Colten Dornbach, a doctoral candidate within Texas Tech’s Department of Animal & Food Science, has been tapped as the recipient of a highly competitive 2025 Young Scholar Award from the American Society of Animal Science’s Midwest Section. The honor will be presented on Monday (Mar. 10) at the organization’s annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska.
“Colten is one of the brightest and hardest-working Ph.D. students I’ve had the privilege of working with over my 48-year career as a faculty member,” said Michael Galyean, a Paul Whitfield Horn Professor within Texas Tech’s Department of Veterinary Sciences. “He is a very deserving recipient of this prestigious award.”
Sponsored by United Animal Health, the award recognizes and features the research accomplishments of recent Ph.D. graduates or current Ph.D. students in the advanced stages of their program, according to an online ASA press release.
"This award is a testament to the hard work and relentless effort Colten has displayed throughout his Ph.D. program," said Kristin Hales, Dornbach’s advisor and a Professor & Thorton Distinguished Chair at the Department of Animal & Food Science. "It has been an incredible honor to mentor such a talented graduate student."
Dornbach’s research centers on antimicrobial resistance, longitudinal assessments of bacterial populations involved in liver abscess formation, effects of feedlot cattle management on Salmonella enterica prevalence, metaphylaxis in newly received cattle.
In addition, the Minnetonka, Minnosota native is investigating methane emissions and energetics of beef cattle. Currently, he is working on a novel technique to measure nostril methane concentrations in cattle. Dornbach has produced nine peer-reviewed journal articles and 13 published abstracts, as well as receiving a competitive research grant from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
Dornbach received his bachelor’s degree in animal science and a certification in animal nutrition from Colorado State University and his master’s degree from the University of Illinois. Following his expected graduation in May from the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, he plans to seek an academic position where he can continue to focus on research and education.
CONTACT: Chance Brooks, Professor and Chair, Department of Animal & Food Sciences, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-3517 or chance.brooks@ttu.edu
0205NM25