Project Team (alphabetically) back
Main Team
Research Students (UVM, Animal Sciences Dept.)
Research Technician
Collaborators
- Dr. Juan Alvez (UVM, Center for Sustainable Agriculture)
- Dr. John Barlow (UVM, Animal Sciences Dept.)
- Dr. Jana Kraft (UVM, Animal Sciences Dept.)
- Dr. Joe Roman (UVM, Rubenstein School of Env. & Nat. Resources - Gund Institute for Ecological Economics)
Research Students (UVM, Animal Sciences Dept.)
- Melissa Bainbridge (PhD Student)
- Emily Egolf
- Mandy L. Erdei
- Robert Mugabi (PhD Student)
Research Technician
- Jimmy Aruzamen (UVM Research Technician)
Collaborators
- Jennifer Colby (UVM, Center for Sustainable Agriculture)
- Dr. Joshua Farley (UVM, Community dev. & Applied Econ.- Gund Institute for Ecological Economics)
- Dr. Abdon L. Schmitt (Univ. Federal Santa Catarina, Brazil)
Main Team
Juan Alvez
Comes from a two-generation pasture-based family farm in Rivera, Uruguay. He obtained his BS in Agronomy in Brazil, his MS in Plant and Soil Science with Bill Murphy and his Ph.D. in Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. He has experienced interdisciplinary research in grazing management, agroecology, ecosystems goods and services, land use change, conservation policy, green markets, and ecological economics. His work addresses environmental, social and productive aspects of grazing farms, with emphasis on dairy management, ecosystems conservation and sustainable livelihoods in Vermont and New England. In his study, grasslands play a key role because they are complex ecosystems that sustain a vast array of functions and processes delivering benefits for supporting healthy environments and communities.
Link to Webpage
Comes from a two-generation pasture-based family farm in Rivera, Uruguay. He obtained his BS in Agronomy in Brazil, his MS in Plant and Soil Science with Bill Murphy and his Ph.D. in Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. He has experienced interdisciplinary research in grazing management, agroecology, ecosystems goods and services, land use change, conservation policy, green markets, and ecological economics. His work addresses environmental, social and productive aspects of grazing farms, with emphasis on dairy management, ecosystems conservation and sustainable livelihoods in Vermont and New England. In his study, grasslands play a key role because they are complex ecosystems that sustain a vast array of functions and processes delivering benefits for supporting healthy environments and communities.
Link to Webpage
John Barlow
Dr. Barlow is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Vermont. He received his Bachelor of Science in Pathobiology from the University of Connecticut in 1988. He graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Illinois in 1992. After veterinary school, he spent three years in private mixed animal practice where he focused on dairy cattle medicine. In 1995, John started work at the University of Vermont as a post-doctoral researcher studying mammary gland development and endocrine regulation of breast cancer under Dr. Karren Plaut. During the next six years, he continued to work in the Department of Animal Science as a Research and Extension Associate before beginning his Ph.D. studies. Dr. Barlow completed his Ph.D. in Molecular and Mathematical Epidemiology in 2009, under the guidance of Drs. John Bramley and Ynte Schukken. From Spring 2008 through Fall 2010, John was the Faculty Advisor for the UVM CREAM program. In September 2010, Dr. Barlow began his current tenure-track position.
Link to Webpage
Dr. Barlow is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Vermont. He received his Bachelor of Science in Pathobiology from the University of Connecticut in 1988. He graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Illinois in 1992. After veterinary school, he spent three years in private mixed animal practice where he focused on dairy cattle medicine. In 1995, John started work at the University of Vermont as a post-doctoral researcher studying mammary gland development and endocrine regulation of breast cancer under Dr. Karren Plaut. During the next six years, he continued to work in the Department of Animal Science as a Research and Extension Associate before beginning his Ph.D. studies. Dr. Barlow completed his Ph.D. in Molecular and Mathematical Epidemiology in 2009, under the guidance of Drs. John Bramley and Ynte Schukken. From Spring 2008 through Fall 2010, John was the Faculty Advisor for the UVM CREAM program. In September 2010, Dr. Barlow began his current tenure-track position.
