Vivek Fellner
Bio
The focus of my research is ruminant nutrition. Students will use the rumen as a model to study the interactions between microbial biochemistry, gut biomolecules, and fermentation energetics. Our main objective is to improve nutrient use efficiency and enhance animal performance. We have identified microbial transactions in the gut that enhance nutrient capture, reduce nutrient waste and mitigate methane production, a potent greenhouse gas (GHG). As a research team member, you will learn about the link between gut biomolecules, gut health, and rumen function. In addition, our lab has served to identify biomarkers in milk and test the efficacy of commercial feed additives in the animal industry. Our research has provided recommendations to our local producers and national and international partners on better feed management and sustainable animal production practices.
Publications
- Novel fermentable fiber made from milk sugar aids piglet transition into nursery , National Hog Farmer (2025)
- Inhibiting methanogenesis by targeting thermodynamics and enzymatic reactions in mixed cultures of rumen microbes in vitro , Frontiers in Microbiology (2024)
- Plant extracts of Tithonia diversifolia and Senna Spectabilis are viable alternatives to ionophore antibiotics in improving rumen microbial fermentation , International symposium on ruminant physiology (ISRP) (2024)
- Prebiotic galactooligosaccharide improves piglet growth performance and intestinal health associated with alterations of the hindgut microbiota during the peri-weaning period , Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology (2024)
- Sunflower meal as an alternative protein source for ruminants , Journal of Diary Science (2024)
- An in-Vitro Model of the Equine Fecal Microbiome to Assess How Horse Population Affects Fermentation Following a Starch Challenge , JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE (2023)
- Dietary Prebiotic Oligosaccharides and Arachidonate Alter the Fecal Microbiota and Mucosal Lipid Composition of Suckling Pigs , The Journal of Nutrition (2023)
- Effects of Prebiotic Galactooligosaccharide (GOS) on Hindgut Microbial Composition of Pigs During the Peri-Weaning Period , JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE (2023)
- Effects of Prebiotic Galactooligosaccharide (Gos) on Piglet Growth and Jejunal Morphology During the Peri-Weaning Period , JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE (2023)
- Factors Influencing the Selection of Medium for Evaluating Drug Solubility and Dissolution in Bovine Milk , Dissolution Technologies (2023)