Pork producer appoints research geneticist

Pork producer Danbred North America appointed Dr. Caitlyn Abell as a research geneticist. With a focus on performance at the commercial production level, Abell will develop and implement genetic improvement programs for the Danbred North America nucleus herd.

Caitlyn Abell earned her Ph.D. from Iowa State University.
Caitlyn Abell earned her Ph.D. from Iowa State University.

Pork producer Danbred North America appointed Dr. Caitlyn Abell as a research geneticist. With a focus on performance at the commercial production level, Abell will develop and implement genetic improvement programs for the Danbred North America nucleus herd. Among her responsibilities, Abell will manage the company's data sets, monitor selection programs and genetic progress and apply genomic selection technology to speed progress in the nucleus lines. She will design trials and work with pork industry partners to advance the capture of genetic progress across multiplication and commercial herds.

Abell received her undergraduate degree from Western Kentucky University in 2009 and then joined the research program at Iowa State University, where she conducted research in sow longevity, productivity and genetic improvement. In 2011, the National Swine Improvement Federation awarded Abell the Lauren L. Christian Memorial Graduate Student Award for her research on the genetic parameters associated with litters per sow per year and its relationship with other economically important traits.

She completed her doctorate degree from Iowa State University. There she participated in a number of swine research products, including estimating the total costs associated with incorporating genomic selection into a swine breeding program.

"Caitlyn brings significant modeling and statistical analysis skills to our genetics team, which will benefit Danbred North America's customers as we continue to develop products that meet the needs of a more complex and competitive industry," said Tom Rathje, chief technical officer for Danbred North America. "She will work directly with customers to ensure they capture the greatest possible genetic potential out of their multiplication and breeding programs."

"This is an exciting time in swine genetics," Abell said. "I am looking forward to working with Danbred North America's customers and helping them maximize their productivity and profitability through genetic improvement."

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