Dr. Haley Larson: Ruminant Nutrition Understanding | Ep. 44
Sep 27, 2023
auto_awesome
Dr. Haley Larson, an esteemed Assistant Professor at Kansas State University, discusses her experiences in ruminant nutrition, including gaining confidence in a room of industry professionals and the value of networking. They explore topics such as undergraduate research exposure, in situ and continuous culture fermentation techniques, teaching graduate-level courses for industry-driven career growth, industry experience in the classroom, combating mycotoxins, and the challenges of studying rumen microbiology.
Dr. Haley Larson emphasizes the significance of research in ruminant nutrition and the use of in vitro and in situ methods to gain insights into adaption and ecological interactions in ruminant fermentation.
Dr. Larson discusses the importance of incorporating industry members into the classroom to expose students to career opportunities and foster creativity, while also addressing the challenges of balancing flexibility and effective communication in a diverse, non-traditional student base.
Deep dives
Blending Academic Legacy and Industry Experience
Dr. Stephanie Hansen discusses her unique position that blends her academic legacy and industry experience, allowing her to have a unique outreach and impact. She highlights the importance of communication in the beef industry and the rapidly emerging era of communication. Dr. Hansen also expresses gratitude towards the innovative companies and products that support and make the podcast possible.
Dr. Haley Larson's Origin Story in the Beef Industry
Dr. Haley Larson shares her background and journey in the beef industry. Despite not growing up on a farm, she was inspired by her grandparents' cow-calf operation and decided to pursue a career in beef production. Starting with an animal science degree, she later transitioned to a Ph.D. in ruminant nutrition. Her experience in academia and industry molded her passion for helping students transition from academia to industry.
Importance of Research in Ruminant Nutrition
Dr. Larson highlights the significance of research in ruminant nutrition and the various techniques used. She explains the role of in vitro and in situ methods in conducting research. These techniques allow scientists to screen candidates, understand adaption and ecological interactions, and obtain snapshots of ruminant fermentation. Dr. Larson emphasizes the combination of creativity and scientific thinking to drive research and create valuable insights for the industry.
Teaching and Mentoring Non-Traditional Graduate Students
Dr. Larson discusses her role in teaching and mentoring non-traditional graduate students, particularly those embedded in companies. She focuses on bridging the transition between academia and industry, developing applied skills, and fostering creativity. Dr. Larson emphasizes the importance of incorporating industry members into the classroom for students to explore career opportunities and receive practical insights. She also touches on challenges faced, such as balancing flexibility and effective communication in a diverse, non-traditional student base.
I am delighted to introduce our guest, Dr. Haley Larson โ an esteemed Assistant Professor at Kansas State University. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of ruminant nutrition. Dr. Larson shares her unique experiences and insights on topics such as gaining confidence when stepping into a room of industry professionals, the value of networking, and much more. Uncover hidden career opportunities in the feedlot industry. It was an engaging conversation, filled with thought-provoking moments!
"It's been fun to blend my academic legacy as well as my industry experience together in a really unique position. Who I can leave an impact on and the number of students that we can have come through our doors help benefit beef producers and beyond in the agricultural industry."
What youโll learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:20) Introduction
(02:23) Dr. Larson's Background and Inspiration
(05:21) Importance of Undergraduate Research Exposure
(07:45) Encouraging Faculty Involvement in Undergraduate Research
(11:20) Explanation of In Situ Versus Continuous Culture Fermentation
(11:45) Advantages of in vitro systems and microbial fermentation
(16:05) Transitioning from Academia to Industry
(21:05) Teaching and Course Overview at K-State
(25:55) Breaking the Typical Corporate Research Model
(32:42) Non-traditional Students in Graduation
(35:25) Creativity in Teaching
(41:20) Ideation and Product Development
(45:20) The final questions
Meet the guest: Dr. Haley Larson
Experience:
Current: Assistant professor at Kansas State University
Background:
Ph.D., Ruminant Nutrition (University of Minnesota)