Link to Webpage
Jana Kraft
Dr. Kraft holds a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences and a Ph.D. in Nutritional Physiology/Lipid Biochemistry from the University of Jena in Germany. After a period of postdoctoral work at both the University of Jena and the University of Vermont, she has joined the Department of Animal Science as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Kraft's research at the interface of animal science and human nutrition integrates ruminant nutrition and utilization of animal models to determine factors influencing the nutritional quality of ruminant-derived fats/fatty acids and their role in prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome. The overall objective of Dr. Kraft's research program is to gain a better understanding of how lipids and bioactive fatty acids influence established and emerging risk factors/biomarkers linked to the metabolic syndrome, especially as it relates to the impact of maternal lipid and fatty acid consumption during pregnancy and lactation as a determinant of lifelong well-being and risk of disease development. Another area of her research includes the lipid and fatty acid analysis of numerous matrices such as oils/fats, feed, food items, tissues/organs, blood components (e.g., plasma, erythrocyte membranes), and ruminal/intestinal digesta. Current research efforts focus on the analysis of the trans-fatty acid content and profile of food items in a large scale survey to establish a comprehensive database accessible to academia and industry.
Link to Webpage
Dr. Kraft holds a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences and a Ph.D. in Nutritional Physiology/Lipid Biochemistry from the University of Jena in Germany. After a period of postdoctoral work at both the University of Jena and the University of Vermont, she has joined the Department of Animal Science as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Kraft's research at the interface of animal science and human nutrition integrates ruminant nutrition and utilization of animal models to determine factors influencing the nutritional quality of ruminant-derived fats/fatty acids and their role in prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome. The overall objective of Dr. Kraft's research program is to gain a better understanding of how lipids and bioactive fatty acids influence established and emerging risk factors/biomarkers linked to the metabolic syndrome, especially as it relates to the impact of maternal lipid and fatty acid consumption during pregnancy and lactation as a determinant of lifelong well-being and risk of disease development. Another area of her research includes the lipid and fatty acid analysis of numerous matrices such as oils/fats, feed, food items, tissues/organs, blood components (e.g., plasma, erythrocyte membranes), and ruminal/intestinal digesta. Current research efforts focus on the analysis of the trans-fatty acid content and profile of food items in a large scale survey to establish a comprehensive database accessible to academia and industry.
Link to Webpage
Joe Roman
is a conservation biologist and author with research interests in biodiversity and ecosystem services, biological invasions, marine population genetics, and marine ecology. His broad research interests span endangered species policy, marine mammals, and biodiversity and human health. Joe teaches marine ecology and graduate workshops (ateliers) on emerging problems of conservation interest, such as marine spatial planning and the disease ecology of bats. Joe came to the Gund Institute as an Environmental Policy Fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. During his AAAS fellowship, he helped start an interdisciplinary program on Biodiversity and Human Health at the US Environmental Protection Agency. He is also a research associate at the New England Aquarium. Joe is the author of Listed: Dispatches from America’s Endangered Species Act (Harvard University Press, 2011), the history and economics of endangered species conservation, and Whale (Reaktion 2006), a cultural and population history of whales and whaling. His science and nature writing has appeared in The New York Times, New Scientist, Audubon, Conservation, among others. His research has been covered by the Associated Press, National Public Radio, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and other outlets. Joe has also completed work related to invasive species genetics and heads a public online forum, Eat the Invaders.
AT UVM: Joe Roman is a Research Assistant Professor at the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources.
Link to Webpage
is a conservation biologist and author with research interests in biodiversity and ecosystem services, biological invasions, marine population genetics, and marine ecology. His broad research interests span endangered species policy, marine mammals, and biodiversity and human health. Joe teaches marine ecology and graduate workshops (ateliers) on emerging problems of conservation interest, such as marine spatial planning and the disease ecology of bats. Joe came to the Gund Institute as an Environmental Policy Fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. During his AAAS fellowship, he helped start an interdisciplinary program on Biodiversity and Human Health at the US Environmental Protection Agency. He is also a research associate at the New England Aquarium. Joe is the author of Listed: Dispatches from America’s Endangered Species Act (Harvard University Press, 2011), the history and economics of endangered species conservation, and Whale (Reaktion 2006), a cultural and population history of whales and whaling. His science and nature writing has appeared in The New York Times, New Scientist, Audubon, Conservation, among others. His research has been covered by the Associated Press, National Public Radio, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and other outlets. Joe has also completed work related to invasive species genetics and heads a public online forum, Eat the Invaders.
