I’m an Animal Scientist with an MSc in Genetics and Animal Breeding and a Ph.D. in Animal Sciences (Quantitative Genetics). My research interests include quantitative genetics and its applications in animal breeding. My overarching research interest is understanding the genotype-phenotype map in livestock species using bioinformatics and statistical genetics. I’m interested in better understanding the genetic architecture of economically important traits and applying and developing statistical methods for prediction in the multi-omics era. 

Dr. Steven Cooper was raised on a livestock farm in the Texas panhandle. He received his B.S. in Animal Science from Texas Tech University in 1992 where he was a member of the wool and livestock judging teams , the horse judging team and the rodeo team. He received his M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Illinois in 1994 and Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from Oklahoma State University in 1998. He began his career in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at Oklahoma State in 1999 where he currently holds the Cline Family Equine Sciences Professorship.

Dr. Cooper currently serves as the faculty supervisor for the Charles and Linda Cline Equine Teaching Facility, the Horseman’s Association and the Ranch Horse team. He teaches numerous courses in equine science, training and evaluation and has advised over 700 undergraduate students and 19 graduate students. Additionally, he has been a successful horse judging team coach at OSU for 25 years where he has coached eight AQHA World Champion teams. Steven has received numerous awards including the CASNR Outstanding Teacher Award (2017), the Golden Torch Faculty Award (2014), the CASNR Exemplary Faculty Award (2011), the Don M. Tyler Faculty Award (2008) and the NHJTCA Collegiate Leadership Award (2003).

Dr. Cooper was recently (April, 2025) recognized by the Department of Animal & Food Sciences at Texas Tech University where he received the Hall of Fame - Graduate of Distinction Award. 

Research interests include equine nutrition in the areas of mineral balance, growth and development and exercise physiology. More recent studies have focused on evaluation of price factors in yearling race-bred and show quality Quarter Horses. 

Steven and Emily, his wife of 28 years, are the proud parents of two sons. Their oldest son Braden is married to Caroline and they have two children, Colson (3) and Callie (1). Their younger son Bryce graduated from OSU in 2025 in Construction Engineering and Technology. In his spare time, Dr. Cooper enjoys hunting and team roping, spending time with his grandkids and camping and traveling with his family and friends.  

Dr. Mellissa Crosswhite is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at Oklahoma State University. Her primary teaching responsibilities are to instruct Form and Function of Livestock and Poultry, a course primarily focusing on the anatomy and physiology of livestock animals, Animal Growth and Performance, Capstone for Animal Agriculture, and internship related coursework. She has also taught Animal and Food Science Professional Development and Peer-Led Team Learning in Animal Science. Additionally, she advises undergraduates within the department as well as advising the Beta Psi chapter of the Sigma Alpha sorority, Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlemen's Association, and the Leaders of Excellence in Animal and Food Sciences. Mellissa's research interests are in applied ruminant reproductive physiology, focusing mainly on beef cattle and on-farm research. 

Mellissa and her husband, Justin, have 2 dogs and raise cattle outside of Stillwater, OK.

Parker is from Stillwater, Ok and serves as the livestock judging team coach and Dr. Robert "Bob" Totusek Endowed Chair Fellow at Oklahoma State University. Parker coached the 2021, 2022 and, 2023 National Champion Livestock Judging Team and was named the "Coach of the Year" in 21 and 22 and was named 2023 Best of the Barns Best Sr. College Livestock Judging Team Coach. Currently, along with coaching, Parker serves as an extension specialist focused in beef cattle management and youth livestock selection and education. He received his masters and PhD from the University of Illinois while focusing his research in nutrition and management strategies for heifer and bull development systems. Parker was a member of the livestock judging team at Butler Community College and Kansas State University where he received a bachelor's degree in Animal Science. Parker was raised in central Missouri where he and family still raise Angus and Charolais cattle. Parker and his family have bred or exhibited several national or reserve national champion Charolais cattle. Parker and his wife Christy have two children Norman and Charlotte. Parker has judged livestock shows in 33 states, Canada, and Mexico.

