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Four Animal Sciences students selected as CFAES Distinguished Seniors

Feb. 28, 2023
2023 Distinguished Senior Award Recipients

Twenty- five CFAES undergraduate seniors will be honored March 22, 2023 with the 2023 Distinguished Senior Award. Of those twenty-five are four Department of Animal Sciences seniors: Joseph R. Gryboski, Animal Sciences, Floyd Knobs, Indiana, Faith N. Hagelberger, Animal Sciences, Minster, Ohio, Elena M. McGoey, Animal Sciences, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Allison R. Sanders, Animal Sciences, Springfield, Ohio. At 8pm on Wednesday, March 22, the public can watch a YouTude release of the celebration. Click Here to view the celebration. To learn more about the other award recipients Click Here.

Joseph R. Gryboski, Animal Sciences, Floyd Knobs, Indiana    Joe Gryboski 2023 Distinguished Senior Photo: 2022-2023  BigTen Regular Season Champion

Major: Animal Science: Nutrition

"When I first chose to come to The Ohio State University, I wanted to study something involving human health and medicine. However, a family friend who attended Ohio State told me that I should check out Animal Sciences at CFAES because of the amazing opportunities that they provide. Things like study abroad, undergraduate research, and scholarship opportunities were some of the reasons I chose to join this department. Flash forward four years, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. While at Ohio State, I was a member of many clubs and organizations, such as the Pre-Vet club, the CFAES Learning Community, Nosker Hall Council, and the President of the CFAES Undergraduate Student Council. I completed my internship with The Ohio State University’s Women’s Basketball Program where I served as a Student Manager. I am completing my Honors Undergraduate Research Project in conjunction with Dr. Kelly George and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, where I am analyzing giraffe hair cortisol and how it pertains to animal welfare. After graduation, I will be joining Epic Systems in Madison, Wisconsin as a Project Manager, where I will be working to install healthcare software in hospitals around the world."

Faith N. Hagelberger, Animal Sciences, Minster, Ohio   

Major: Animal Sciences Bioscience Specialization   Faith Hagelberger, 2023 Distinguished Senior Award Recipient

"I’m originally from Minster, OH, where my interest in agriculture and livestock first began! I came to OSU knowing that animal science was the right  field for me. I got heavily involved with student organization such as the CFAES Learning community, CVM Food Animal Club, Buckeye Dairy, Animal Science Community Aliance, and Dairy Challenge while also working full-time for the last two years at STgenetics Ohio Heifer Center as a veterinary assistant. After graduation, I will be continuing my education at OSU College of Veterinary Medicine and plan to practice dairy production medicine with an emphasis in reproduction and calves." 

 

Elena M. McGoey, Animal Sciences, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania     Elena McGoey 2023 Distinguished Senior

Major: Animal Sciences, Biosciences specialization

"I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and have immersed myself in the many facets of ‘animal care,’ including internships through the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, and Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (HARP) Wildlife Rehab Center, volunteering through Glade Run Adventure’s animal-assisted therapy programs, and employment at University Lab Animal Resources (ULAR) Experimental Surgery Core. As a member of Dr. Risa Pesapane’s Parasite and Pathogen Ecology Lab, I’ve investigated the prevalence and diversity of tick-borne pathogens in eastern Canada. My undergraduate thesis, under the mentorship of Dr. Pasha Lyvers Peffer, examines self-regulated learning strategies within students taking online introductory Animal Sciences courses. I serve as a student officer for Students with Children at OSU and as a mentor for young mothers in high school through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s C.H.A.M.P.S. program and enjoys being a part of the Ohio State Irish Dance Team. Upon graduation, I will apply to veterinary school, with the intent of becoming a food animal veterinarian."

 Allison R. Sanders, Animal Sciences, Springfield, Ohio  Allison Sanders 2023 Distinguished Senior

Major: Animal Sciences - Bioscience Specialization

"Coming from the suburbs of Springfield, Ohio, I never would have imagined that I would be striving to have a career in the dairy industry. I grew up competing in the Ohio 4-H Dog Program with my chocolate Labrador, Gracie, and while I wouldn’t have changed that experience for the world, I was hungry to learn more. I didn’t know much about the field of agriculture until my freshman year of high school at Global Impact STEM Academy. I was quickly introduced to global agriculture through my involvement in 4-H, FFA, and the World Food Prize Youth Institutes, which fueled my passion for animal science, nutrition research, and fighting food insecurity. CFAES and the Department of Animal Sciences stood out to me because of the vast number of opportunities I was going to have. From education abroad to hands-on learning, and endless support from my peers, faculty, and staff, I knew Ohio State was where I belonged. I can truly say that becoming a Buckeye was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have made life-long connections and countless memories through my involvement in student organizations such as the Animal Science Community Alliance, Collegiate 4-H, CFAES Ambassadors, CFAES Peer Mentors, SPHINX Senior Class Honorary, CFAES Learning Community, and the OSU Dairy Challenge Team. My time at OSU was elevated by my experiences in undergraduate research which has allowed me to work in Columbus, Wooster, and Missouri on nutrition-based research in sheep, beef, and dairy models. I am honored to be graduating with Research Distinction this spring. I am also humbled to have been named one of the University’s Outstanding Seniors of 2023. After graduation, I will be pursuing a graduate degree in animal nutrition, focusing on dairy cow nutrition. My goal is to help find innovative ways to feed dairy cattle while remaining sustainable for future generations and assist in combatting local and global food insecurity."