Dr. Janice M. Siegford |
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Michigan State University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Animal Science Animal Behavior and Welfare Group Assistant ProfessorAppointed: 2008 |  |
Mailing AddressAnimal Behavior and Welfare Group Department of Animal Science 2265E Anthony Hall East Lansing, Michigan 48824United States | Contact Information |
Qualifications
Ph.D., Washington State University, Neuroscience, 2003.
M.S., University of Idaho, Zoology, 1999.
B.S., Cornell University, Science Communication, 1995.
Expertise and Research Interests
I have two main areas of research interest: (1) animal behavior and (2) animal welfare. My interests in animal behavior include cognition, communication, social behavior, and their neural basis, as well as companion animal behavioral therapy, and interspecific interactions. My interests in animal welfare focus generally on understanding what current practices or environments impact animal welfare and determining how we can practically address these situations. In addition, I seek to develop non-invasive automated strategies for collecting data about animal behavior and welfare from animals in their home environments.
Animal industry has become increasingly intensive, placing animals in situations very far from the natural conditions they evolved under or experienced during the majority of their history of domestication while at the same time economic constraints on production have become tighter. Additionally, concern for animal welfare and has grown in countries around the world, including the United States. Understanding the biological and behavioral needs of agricultural animals could lead to more profitable and humane production systems, benefiting both animals and the humans who depend upon them.
In my current position at Michigan State University I am examining the effects of early environment and management practices, particularly weaning strategies, on the welfare and behavior of calves and pigs. I am interested in the development of the cow-calf bond in dairy and beef cattle, and the implications of breaking this bond using different strategies before and during weaning. I collaborate with colleagues at Michigan State and beyond in areas such as reducing lameness in dairy cattle, housing of gestating sows, and measuring welfare of group housed poultry. In additon to my work on production species, I conduct research on behavior and welfare of companion animals, particularly related to assessment and enrichment strategies for dogs and cats in shelters.
My secondary role at MSU is to teach and develop online instructional materials in animal welfare and behavior. I currently teach an online graduate courses in Animal Welfare Assessment and a face-to-face undergraduate course in Applied Animal Behavior.
Beyond my research, as a Certified Associate Applied Animal Behaviorist, I provide companion animal behavioral therapy to dog and cat owners and consult with veterinarians.
As a postdoctoral research associate at Michigan State University with Dr. Adroaldo Zanella, my research examined immediate and long-term consequences of early weaning practices on the physiology, growth, and behavior of pigs using various measures, including behavioral observation, radioimmunoassay of cortisol, and cDNA microarrays and real-time PCR to examine changes in gene expression in the brain.
During my Ph.D. at Washington State Univeristy I examined plasticity of a spinal motor nucleus in Mongolian gerbils. The spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) is a sexually dimorphic structure that is larger in males. In many species this dimorphism results in the prenatal and neonatal periods and the number of motoneurons in the SNB remains static after this time. However, the SNB of male gerbils appears to add motoneurons postnatally, through at least puberty, to achieve dimorphism. Examination of this process could reveal means of repairing or replacing motoneurons in damaged spinal cords in other mammalian species.
Animal industry has become increasingly intensive, placing animals in situations very far from the natural conditions they evolved under or experienced during the majority of their history of domestication while at the same time economic constraints on production have become tighter. Additionally, concern for animal welfare and has grown in countries around the world, including the United States. Understanding the biological and behavioral needs of agricultural animals could lead to more profitable and humane production systems, benefiting both animals and the humans who depend upon them.
In my current position at Michigan State University I am examining the effects of early environment and management practices, particularly weaning strategies, on the welfare and behavior of calves and pigs. I am interested in the development of the cow-calf bond in dairy and beef cattle, and the implications of breaking this bond using different strategies before and during weaning. I collaborate with colleagues at Michigan State and beyond in areas such as reducing lameness in dairy cattle, housing of gestating sows, and measuring welfare of group housed poultry. In additon to my work on production species, I conduct research on behavior and welfare of companion animals, particularly related to assessment and enrichment strategies for dogs and cats in shelters.
My secondary role at MSU is to teach and develop online instructional materials in animal welfare and behavior. I currently teach an online graduate courses in Animal Welfare Assessment and a face-to-face undergraduate course in Applied Animal Behavior.
Beyond my research, as a Certified Associate Applied Animal Behaviorist, I provide companion animal behavioral therapy to dog and cat owners and consult with veterinarians.
