Animal Science Department
Iowa State University
Ames IA, USA
A full time research based MS. Position (with stipend, ½ time assistantship) is available for May 2011 – May 2013 in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University. In fast-growing lean pigs, approximately 34% of the variable differences in feed intake is not accounted for by growth and body composition, but result from differences in energy required for other processes such as maintenance, activity, digestive and metabolic efficiency. Thus, although past selection for lean growth has substantially increased feed efficiency, further increases are limited by differences in feed intake that are unrelated to growth and backfat. This feed intake net of growth and backfat is called residual feed intake (RFI). RFI is a unique measure of FE because it represents true differences in the ability of pigs to use feed energy for the metabolic processes of maintenance and growth. To enable in-depth study of feed efficiency, selection lines that differ in RFI have been developed at ISU.
The main research objective for this MS position is to study the underlying physiological mechanisms that may explain the differences in feed intake between our ISU RFI pig selection lines. We wish to characterize the neuroendocrine axis in relation to RFI and feed efficiency. The preferred candidate will have a strong academic performance (3.0 or above) in animal science or a related biological discipline. In addition the candidate must be willing to work with grow-finisher pigs and laboratory procedures, have the ability to travel and work in a multi-disciplinary research group. For further details about the specific project, contact Dr. Nicholas Gabler.
For information about the graduate studies program in the Department of Animal Science and for application procedures (open until filled) please go to the web page at http://www.ans.iastate.edu/stud/prosp.grad/ or contact Donna Nelson at dlnelson@iastate.edu or by phone at (515) 294-2160.
Dr. Nicholas Gabler
201 Kildee Hall
Ames, IA 50011-3150
Phone: 515-294-7370
E-mail: ngabler@iastate.edu