Jennifer Miguel, PhD

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RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Highly qualified, knowledgeable and results-oriented research associate with 9 years of published experience in Animal research in highly regarded academic institutions. Demonstrated skills in designing and implementing swine research protocols and experiments to address current nutrition and health issues. Utilizes attention to detail and interpersonal communication skills to successfully conduct laboratory/data analysis and manage time and team members to meet/exceed goals. Diversified agricultural background includes over 15 years experience in pre-/post-grape harvest for raisin production.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Animal Care

Communication Skills

Data/Sample Collection

Experimental Protocols

Grant Proposals

Laboratory Procedures

Nutrient Utilization

Research Papers

Statistical Analysis

Swine Nutrition

Swine Productivity

Technical Reports

SKILLS

RESEARCH:

 Designed and conducted nutrition and immunology experiments for swine and mice.

 Formulation and preparation of nursery swine diets. Necropsy/sample collection of swine and mice.

 Intranasal inoculations, i.m. and s.c injections (swine) and i.p. injections (mice).

 Immunology and Molecular Biology: ELISA, RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis and RT-PCR for murine and porcine systemic, central, and/or respiratory tract cytokine and TLR gene analyses.

 Microbiology: DNA isolation, 16SrDNA PCR-DGGE, gel band extraction and cloning, Gram staining and microbial plating on select media for evaluation of the effect of a swine feed additive on gastrointestinal microbial populations.

 Behavior and Cognition Testing: Locomotor activity and Morris Water Maze for young and aged mice fed a liquid diet then subjected to experimental systemic infection.

 Microscopy: Histomorphological analysis of swine intestinal tissue with image software for response to feed additives and experimental PRRSV infection.

TEACHING:

 Teaching Assistant: Presented lectures to class, graded papers, designed exams and provided instructional assistance to students in an undergraduate writing course.

 Guest Lecturer: Presented lectures on swine nutrition in undergraduate animal nutrition and pork production courses and an invited lecture on PRRS for an Advanced Swine Production course for professionals in the swine production field.

TECHNICAL:

 Extensive experience of SAS, Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point.

 Presentation of swine nutrition research in oral and poster form at scientific meetings.

 Preparation and writing of research protocols, grant proposals, technical reports, manuscripts, symposia/conference proceedings papers and popular press articles.

FARM:

 Pre-Harvest Production: Tied vine canes to wire, pruned/removed suckers (unwanted growth), and shoveled weeds from early winter through late spring.

 Post-Harvest Production: Picked and laid grapes on trays, rolled trays into bundles, boxed raisins, and participated in the shaking of raisins (quality assurance – removal of mold, non-dried grapes, leaves, and other contaminants) prior to shipment to processing facility.

CAREER HISTORY

Research

 Post Doctorate Research Associate, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL (December 2005-March 2009)

 Graduate Fellow and Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL (2001-2005)

 Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education, California State University, Fresno Swine Unit and Meat Science Laboratory, Fresno, CA (1999-2001)

Teaching

 Invited Lecturer, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL (2008)

 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, Urbana, IL (2005)

 Guest Lecturer, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL (2004-2005)

General Farm Experience

 Grape/Raisin Production Assistant, Miguel Vineyards, Fresno, CA (1985-2001)

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA - Champaign, Urbana, IL

PhD, Animal Sciences, Swine Nutrition, December 2005, (GPA: 3.956/4.00)

Dissertation title: “An evaluation of a yeast-derived mannan oligosaccharide and its mode of action in swine.”

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FRESNO - Fresno, CA

MSc (with distinction), Animal Sciences, (GPA: 4.00/4.00)

Thesis title: “The efficacy of feeding reclaimed, partially fermented solids to gravid swine.”

BS (summa cum laude), Animal Sciences, (GPA: 3.98/4.00)

HONORS

 The Chancellor’s List (graduate) (2005)

 Illinois Chapter Gamma Sigma Delta, The Honor Society of Agriculture (2003-present)

 Jonathan Baldwin Turner Fellowship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2001-2004)

 Graduate Dean’s Medalist and Outstanding Master’s Thesis, College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, California State University, Fresno (May 2001)

 National Dean’s List (graduate) (1999)

 Commencement Standard Bearer, College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, California State University, Fresno (May 1997)

 Alpha Zeta, The Professional Fraternity of Agriculture, California Epsilon Chapter (1996-present)

 National Dean’s List (undergraduate) (1996)

 American Society of Animal Science Scholarship Award (1994)

 The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and Golden Key National Honor Society (1994-present)

PUBLICATIONS (refereed)

 Miguel, J.C., J. Chen, W. Van Alstine, and R.W. Johnson. 2010. Expression of inflammatory cytokines and Toll-Like receptors in the brain and respiratory tract of pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 135:314-319.

 Rozeboom, D. W., D. T. Shaw, R. J. Tempelman, J. C. Miguel, J. E. Pettigrew, and A. Connolly. 2005. Effects of mannan oligosaccharide and an antimicrobial product in nursery diets on performance of pigs reared on three different farms. J. Anim. Sci. 83:2637-2644.

 Miguel, J. C., S. L. Rodriguez-Zas, and J. E. Pettigrew. 2004. Efficacy of Bio-Mos® for improving nursery pig performance. J. Swine Health Prod. 12(6):296-307.

RESEARCH GRANTS

 Development of a challenge model to simulate polymicrobial infections in swine (2007-2008)

Funded by Hatch Funds Project ILLU-538-382, Amount: $7,000

 Bio-Mos®: Mode of Action (2003-2005)

Funded by Alltech, Inc. (Nicholasville, KY), Amount: $81,750

 Efficacy of feeding reclaimed, partially fermented solids to gravid sows and gilts (2000)

Funded by: Agricultural Research Initiative (ARI), Amount: $25,550 and California State University Fresno, Agriculture Foundation, Amount: $20,300

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

 American Society of Animal Science (2001-present)

 American Meat Science Association (2001-2002)

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