USDA Grants $290,000 to School of Veterinary Medicine Professor

June 26, 2023

Fernanda Rosa will further her research through exploring ways to improve immune responses in cattle.

Fernanda Rosa, assistant professor of immunology at Texas Tech University's School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo, was awarded a $290,000 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to explore how microRNAs may boost the immune system of neonatal calves.

“A newborn calf's immune system is typically very weak,” Rosa said. “This makes the majority of calves at risk to catch a disease early in life. If the calf's immune system gives way, then this means the rancher or cattle owner has a decision to make.”

MicroRNAs are found in a variety of biological sources, including bovine milk. MicroRNAs play a significant role in detecting and preventing disease. Rosa and her team are analyzing bovine milk for the presence of microRNAs involved in inflammation.

They will use those microRNAs to enrich colostrum offered to local dairy calves. These calves will be evaluated relative to a control group of calves that didn't receive microRNAs in colostrum.

“We have already seen a huge effect of microRNAS from bovine milk on the immune response in the lab, so it's promising,” Rosa said. “Finding out how to boost a calf's immune system and helping them fight off infections without the need of antibiotics will make a huge impact for dairy owners and cattle owners.”

Guy Loneragan, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, said Rosa's work is groundbreaking.

“Her work on newborn calves will have lifetime benefits for cattle which will in turn help them be productive members of the herd for longer,” he said. “With the support of USDA NIFA, Dr. Rosa is performing transformative research right here at the School of Veterinary Medicine.”

Ulrich Bickel, associate professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, has teamed up with Rosa as the co-investigator for this research project. Her team also includes One Health Ph.D. student Rafaela Santos, master's students Keerra Holzapfel and Sravani Gade, and veterinary student Audrey Brown.

tags: Academics, Faculty, Research, Stories, Veterinary School, Vice President for Research, provost

Texas Tech University

A new era of excellence is dawning at Texas Tech University as it stands on the cusp of being one of the nation's premier research institutions.

Research and enrollment numbers are at record levels, which cement Texas Tech's commitment to attracting and retaining quality students. In fall 2020, the university achieved a goal more than a decade in the making, reaching a total student population of more than 40,000. In 2018, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education again placed Texas Tech among its top doctoral universities in the nation in the “Very High Research Activity” category. Texas Tech is one of 94 public institutions nationally and 131 overall to achieve this prestigious recognition.

Quality students need top-notch faculty. Texas Tech is home to a diverse, highly revered pool of educators who excel in teaching, research and service. The university strives to foster an environment that celebrates student accomplishment above all else. Texas Tech is large enough to provide the best in facilities and academics but prides itself on being able to focus on each student individually.

The momentum for excellence at Texas Tech has never been greater.

X (formerly known as Twitter)
Facebook
Instagram
Linked In
YouTube
Spotify
TTU Mobile

School of Veterinary Medicine

SVM

Thanks to the generosity of Amarillo and communities across Texas and the commitment of legislators from around the state, the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo was established in 2018. In March 2021, the school was granted the all-important status of Provisional Accreditation, from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (COE).

The School of Veterinary Medicine recruits and selects students with a passion to serve rural and regional communities. Its curriculum is focused on the competencies and skills necessary for success in practice types that support these communities. Texas Tech's innovative and cost-efficient model partners with the wider community of veterinary practices across the state to provide clinical, real-world experiential learning.

Twitter
Facebook

Office of Research and Innovation

The Office of Research and Innovation is tasked with facilitating excellence in research, scholarship and creative activity for Texas Tech students, faculty and staff. The office promotes an academic environment embracing creativity, curiosity, innovation, diversity, ethics and integrity.

Among other programs, the OR&I supports responsible and safe conduct of research, faculty development and recognition, interdisciplinary collaborations, externally sponsored research, partnerships with industry and community stakeholders, international research collaboration and the application of research for the benefit of society. The OR&I promotes a culture of creative expression, discovery, innovation and collaboration with the goal of advancing Texas Tech's status as an elite national research university.

X (formerly known as Twitter)
Facebook
YouTube