In case you missed last Tuesday's meeting, here's the low-down on the opportunities in Dr. Oberbauer and Katie Smith's labs:
Dr. Anita Oberbauer
Dr. Oberbauer is not only a professor in the Animal Science department, but is also the department chair. Her ongoing lab work includes researching genetic traits and regulations of dogs and cattle. She is looking for what causes cattle lameness and hoof lesions (hoof rot, abscesses) in cattle. This is primarily in order for producers to make more efficient animals. However, in domestic dogs, Oberbauer is looking to see how breeders can select against certain traits. For instance in bearded collies, they are more susceptible to symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy (essentially when the toenails fall off). To learn more about her research, click here. She is currently looking for interns. Look below for more details
What are the skills I need?
What would I be doing as an intern?
You would be looking at gene sequencing in Excel files. You are trying to find a DNA mutation or a change in the DNA sequences. Oberbauer said eventually you might get to swab dogs' cheeks for DNA sampling. However, it is very unlikely as it is research in genetics.
What else did she talk about since she is the Animal Science Department Chair?
She spoke about a new summer research program that partners UCD School of Veterinary Medicine (UCDSOVM) with the Department of Animal Science in order to "pipeline" underrepresented communities into the world of veterinary medicine. The program spans 6 weeks over the summer where a student will be paired with a faculty member. The student will learn skills in both communication and research. Communication is a big deal in the veterinary medicine world as you are dealing with species that cannot talk for themselves. You are dealing with animals' owners so you need to learn how to communicate. Applications will be coming out soon. I will make sure to update you in weekly announcements regarding this opportunity
- Interest in the research
- Attention to detail
- Patience
- Reliability (I personally would stress this as most important)
- Ability to follow directions
- Familiar with Excel
What would I be doing as an intern?
You would be looking at gene sequencing in Excel files. You are trying to find a DNA mutation or a change in the DNA sequences. Oberbauer said eventually you might get to swab dogs' cheeks for DNA sampling. However, it is very unlikely as it is research in genetics.
What else did she talk about since she is the Animal Science Department Chair?
She spoke about a new summer research program that partners UCD School of Veterinary Medicine (UCDSOVM) with the Department of Animal Science in order to "pipeline" underrepresented communities into the world of veterinary medicine. The program spans 6 weeks over the summer where a student will be paired with a faculty member. The student will learn skills in both communication and research. Communication is a big deal in the veterinary medicine world as you are dealing with species that cannot talk for themselves. You are dealing with animals' owners so you need to learn how to communicate. Applications will be coming out soon. I will make sure to update you in weekly announcements regarding this opportunity
Katie SMith
Katie Smith is a PhD candidate in the Wildlife, Fish & Conservation Biology Department. Her research focuses on ways to improve management and conservation of salt marsh harvest mouse and waterfowl in the Suisun marsh. What makes this project special is that the salt marsh harvest mouse is an endangered species. They are an endangered species due to the habitat losses caused by city expansion. If you want to learn more, email her or check out the project's Facebook page. She is also looking for volunteers to help out.
What will I be doing as a volunteer?
You will be doing anything from trapping to telemetry. Because the salt marsh harvest mouse is a nocturnal animal, there are some crazy shifts ranging from 12:00 AM to 6:00 AM. You can look at more times in their volunteer spreadsheet. For completing so many hours, she will also give you gifts such as hats, t-shirts and sweatshirts. Pretty cool.
How do I become a volunteer?
Email Katie.
How do I get to the marsh?
There are carpools available. Don't worry if you do not have a car in Davis.
You will be doing anything from trapping to telemetry. Because the salt marsh harvest mouse is a nocturnal animal, there are some crazy shifts ranging from 12:00 AM to 6:00 AM. You can look at more times in their volunteer spreadsheet. For completing so many hours, she will also give you gifts such as hats, t-shirts and sweatshirts. Pretty cool.
How do I become a volunteer?
Email Katie.
How do I get to the marsh?
There are carpools available. Don't worry if you do not have a car in Davis.
Other Research Opportunities
- Rumor has it, Dr. Frank Mitloehner is also looking for interns for upcoming projects. Because he was not in attendance at our meeting, I do not know what kinds of research opportunities he has available. It is best if you email him.
- Dr. Yanhong Liu is looking for one or two students to help assist with finding research articles approximately 6-9 hours a week. You can earn anywhere between 2-3 units of internship credit. She is a new faculty member of the Animal Science department. Her interests include non-nutritional supplements affecting animal gut health and the immune system. These supplements may include plant extracts, enzymes, direct-fed microbes, and others. If interested, please send her an email.