“Merging the science of animal health and nutrition provides opportunities to better understand how we feed animals and the impact nutrition has on the animals,” says Steelman. “I look forward to combining my research experiences and background knowledge to support product development and to improve animal health and growth for Purina customers.” Steelman’s expertise and interests include: Immunology, The effects of nutrition on animal health, Gut health, Equine genomics and laminitis. Steelman holds a bachelor’s degree in equine science from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in animal science fromTexas A&M University. Steelman earned her Ph.D. in medical science at the Texas A&M Health Science Center. There, she studied human cardiovascular physiology and the effects of stroke on cerebral vascular structure. Prior to Purina Animal Nutrition, Steelman worked as a post-doctoral research associate at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science. Her work focused on using equine genomics to study laminitis. Steelman hails from Lexington, Ky., where she grew up showing Arabians, competing in hunter/jumper and dressage.

Immunology, The effects of nutrition on animal health, Gut health, Equine genomics and laminitis