AT UVM: Joe Roman is a Research Assistant Professor at the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources.
Link to Webpage
Research Students
Melissa Bainbridge
Melissa is originally from Burlington, Massachusetts. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 2011 with a B.S. in Animal Science. She then spent the next two years working as a field technician for the Vermont Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Melissa will be working on her Ph.D. in Animal, Nutrition and Food Sciences with Dr. Jana Kraft. Her research will focus on improving the nutritional attributes of milk, concentrating on bioactive fatty acids, to promote both human and animal health. Melissa also enjoys hiking, cooking and running.
Melissa's areas of interest: Improving the bioactive compounds of milk to promote human and animal health.
Melissa is originally from Burlington, Massachusetts. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 2011 with a B.S. in Animal Science. She then spent the next two years working as a field technician for the Vermont Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Melissa will be working on her Ph.D. in Animal, Nutrition and Food Sciences with Dr. Jana Kraft. Her research will focus on improving the nutritional attributes of milk, concentrating on bioactive fatty acids, to promote both human and animal health. Melissa also enjoys hiking, cooking and running.
Melissa's areas of interest: Improving the bioactive compounds of milk to promote human and animal health.
Emily Egolf
I am from just outside of Baltimore, Maryland. I am a senior Animal Science major with a pre-veterinary concentration. I also work in Dr. Kraft’s lab researching the factors affecting the fatty acid composition of bovine milk. I am extremely interested in large animal medicine. I focused in on this area of interest through my experience working on a dairy farm and as a large animal vet intern. I chose to do CREAM because I wanted to gain more experience with the business and planning side of running a dairy farm. So far, CREAM has provided me with everything I wanted it to. I am sure this summer will be a priceless experience. After college I hope to continue on to veterinary school. Some of my other interests include running, baking, and reading.
I am from just outside of Baltimore, Maryland. I am a senior Animal Science major with a pre-veterinary concentration. I also work in Dr. Kraft’s lab researching the factors affecting the fatty acid composition of bovine milk. I am extremely interested in large animal medicine. I focused in on this area of interest through my experience working on a dairy farm and as a large animal vet intern. I chose to do CREAM because I wanted to gain more experience with the business and planning side of running a dairy farm. So far, CREAM has provided me with everything I wanted it to. I am sure this summer will be a priceless experience. After college I hope to continue on to veterinary school. Some of my other interests include running, baking, and reading.
Mandy L. Erdei
I am junior undergraduate student at UVM with a major in Animal Science (Pre-Vet concentration) and a double minor in Chemistry and Computer Science (Web Design concentration). This is my second year with the Barlow Lab and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Outside of academics, I enjoy singing, cooking, and hope one day to become a shelter/emergency veterinarian and a web designer on the side. This is my first HTML/CSS website.
Currently, I am dividing my work between data management with Robert and assisting Sam as he works on S. aureus typing and developing the high-throughput strain typing system. Over the summer, I assisted Robert with different Staphylococcus projects and developed skills in basic microbiology and bacteriology, including gram staining, streaking, multiplex PCR, and bacteria identification. I also contribute to the general housekeeping of the lab with data entry, plate labeling, tip filling, and dish washing.
I am junior undergraduate student at UVM with a major in Animal Science (Pre-Vet concentration) and a double minor in Chemistry and Computer Science (Web Design concentration). This is my second year with the Barlow Lab and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Outside of academics, I enjoy singing, cooking, and hope one day to become a shelter/emergency veterinarian and a web designer on the side. This is my first HTML/CSS website.
Currently, I am dividing my work between data management with Robert and assisting Sam as he works on S. aureus typing and developing the high-throughput strain typing system. Over the summer, I assisted Robert with different Staphylococcus projects and developed skills in basic microbiology and bacteriology, including gram staining, streaking, multiplex PCR, and bacteria identification. I also contribute to the general housekeeping of the lab with data entry, plate labeling, tip filling, and dish washing.