Dr. Mason Henson is an Assistant Professor of Animal and Food Sciences and serves as the Sustainable Livestock Production Specialist at Oklahoma State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from Auburn University, specializing in ruminant nutrition and forages. Dr. Henson also holds an M.S. in Plant and Soil Sciences and dual B.S. degrees in Plant and Soil Sciences and Animal and Food Sciences from Oklahoma State University.

As a teaching and research faculty member at OSU, Dr. Henson primarily teaches Applied Animal Nutrition lecture and laboratory courses. Her research focuses on precision technology for grazing management, enhancing biodiversity in pasture and rangeland systems, and developing sustainable livestock production practices, with an emphasis on ruminants.

Our research focuses on the cellular and molecular processes underlying implantation, embryonic development, and placentation, with an emphasis on interactions between the conceptus and the maternal environment.

Embryonic development represent a highly sensitive window during pregnancy, during which tightly coordinated developmental and signaling events are especially vulnerable to external perturbations. We are particularly interested in how environmental challenges, including pathogens, toxins, and nutritional imbalance, disrupt cellular signaling and regulatory networks at the maternal-fetal interface. We define how these stressors alter gene regulation, immune pathways, and cell-cell communication, ultimately shaping pregnancy establishment, placental function, and pregnancy outcome.

To address these questions, we use a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches, integrating molecular, cellular, and genomic analyses. Our research spans multiple model systems, including large animals, rodents, and human-derived in vitro models, allowing us to investigate both conserved and species-specific regulatory pathways involved in early pregnancy and placental development.

Dr. Logan Johnson is an Assistant Professor of Food Science at Oklahoma State University in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences.

Gretchen Mafi is a Professor and the Ralph & Leila Boulware Endowed Chair in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at Oklahoma State University, where she conducts research and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in meat science. Gretchen earned her bachelor's degree in 1994, from Texas Tech University, a Master of Science degree in 1996, from Colorado State University, and a Ph.D. in Animal Science with emphasis in meat science in 2000, from Texas Tech.

Gretchen teaches animal and meat science courses each semester at OSU, along with her advising and research responsibilities. She conducts research in the area of meat cutability and quality, with over 100 published articles in scientific journals. Also, Gretchen coaches the Oklahoma State Meat Judging Team. Gretchen received the USDA Excellence in Teaching Award in 2020, as well the American Meat Science Association Distinguished Teaching Award in 2019 and the Signal Service Award in 2021. In addition, Gretchen served as the President of the American Meat Science Association in 2023. 

Gretchen and her husband, Jeff Mafi reside on their farm in Coyle, OK, raising purebred Angus Cattle.

Food safety is a critical aspect of public health and global food systems, ensuring that the food we consume is free from harmful pathogens and contaminants. Professor Peter Muriana, a distinguished academic affiliated with Purdue University and Oklahoma State University, has made significant contributions to advancing food safety through his research, teaching, and outreach efforts.

Professor Muriana's work focuses on food microbiology, particularly the study of foodborne pathogens and interventions to mitigate their risks. His research has explored innovative strategies, such as the use of lactic acid bacteria and biopreservatives, to enhance food safety. These approaches aim to reduce the prevalence of pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, which pose serious threats to human health.

At Oklahoma State University, Professor Muriana has been instrumental in conducting validation studies for food safety processes. These studies not only benefit the food industry but also provide hands-on learning opportunities for students. His mentorship has helped shape the careers of many graduates who now hold positions in food microbiology labs, quality control, and HACCP management.

Beyond academia, Professor Muriana collaborates with food processors to improve safety protocols and ensure consumer protection. His work spans various food products, including poultry, deli meats, and ready-to-eat items. By bridging the gap between research and practical applications, he has contributed to safer food production practices 

The significance of Professor Muriana's research lies in its impact on both public health and the food industry. By addressing critical food safety challenges, his work helps prevent foodborne illnesses, supports regulatory compliance, and fosters consumer trust. His dedication to education and outreach further amplifies the importance of food safety as a shared responsibility. In conclusion, Professor Peter Muriana's contributions exemplify the vital role of research in advancing food safety. His efforts not only protect public health but also inspire future generations to continue the pursuit of safer food systems. 

