Dr. Riley Messman is an assistant professor in the Animal and Food Sciences department at Oklahoma State University, where she holds responsibilities in teaching and research. Her research focuses on how the maternal uterine environment affects offspring's health and performance. She's currently studying the microbiome of the maternal reproductive tract, implications of neonatal microbial inoculation, and upper respiratory tract microbiome fluctuations during early life. At the undergraduate level, Dr. Messman teaches Introduction to Animal Science and Livestock Health & Disease courses. She aims to educate future veterinarians, producers, and industry leaders to identify health issues and use innovative management practices to improve overall herd health.