Lincoln, Neb. — University of Nebraska-Lincoln doctorate candidate Drew Lakamp is researching if an animal’s genetics impact its microbiome. This information could be used to predict cattle performance and help reduce diseases in cattle through genetic selection.

Lakamp is from New Berlin, Illinois, and studying animal breeding and genetics. After graduation, Lakamp is hoping to do a combination of teaching, research, and Extension outreach to producers for a land-grant university.

Lakamp became interested in genetics as a child when he was showing cattle. It is expensive to buy high-quality show cattle. Lakamp found that it was cheaper to buy semen and eggs rather than a live animal. While he never got to build the show string of his dreams, this realization set his life’s trajectory. Lakamp knew he wanted to get a doctorate in animal breeding and came to finish his education at UNL because he believes it has one of the best beef research programs. Lakamp is working under Matt Spangler, a professor of animal science.

Read the full article on IANR News.