Professor Peter Muriana has conducted numerous studies in the field of food safety. Here are some examples of his research:

1. Bacteriocins of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB). Numerous studies showing the presence of bacteriocin-producing LAB in retail foods, their ability to inhibit foodborne pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Clostridium) and how use of multiple bacteriocins, each with a different mode-of-action on pathogens could enhance antimicrobial activity when combined and applied as an antimicrobial intervention.
2. Microbial Profiling of Biltong Processing: This study analyzed the microbiome of biltong (dried beef) processing using both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods.
3. Validation of Air-Dried Beef (Biltong, Droewors) Processing: Research focused USDA-FSIS designated 'knowledge gaps' in air-dried beef research. Dr. Muriana's group achieved a 5-log reduction of Salmonella, STEC E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus on biltong without a heat lethality step and the contribution of individual marinade components pathogen reduction.
4. Sanitizer Efficacy: Evaluated the effectiveness of commercial sanitizers in food processing facilities for inactivating biofilms of pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, and Salmonella. Demonstrated the isolation of multiple alkaliphillic bacteria isolated from biofilms on worksers boots as the result of continuous use of same type of sanitizer (BiQuat) in food processing facilities and the need to alternate types of sanitizers. 
5. Natural Nitrite Production: Explored the use of nitrate-reducing bacteria to convert vegetable-derived nitrate into natural nitrite for food applications. Demonstrated that vegetable-derived nitrite was effective in prohibiting spore germination by Clostridium spp. in hotdogs.
6. Pre- and Post-Package Pasteurization of Deli Meats. One of the pioneers in research on deli meat surface pasteurization as a post-process lethality treatment that was cited by USDA-FSIS as treatments that could render RTE meats more safe. These processes targeted the inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes on deli meat products which has been notorious for re-contamination issues in meat processing plants.

Bio:

Dr. Pezeshki is an Associate Professor at Oklahoma State University (OSU). Dr. Pezeshki obtained his Ph.D. in Veterinary Sciences (physiology discipline) from Ghent University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. In 2011, he started postdoctoral training in the Gastrointestinal Research Group, Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases and the Department of Production Animal Health at University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. In 2016, he joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at OSU and in July 2022, he was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure. Dr. Pezeshki teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, and his primary research interest is on the role of liver-derived factors or hepatokines in regulation of hepatic glucose metabolism. In particular, his laboratory is interested in unraveling the hepatic pathways that can define the compelling metabolic effects of dietary branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) restriction by focusing on hepatokines. Adel is a member of several professional societies including American Society for Nutrition and serves as an associate editor on the editorial board of Gut Endocrinology and Metabolic Endocrinology for Frontiers in Endocrinology and he is on the reviewer board of Nutrients.

Research Interests:

Liver plays an essential role in regulation of systemic glucose homeostasis. Hepatic insulin signaling is crucial for maintenance of normal glucose homeostasis through suppressing gluconeogenesis and promoting glycogenesis. Therefore, hepatic insulin resistance can contribute to hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. We have demonstrated that dietary branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) restriction improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, increases hepatic insulin signaling and suppresses gluconeogenesis in the liver [1, 2]. My laboratory is interested in unraveling the hepatic pathways that can define the compelling metabolic effects of dietary BCAA restriction by focusing on known and novel hepatokines.

Several proteins are predominantly and exclusively secreted by liver. These liver-derived proteins or hepatokines have some inconclusive roles in hepatic glucose metabolism and insulin signaling. My lab is focused on: 1) examining whether known or novel hepatokines are required for BCAA restriction-induced improvement in glucose metabolism and insulin signaling in the liver, 2) characterizing the pathways by which BCAA restriction induces these hepatokines, and 3) assessing the role of these hepatokines or new liver-derived factors in regulation of systemic glucose homeostasis when BCAA restricted diets are offered. To this end, our lab employs a variety of techniques such as genome editing in cell culture-based systems and animal models, and transcriptomics. The long-term goal of our program is to identify novel therapeutics for the treatment of diabetes.