As a postdoctoral research associate at Michigan State University with Dr. Adroaldo Zanella, my research examined immediate and long-term consequences of early weaning practices on the physiology, growth, and behavior of pigs using various measures, including behavioral observation, radioimmunoassay of cortisol, and cDNA microarrays and real-time PCR to examine changes in gene expression in the brain.
During my Ph.D. at Washington State Univeristy I examined plasticity of a spinal motor nucleus in Mongolian gerbils. The spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) is a sexually dimorphic structure that is larger in males. In many species this dimorphism results in the prenatal and neonatal periods and the number of motoneurons in the SNB remains static after this time. However, the SNB of male gerbils appears to add motoneurons postnatally, through at least puberty, to achieve dimorphism. Examination of this process could reveal means of repairing or replacing motoneurons in damaged spinal cords in other mammalian species.
Other Expertise
- Teaching veterinary histology - 4 years
- Banding of migratory song birds - 5 years
- Certified Associate Applied Animal Behaviorist- 3 years
- Dog and puppy training and socialization - 2 years
- Banding of migratory song birds - 5 years
- Certified Associate Applied Animal Behaviorist- 3 years
- Dog and puppy training and socialization - 2 years
Future Research
I plan to continue research examining the social bonds between animals and how we can improve weaning processes in pigs and cattle by more closely mimicking the natural breaking of this bond.
As a second area of research, I would like to continue validating and developing non-invasive means to measure welfare and behavior with the aim of discovering technologies or protocols that can be used practically on farms.
Additionally, I plan to continue examining the validity and usefulness of temperament testing domestic cats as a means of improving successful adoptions of cats from shelters.
As a second area of research, I would like to continue validating and developing non-invasive means to measure welfare and behavior with the aim of discovering technologies or protocols that can be used practically on farms.
Additionally, I plan to continue examining the validity and usefulness of temperament testing domestic cats as a means of improving successful adoptions of cats from shelters.
Industrial Relevance
Understanding the behavioral and biological requirements of species used in the production of meat and other animal products will enable producers to develop optimal housing and care systems for their animals to maximize animal welfare and production goals.
Keywords
COS Keywords:
Animal Behavior or Ethology, Animal Communication, Animal Science, Animal Welfare, Neuroscience, Stress, Zoology.Additional Terms:
Animal Behavior, Animal Welfare, Animal Well-being.Languages
(Reading, Writing, Speaking)
English: (Fluent, Fluent, Fluent)
Latin: (Basic, Basic, Basic)
Memberships
American Society of Animal Science
International Society for Anthrozoology
International Society for Applied Ethology
Honors and Awards
2006, Honorable Mention Best Fully Online Course,
SBC Awards for Instructional Technology,
Michigan State University
2002, Honorable Mention Poster,
Neuroscience & Pharm./Tox. Research Presentation Day,
Washington State University,
Graduate Studies in Neuroscience
2001-2002,
Arturs Vitums Scholarship in Veterinary Anatomy,
Arturs Vitums Endowment,
Washington State University,
Graduate Veterinary Anatomy
2001, Best Platform Speaker,
Neuroscience & Pharm./Tox. Research Presentation Day,
Washington State University,
Graduate Studies in Neuroscience
2000-2002,
Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Scholarship,
ARCS
1991-1995,
Dean's List,
Cornell University
Previous Positions
2005-2007, Research Assistant Professor,
Michigan State University,
College of Agriculture & Natural Resources,
Animal Science,
Animal Behavior and Welfare Group
2003-2005, Postdoctoral Fellow,
Michigan State University,
College of Agriculture & Natural Resources,
Animal Science,
Animal Behavior and Welfare Group
2000-2002, Dog Trainer,
Washington State University,
Veterinary Medicine,
Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Physio.,
Neuroscience
2000-2002, Behaviorist,
Washington State University,
Veterinary Medicine,
Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Physio.,
Neuroscience
1999-2002, Teaching Assistant,
Washington State University,
Veterinary Medicine,
Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Physio.,
Neuroscience
1999-1999, Instructor,
Washington State University,
College of Liberal Arts,
General Education,
Accessing Information for Research
1998-2003, Research Assistant,
Washington State University,
Veterinary Medicine,
Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Physio.,
Program in Neuroscience
1996-1998, Teaching Assistant,
University of Idaho,
Agricultural and Life Sciences,
Biological Sciences
1996-1998, Research Assistant,
University of Idaho,
Agricultural and Life Sciences,
Biological Sciences
Funding Received
- Rood Trust Fund: PI. Improving welfare and productivity of Michigan beef calves at weaning: does early exposure to concentrates reduce weaning stress?, $9,700, 2008 to 2009.
