My name is Ana Carolina A. Silva and I am an exchange student from Brazil. I am a veterinary student from University of São Paulo – (USP/FZEA) and will graduate in December. I started my exchange program in August 2022 and I took Animal Science classes at UIUC during fall and spring. I started working with Dr. Stein as a research assistant at the Monogastric Nutrition Laboratory this past summer. Currently, my contribution for the lab is helping with the experiments and research, such as analyzing feed ingredients and research samples for chemical composition.

During my time in the Veterinary Medicine College l have been actively involved in academic research, working as a student researcher at the Laboratory of Research in Clinical, Surgery and Rehabilitation of Equines (LACCRE/ZMV) and at the Laboratory of Comparative and Translational Oncology (LOCT/ZMV), where I conducted three undergraduate research projects. Before coming to UIUC, I did an internship at the Laboratory of Research in Digestive Health and Equine Performance (LabEqui/FMVZ) and I had the opportunity to present the research on “Inclusion effects of malt rootlets in Horses Diet on pH, short-chain fatty acids and lactic acid fecal concentrations” at the XXII Annual Conference - Brazilian Equine Veterinary Association (ABRAVEQ 2022), which received award as 3rd best poster and oral presentation in the Exercise Physiology, Welfare or Equid Nutrition category.

The opportunity to work and be part of the Monogastric Nutrition Laboratory has been a wonderful experience. I have learned and expanded my knowledge about monogastric nutrition, mainly with swine, and the importance of our work as nutrition researchers for the food industry. I am extremely grateful to Dr. Stein, who gave me this opportunity even being my first time working with pigs, and certainly is providing me not only professional but also a personal growth.