Research

Research Projects

Improving efficiency and reducing methane emissions of dairy herds by bridging the gap between animal and data science. Sponsor: USDA-NIFA-IDEAS-2021-10918
Deciphering the role of individual methanogens and their inhibition on hydrogen metabolism in the rumen of dairy cows. Sponsor: USDA-NIFA-AFRI-2020-02672
The effect of 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP), a persistent methane inhibitor, on the ruminal microbiota in dairy cows with distinct microbial syntrophic clusters. Sponsor: DSM-Nutritional Products-2021
Deciphering the role of gut microbiome in reducing Haemonchus contortus infection in PA’s small ruminant herds. Sponsor: Center for Livestock and Poultry Excellence
A novel method to measure and predict enteric methane emissions in dairy cows. Sponsor: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Understanding the role of the microbiome-gut-brain axis to improve the health and welfare of dairy calves. Sponsor: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Precision data integration to assess rumen health in dairy cows with postpartum metabolic disorders during the transition period. Sponsor: USDA-Formula Funds

Developing novel feeds via bioprocessing of food waste and crop residue biomass to support sustainable dairy production. Sponsor: USDA-NIFA-IDEAS-2021-
Modulating Inflammation during the Peri-Parturient Period: Understanding the Link Between Rumen Microbiome and Inflammation. Sponsor: USDA-NIFA-AFRI- 2021-06929
Temporal changes in swine vaginal and fecal microbiome and resistome before and after antibiotic therapeutic intramuscular treatment or artificial insemination with semen extender containing preservative-level antibiotics. Sponsor: Center for Livestock and Poultry Excellence
Sharing is caring: Can pets protect their owners against antibiotic-associated disruption of the gut microbiome? Sponsor: The HABRI Institute
Impact of pet contact on antimicrobial-associated dysbiosis and Clostridioides difficile infection. Sponsor: NIH-NIAID PA-20-205
Equine guttural pouch microbiome in health and disease. Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA, Inc.

Short communication: Comparison of the fecal bacterial communities in diarrheic and non-diarrheic dairy calves from multiple farms in Southeastern PA. Hennessy, M., Indugu, N., Redding, L.k Vecchiarelli, B., Pappalardo, C., Toth, J., Stefanovski, D., Garapati, S., Pitta, D. 2021. Journal of Dairy Science. In press. doi: 10.3168/jds.2020-19108.

Comparison of two sampling techniques for evaluating ruminal fermentation and microbiota in the planktonic phase of rumen digesta in dairy cows. Lage, C.F., Raisanen, S.E., Melgar, A., Nedelkov, K., Chen, X., Oh, J., Fetter, M.E., Indugu, N., Bender, J.S., Vecchiarelli, B., Hennessy, M.L., Pitta, D., Hristov, A.N. 2020. Frontiers in Microbiology. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.618032.

Effects of the macroalga Asparagopsis taxiformis and oregano leaves on methane emission, rumen fermentation, and lactational performance of dairy cows. Stefenoni, H.A., Raisanen, S.E., Welchez, S.F., Wasson, D.E., Lage, C.F.A., Melgar, A., Fetter, M.E., Smith, P., Hennessy, M., Vecchiarelli, B., Bender, J., Pitta, D., Cantrell, C.L., Yarish, C., Hristov, A.N. 2020. Journal of Dairy Science. In press. doi: 10.3168/jds.2020-19686.

Experimental crossover study on the effects of withholding feed for 24 hours on the equine faecal bacterial microbiota in healthy mares. Willette, J.A., Pitta, D., Indugu, N., Vecchiarelli, B., Hennessy, M.L., Dobbie, T., Southwood, L. BMC Veterinary Research. 17(3). doi: 10.1186/s12917-020-02706-8.

Changes in the faecal bacterial microbiota during hospitalization of horses with colic and the effects of different causes of colic. Stewart, H.L., Pitta, D., Indugu, N., Vecchiarelli, B., Hennessy, M., Engiles, J.B., Southwood, L.L. 2020. Equine Veterinary Journal. doi: 10.1111/evj.13389.

The distribution of microbiomes and resistomes across farm environments in conventional and organic dairy herds in Pennsylvania. Pitta, D.W., Indugu, N., Toth, J.D., Bender, J.S., Baker, L.D., Hennessy, M.L., Vecchiarelli, B., Aceto, H., Dou, Z. 2020. Environmental Microbiome. 15(21). doi: 10.1186/s40793-020-00368-5.

Temporal changes in the fecal bacterial community in Holstein dairy calves from birth through the transition to a solid diet. Hennessy, M.L., Indugu, N., Vecchiarelli, B., Bender, J., Pappalardo, C., Leibstein, M., Toth, J., Katepalli, A., Garapati, S., Pitta, D. 2020. PLoS One. 15(9): e0238882. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238882.