Robert Mugabi
My research focuses on understanding the molecular epidemiology, biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Staphylococcus species on artisan cheese producing dairy farms in Vermont. Staphylococcus species are the common cause of mastitis in dairy cattle with enormous economic losses to the farmers. Over the years S. aureus (coagulase positive) was considered the most important pathogen in this genus. However recent findings indicate that the majority of other species (coagulase negative species) are becoming more important too. Although their role in bovine mastitis is still debatable, speciation, phenotyping and genotyping will give more insight on their role, host-pathogen interaction and therapeutic options to the farmers. The bacteria in this genus are not only of veterinary importance but also have a zoonotic potential. In this project, using molecular typing tools I will be able to elucidate the important sources of milk contamination. This will help farmers know the critical control points (CCPs).
My research focuses on understanding the molecular epidemiology, biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Staphylococcus species on artisan cheese producing dairy farms in Vermont. Staphylococcus species are the common cause of mastitis in dairy cattle with enormous economic losses to the farmers. Over the years S. aureus (coagulase positive) was considered the most important pathogen in this genus. However recent findings indicate that the majority of other species (coagulase negative species) are becoming more important too. Although their role in bovine mastitis is still debatable, speciation, phenotyping and genotyping will give more insight on their role, host-pathogen interaction and therapeutic options to the farmers. The bacteria in this genus are not only of veterinary importance but also have a zoonotic potential. In this project, using molecular typing tools I will be able to elucidate the important sources of milk contamination. This will help farmers know the critical control points (CCPs).
Research Technician
Jimmy Aruzamen
Jimmy Aruzamen earned his B.S. in Veterinary and Animal Science from the Universidad Mayor de San Simon in Cochabamba, Bolivia. In his home town he worked as a municipal veterinarian, caring for large and small animals as well as running vaccination campaigns and animal husbandry programs for rural farmers. Jimmy later worked with non-governmental organizations where he taught animal care skills to associations of rural chicken, pork, and dairy producers with the goal of improving food security in rural Bolivia. Jimmy moved to the USA in 2011. He worked in Boston for two years as an Animal Technician first at Brandeis University then at Massachusetts General Hospital. During this time he was learning new techniques, and in 2013 he earned his certificate as a Registered Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician from AALAS. Currently he is working on the Biodiversity and Livestock Well-being Project where he is happy to help the PIs, graduate, and undergraduate students reach their goals. In the future, Jimmy aspires to earn his master’s degree so that he can pursue his interests in veterinary science and parasitology.
Jimmy Aruzamen earned his B.S. in Veterinary and Animal Science from the Universidad Mayor de San Simon in Cochabamba, Bolivia. In his home town he worked as a municipal veterinarian, caring for large and small animals as well as running vaccination campaigns and animal husbandry programs for rural farmers. Jimmy later worked with non-governmental organizations where he taught animal care skills to associations of rural chicken, pork, and dairy producers with the goal of improving food security in rural Bolivia. Jimmy moved to the USA in 2011. He worked in Boston for two years as an Animal Technician first at Brandeis University then at Massachusetts General Hospital. During this time he was learning new techniques, and in 2013 he earned his certificate as a Registered Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician from AALAS. Currently he is working on the Biodiversity and Livestock Well-being Project where he is happy to help the PIs, graduate, and undergraduate students reach their goals. In the future, Jimmy aspires to earn his master’s degree so that he can pursue his interests in veterinary science and parasitology.
Collaborators
Jennifer Colby
Jenn is the Pasture Program Coordinator at the Center for Sustainable Agriculture, after ten years working in organic dairy and environmental project management. She strives on a daily basis to blend her passions for grass-based farming, home-grown BBQ, community development, martial arts, music and pottery. She raises sheep, poultry and pigs in East Randolph, and has a shared farming arrangement with family in Randolph Center. Jenn has a B.S. in Animal Science from UVM and was awarded an MS in Community Development and Applied Economics in December 2011 after working on a thesis focusing on the impacts of grass-based livestock farms on Vermont's quality of life.
Link to Webpage
Jenn is the Pasture Program Coordinator at the Center for Sustainable Agriculture, after ten years working in organic dairy and environmental project management. She strives on a daily basis to blend her passions for grass-based farming, home-grown BBQ, community development, martial arts, music and pottery. She raises sheep, poultry and pigs in East Randolph, and has a shared farming arrangement with family in Randolph Center. Jenn has a B.S. in Animal Science from UVM and was awarded an MS in Community Development and Applied Economics in December 2011 after working on a thesis focusing on the impacts of grass-based livestock farms on Vermont's quality of life.
Link to Webpage
Joshua Farley
Josh is an ecological economist who holds degrees in biology, international affairs and economics. At the Gund, Josh is researching and writing on monetary and fiscal policy for a steady state economy; working on a UTC funded project on the relationship between bicycles, transportation sustainability, and quality of life; and researching interconnections between agroecology, ecosystem services, economic institutions and human welfare in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Dr. Farley focuses on mechanisms for allocating resources under local control and national sovereignty that generate global public goods, developing transdisciplinary case study approaches to environmental problem solving as an educational tool, ecological restoration of rainforest ecosystems, economic globalization, and the valuation and finance of restoring natural capital.
Link to Webpage
Josh is an ecological economist who holds degrees in biology, international affairs and economics. At the Gund, Josh is researching and writing on monetary and fiscal policy for a steady state economy; working on a UTC funded project on the relationship between bicycles, transportation sustainability, and quality of life; and researching interconnections between agroecology, ecosystem services, economic institutions and human welfare in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Dr. Farley focuses on mechanisms for allocating resources under local control and national sovereignty that generate global public goods, developing transdisciplinary case study approaches to environmental problem solving as an educational tool, ecological restoration of rainforest ecosystems, economic globalization, and the valuation and finance of restoring natural capital.
Link to Webpage
Abdon L. Schmitt Filho
He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Vermont Pasture USA (2007) and MSc in Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Vermont (1994). He is currently professor at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, where he coordinates the Laboratory of silvopastoral systems. Has experience in agro-ecological interface between animal production and environmental performance of production systems regenerative functions and ecosystem services. Operates mainly in the areas of agroecology, Voisin grazing, biodiverse silvopastoral systems, functions and ecosystem services and recovery agroecosystems. Recently published chapters in books "The Ecosystem Promise" - Partner in communications and sustainable development, Bunnik, The Netherlands (2012) and "Governing the Provision of Environmental Services" - Springer Verlag, New York (2013). In recent years he published over a hundred papers in scientific journals and Conference Proceedings national and international. Mentored 51 students and teacher was honored five times the CCA / UFSC. Currently co-coaches a Master Student, Department of Environmental Sciences of Wageningen University Netherlands a Masters student at the School of Natural Resources at the University of Vermont and a Post-Doctorate CiVi.net of the Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research ZALF German project. Coordinating Group Voisin Grazing UFSC, is co-responsible for the implementation of 572 projects based Livestock grazing on the hillside of the Sierra Santa Catarina. All these projects were developed and deployed by academics and farmers while in the training process. Teachers received Joshua Farley (2009) and Joe Roman (2012) of the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics at the University of Vermont as Visiting Researchers in international cooperation project Agroecology and Payment of Ecosystem Services
He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Vermont Pasture USA (2007) and MSc in Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Vermont (1994). He is currently professor at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, where he coordinates the Laboratory of silvopastoral systems. Has experience in agro-ecological interface between animal production and environmental performance of production systems regenerative functions and ecosystem services. Operates mainly in the areas of agroecology, Voisin grazing, biodiverse silvopastoral systems, functions and ecosystem services and recovery agroecosystems. Recently published chapters in books "The Ecosystem Promise" - Partner in communications and sustainable development, Bunnik, The Netherlands (2012) and "Governing the Provision of Environmental Services" - Springer Verlag, New York (2013). In recent years he published over a hundred papers in scientific journals and Conference Proceedings national and international. Mentored 51 students and teacher was honored five times the CCA / UFSC. Currently co-coaches a Master Student, Department of Environmental Sciences of Wageningen University Netherlands a Masters student at the School of Natural Resources at the University of Vermont and a Post-Doctorate CiVi.net of the Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research ZALF German project. Coordinating Group Voisin Grazing UFSC, is co-responsible for the implementation of 572 projects based Livestock grazing on the hillside of the Sierra Santa Catarina. All these projects were developed and deployed by academics and farmers while in the training process. Teachers received Joshua Farley (2009) and Joe Roman (2012) of the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics at the University of Vermont as Visiting Researchers in international cooperation project Agroecology and Payment of Ecosystem Services