- Rood Trust Fund: Co-PI. Relationships of temperament and behavior with growth, carcass merit and beef quality traits in Angus X Limousin crossbred cattle., $9,110, 2008 to 2009.
- USDA NRI, In review: PI. Using a non-invasive monitor system to measure behavior, movement and space use by non-caged chickens., $374,450, 2008 to 2011.
- Rood Trust Fund: PI. Welfare implications of breaking the cow-calf bond using various weaning methods: effects on behavioral, physiological and immune parameters., $25,628, 2006 to 2006.
- Animal Industry Coalition: PI. Development of Multimedia Animal Welfare Assessment Tools for Teaching, Judging Competitions and Extension Purposes, $24,182, 2006 to 2008.
- Higher Education Challenge Grant: Co-PI. Design and Development of Structural Elements for a Web-Based Course in Animal Welfare, $90,468, 2004 to 2006.
- Animal Agriculture Industry Coalition: Collaborator/writer. Control of Lameness in Dairy Cattle Through Pain Recognition and Early Intervention, $45,000, 2004 to 2006.
Publications
- Siegford JM, Powers W, Grimes-Casey HG (Feb 2008) Environmental aspects of ethical animal production., Poultry science, 87 (2), 380-6
- Algers B, Lundeheim N, Boyle LA, Broom DM, Eliasson-Selling L, Holmgren N, Mattsson B, Grandin T, Halverson M, Lay DC, Marchant-Forde JN, Marchant-Forde RM, Li Y, Pajor EA, Siegford JM, Stookey JM, Zanella AJ (Jan 2007) Thoughts on farm animal welfare., Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 230 (2), 185-6; author reply
- Siegford JM, Rucker G, Zanella AJ (2007) Effects of pre-weaning exposure to a maze on pigs at weaning and on subsequent performance in spatial and open field tests., Applied Animal Behaviour Science, In Press
- Siegford JM, Zanella AJ, Bernardo T, Heleski CR, Wickens CL, Laughlin K, Malinowski R (2007) Leveraging expertise in animal welfare to create educational equity, Animal Welfare, 16 (2), 241-244
- Siegford JM, Powers W (2007) Environmental aspects of ethical animal production, 2007 Joint Annual Meeting ADSA PSA AMPA ASAS, Bioethics Symposium Invited Talk, J Anim Sci, 85(Supplement 1):132 pages
- Siegford JM, Buskirk DD, Sharra MK (2007) Behavior of beef calves weaned by traditional, fenceline, and two-step methods, 2007 Joint Annual Meeting ADSA PSA AMPA ASAS, J Anim Sci, 85(Supplement 1):365 pages
- Siegford JM, Daigle C, Tubbs M, Bernardo T, Heleski CR, Malinowski R, Snider R (2007) Animal welfare assessment scenarios as a tool for animal production industries, 2007 Joint Annual Meeting ADSA PSA AMPA ASAS, J Anim Sci, 85(Supplement 1):582 pages
- Buskirk DD, Siegford JM (2007) Performance of beef calves weaned by traditional, fenceline, and two-step methods, 2007 Joint Annual Meeting ADSA PSA AMPA ASAS, J Anim Sci, 85(Supplement 1):542 pages
- Siegford JM, Sharra MK (2007) Estimating when beef calves are ready to be weaned based on social behavior and time budgets, Proceedings of the 41st International Congress of the ISAE, 41:88 pages
- Tubbs M, Daigle C, Siegford J, Snider R (2007) Creating animal welfare assessment scenarios for the zoo industry, Proceedings of the 83rd Association of Zoos and Aquariums Annual Conference
- Daigle C, Tubbs M, Snider R, Siegford J (2007) Development and internal utilization of animal welfare assessment scenarios by the zoo industry, Proceedings of the 83rd Association of Zoos and Aquariums Annual Conference
- Siegford JM, Buskirk DD (2006) Fenceline and two-step weaning: direct comparison of non-abrupt weaning methods in beef calves, 8th ISAE North American Regional Meeting, Vancouver, CA, 8:27 pages
- Poletto R, Steibel JP, Siegford JM, Zanella AJ (Jan 2006) Effects of early weaning and social isolation on the expression of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor and 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 and 2 mRNAs in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of piglets., Brain research, 1067 (1), 36-42
- Poletto R, Siegford JM, Steibel JP, Coussens PM, Zanella AJ (Jan 2006) Investigation of changes in global gene expression in the frontal cortex of early-weaned and socially isolated piglets using microarray and quantitative real-time RT-PCR., Brain research, 1068 (1), 7-15
