Barselona, Fall 2018.
- Mara Bertocchi, 2019
- Laura Denti, 2019
- Martina Cortese, University of Padua, Italy. 2019
- Andreas Zanotti University of Parma, Italy 2022
- Tommaso Danese, University of Parma, Italy 2022-2023
- Mikenzie Hanlon, University of Thessaly, Greece, 2022-2023
- Leandros Makridis, University of Thessaly, Greece, 2022-2023
GRADUATE FIELD MEMBERS:
- Member, Graduate Field of Animal Science
GRADUATE MAJORS:
Current:
- Alex Benoit, expected 2026
Total Completed:
• Maria Carolina Diaz, M.S. 1999
• Jeffery N. Tikofsky, M.S. 2001
• Julia Smith D.V.M., Ph.D 2002
• Juan Marini, Ph.D 2002
• Jenny Kelsey Mills, M.S. 2004
• Deborah Ross, M.S. 2004
• Matthew Meyer, Ph.D 2005
• Luis Nabte-Solis, M.S. 2007
• Erin Peterson, M.S. 2007
• Megan Hofherr, M.S. 2010
• Erin Recktenwald, Ph.D. 2010
• Emiliano Raffrenato, Ph.D. 2011
• Fernando Soberon, Ph.D. 2011
• Deborah Ross, Ph.D. 2012
• Marcelo Gutierrez, M.S. 2014
• Ryan Higgs, Ph.D. 2014
• Henning Haaren, MPS 2016
• Samuel Fessenden, Ph.D. 2016
• Alessandro Zontini, Ph.D. 2016
• Kaitlin Andrews, M.S. 2016
• Rodrigo Molano, Ph.D. 2020
• Michael Dineen, Ph.D. 2020
• P. Andrew LaPierre, Ph.D. 2021
• Ananda Barbara Fontoura, Ph.D. 2022
•Andres Ortega, Ph.D. 2023
GRADUATE MINORS:
Current:
- Antonio Carlos Ramos dos Santos, Ph.D. Animal Science
- Tate Nelson, Ph.D. Animal Science
- Jorge Armando Barrientos Blanco, Ph.D. Animal Science
- Trent Westhoff, Ph.D. Animal Science
- Maria Rebeca Villobos, M.S. Animal Science
- Gutierrez Oviedo, Fabian, Ph.D, Animal Science, Nutrition
- You, Charlie, Ph.D., Animal Science, Nutrition
- Ferro, Liza, Ph.D. Animal Science
Total Completed:
- Rogerio de Paula Lana, Ph.D. 1997
- Miriam Louise Kelly, M.S. 1998
- Rodrigo Ruiz, Ph.D. 2001
- Pablo Jose Guiroy, Ph.D. 2001
- Denis Osman Molina Benitez, Ph.D. 2002
- Joseph Eisele, M.P.S. 2002
- Claudia Coen, Ph.D. 2002
- Michael Baker, Ph.D. 2003
- Benjamin Corl, Ph.D. 2003
- Robert Rhoads, Ph.D. 2003
- Kathleen Ogborn, M.P.S. 2005
- Tricia Stewart, M.S. (Education) 2005
- Cristina Lanzas, Ph.D. 2006
- Seong Wong Seo, Ph.D. 2006
- Fernando Soberon, M.S. 2007
- Manolo Ramos-Nieves, M. S. 2007
- Omar Cristobal, M.S. 2009
- Ryan Higgs, M.S. 2009
- Kimberly Morrill, M.S. Animal Science (University of New Hampshire – external committee member) 2009
- Laurie Winkleman, Ph.D. 2011
- Manolo Ramos-Nieves, Ph.D. Animal Science, 2013
- Victor Absalon-Medina, Ph.D. Animal Science, 2013
- Crystal Davenport, M.S. Nutritional Sciences, 2013
- Maris Mayumi McCarthy, Ph.D., Animal Science, 2015
- Carla Foditsch, M.S. Animal Science, 2015
- Luciana S Caixeta, Ph.D. Animal Science 2016
- Christopher Krumm, Ph.D., Animal Science 2016
- Benjamin Donald Scott, M.S., Animal Science 2016
- Larissa Vieira Di Marzo, M.S. Food Science 2017
- Andre Gustavo Vieira Teixera, Ph.D. Animal Science, 2018
- Sarah Elizabeth LaCount, Ph.D. Animal Science, 2019
- Leonardo Bringhenti, PhD. Animal Science, 2019
- Allison Kerwin, Ph.D. Animal Science, 2021
- Matilde Portnoy, Ph.D. Food Science, 2023
External Examiner:
- Alexandra Sly, Ph.D. University of Pretoria, South Africa. 2019
- John Doelman, Ph.D. University of Guelph – External Examiner, 2011
Undergraduate Honors students:
- Alexandria Benoit, 2020
- Julia Fouts, 2020
- Courtney Hoff, 2018
- Haowen Hu, 2018
- Andres Ortega, 2017
- Paul Andrew Lapierre, 2014
- Daniel Lopez, 2012
- Kristen Russomanno, 2012 (Biology and Society major)
- Jason McNamara II, 2011
- Samuel Fessenden, 2011
- Scott Brown, 2011
- Chad Wall, 2010
- Jenny Mills, 2001
- Amy Bork, 1999
- Monica Foote, 1999
- Jacob Voorhees, 1999
- Sarah Wilson, 1998
OTHER CURRENT PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:
• American Dairy Science Association
• American Society of Animal Science
PROFESSIONAL HONORARIES:
• National Dairy Shrine
EDITORIAL BOARDS:
- Ad-hoc reviewer Journal of Dairy Science
- Ad hoc reviewer for the Journal of Animal Science
- Ad hoc reviewer for Animal Feed Science and Technology
- Ad hoc reviewer for Journal of Nutrition
- Ad-hoc reviewer for Livestock Science
- Ad-hoc reviewer for Animals
- Ad-hock reviewer for Animal
- Ad-hock reviewer for Journal of Endocrinology
- Ad-hock reviewer for Professional Animal Scientist
- Ad-hock reviewer for Grass and Forage Science
- Ad-hock reviewer for Animal Production Science
- Ad-hock reviewer for PlosOne
- Ad-hock reviewer for Biotechnology and Bioengenering
- Ad-hock reviewer for Lipids
- Ad-hock reviewer for Agronomy
- Ad-hock reviewer for Applied Animal Science (formerly Professional Animal Science)
- Ad-hock reviewer for Amino Acids
- Ad-hock reviewer for Journal of Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
- Ad-hock reviewer for Veterinary Medicine and Science
- Ad-hock reviewer for Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry