K-State to advance training in livestock disease genomics through USDA-NIFA National Needs Fellowship grant

Kansas State University researchers collaborate on innovative approaches to studying livestock disease genomics. Through the USDA-NIFA National Needs Fellowship grant, K-State will support graduate student fellows who will advance research in animal production and disease prevention. | Download this photo.

By Rylee Coy
College of Veterinary Medicine

Thursday, March 13, 2025

 

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University will soon offer groundbreaking integrated training for graduate students in the pathobiology and genomics of livestock diseases to address critical expertise shortages in animal production and advance research in livestock disease management.

Thanks to a prestigious U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture, or USDA-NIFA, National Needs Fellowship grant, K-State will offer the Integrated Training in the Pathobiology and Genomics of Livestock Diseases fellowship program. This will be a collaborative effort involving key partners across K-State, including the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Division of Biology. Laura Miller, associate professor of veterinary virology, spearheaded the proposal in partnership with Bradley Olson, director of the Data Science Core for the Kansas INBRE and an associate professor of biology.

The program will address a targeted expertise shortage area in animal production, focusing on the disciplines of animal science and veterinary medicine. It will fund four graduate students — two master's students and two doctoral students — and provide them with opportunities to engage in advanced interdisciplinary research and training.

The program is designed to recruit and train students who are committed to advancing the animal production targeted expertise shortage area. Fellows will engage in an interdisciplinary curriculum, gaining expertise in transboundary diseases, vaccine development, epidemiology, food safety and advanced genomic techniques. The training will equip students with the skills needed to tackle global challenges in livestock health and production while fostering communication, ethical reasoning and innovative research approaches.

"This fellowship program, Integrated Training in the Pathobiology and Genomics of Livestock Diseases, is a step toward bridging the interdisciplinary gap between computer science and biology," Miller said. "By empowering students with expertise in both fields, we are cultivating a new generation of innovators. These future leaders will be equipped to tackle complex challenges in livestock disease, strengthening K-State's research capacity and contributing to the sustainability of national agriculture."

K-State is training the next generation of scientists in animal production and livestock disease genomics. Pictured above is Laura Miller, associate professor of veterinary virology, with her research team, who will collaborate with future fellows. From left: Mahamudul Hasan, master's student in veterinary biomedical science; Rachael Weiderman, doctoral student in pathobiology; Erin Schirtzinger, research assistant professor and lab manager; Miller; and Shristi Ghirmire, research associate. | Download this photo.

The fellowship program boasts a robust team of mentors with national and international expertise, including Douglas Shane, professor of practice in animal health, K-State Olathe; Majid Jaberi-Douraki, professor of mathematics and data science and director of the 1DATA and FARAD programs, K-State Olathe; Xuan Xu, assistant professor of statistics; Maci Mueller, assistant professor of animal sciences and industry; Jayme A. Souza-Neto, assistant professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology; and Callie Rost, assistant dean for admissions, College of Veterinary Medicine.

The recruitment process will leverage established Hatch Multistate projects, including NSRP8: Genomic Capacity, and ongoing proposals with USDA-NIFA and the Academic Innovation Fund. These collaborations ensure a well-funded and resource-rich environment for the fellows.

This program builds on a strong foundation of success. One of Miller's previous postdoctoral fellows, Damarius Fleming, received similar fellowship support during his doctoral studies and now serves as a scientist at the USDA.

"This is an incredible opportunity for students to train in the next generation of careers heading off livestock diseases using AI-assisted analysis of genomic data with traditional disease genomics," Olson said.

To be eligible for the fellowship, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who demonstrate financial need and are pursuing a graduate degree in a field addressing animal health as a national priority, such as the veterinary biomedical sciences program or the diagnostic medicine and pathobiology program.

K-State students interested in pursuing advanced studies in livestock disease genomics can apply now by contacting Miller at lauracmiller@vet.k-state.edu.

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