- Kaiser L, Heleski CR, Siegford J, Smith KA (Jan 2006) Stress-related behaviors among horses used in a therapeutic riding program., Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 228 (1), 39-45
- Malinowski RP, Bernardo TM, Zanella AJ, Siegford JM, Wickens CL (2006) Collaborative Curriculum Development to Meet the Growing Demand for Education, American Educational Research Association, Annual Meeting
- Bernardo TM, Siegford JM, Zanella AJ, Malinowksi RP, Wickens CL (2006) Leveraging global expertise to meet the growing demand for education, 11th Sloan-C International Conference on Asynchronous Learning Networks, http://www.sloan-c.org/conference/proceedings/2005/index.asp
- Heleski CR, Siegford JM, Urban-Lurain M, Wickens C, Zanella AJ (2006) Outcomes assessment of an online animal welfare course, Proceedings of the 40th International Congress of the ISAE, 40:154 pages
- Siegford JM, Bernardo TM, Malinowski RP, Laughlin K, Zanella AJ (2005) Integrating animal welfare into veterinary education: using an online, interactive course., Journal of veterinary medical education, 32 (4), 497-504
- Siegford JM, Zanella AJ, Bernardo T, Wickens CL, Laughlin K, Malinowski R (2005) Leveraging expertise in animal welfare to create educational equity, 3rd International Workshop on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at the Farm and Group Level
- Wickens CL, Siegford JM, Zanella AJ (2005) Development of a web-based course in animal welfare, ADSA-ASAS-CSAS 2005 Joint Meeting Proceedings, Journal of Animal Science 83(Supplement 1), 377 pages
- Siegford JM, Rucker G, Zanella AJ (2005) Maze task's effect on salivary cortisol of pigs at weaning and on subsequent fear response, ADSA-ASAS-CSAS 2005 Joint Meeting Proceedings, Journal of Animal Science 83(Supplement 1), 348 pages
- Siegford JM, Ulibarri C (Jun 2004) Increase in motoneurons in the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus of prepubertally castrated male Mongolian gerbils following delayed treatment with testosterone., The Journal of comparative neurology, 473 (4), 485-95
- Siegford JM, Souza AS, Jansen J, Zanella AJ (2004) Correlating spatial learning, social recognition, and aggression in young pigs, ASAS-ADSA--PSA 2004 Joint Meeting Proceedings, Journal of Animal Science 82(Supplement 1), 276 pages
- Souza AS, Laughlin K, Siegford JM, Zanella AJ (2004) Acute stress impairs spatial learning and social recognition in early-weaned pigs, ASAS-ADSA--PSA 2004 Joint Meeting Proceedings, Journal of Animal Science 82(Supplement 1), 276 pages
- Poletto R, Siegford JM, Steibel JP, Zanella AJ (2004) Differential expression of genes in frontal cortex of pigs following weaning and social isolation: implications for neural underpinnings of welfare., 38th International Congress of the ISAE, International Society for Applied Ethology, 38:114 pages
- Siegford JM, Waltman RM, Zanella AJ (2004) Integration of animal welfare into the veterinary curriculum: the development of an online course in animal welfare., 38th International Congress of the ISAE, International Society for Applied Ethology, 38:223 pages
- Almeida PE, Siegford JS, Zanella AJ (2004) Integrative pain assessment in lame dairy cattle, Proceedings of the 15th International Congress on Animal Reproduction -- Workshop Communications
- Siegford JM, Hadi Mansouri S, Ulibarri C (Nov 2003) Normal ontogeny of perineal muscles and testosterone levels in Mongolian gerbils; response to testosterone in developing females., The anatomical record. Part A, Discoveries in molecular, cellular, and evolutionary biology, 275 (1), 997-1008
- Mansouri HS, Siegford JM, Ulibarri C (May 2003) Early postnatal response of the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus and target muscles to testosterone in male gerbils., Brain research. Developmental brain research, 142 (2), 129-39
- Siegford JM, Walshaw SO, Brunner P, Zanella AJ (2003) Validation of a temperament test for domestic cats, Anthrozoos, 16, 332-351
Profile Details
Last Updated: 8/25/2008
COS Expertise ID #1108524
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