My name is Xitlaly Andrade, and I was born to Mexican parents and raised in Aurora, Illinois. I earned my bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Growing up, I often visited my grandfather’s dairy farm in Mexico, which sparked my passion for working with animals. I especially enjoy being outdoors and working with livestock.

Although I originally planned to work with companion animals, I found that I preferred working on farms. In high school, I gained experience alongside veterinarians at a small-town clinic, and during my summers at the University of Illinois, I worked on a small livestock farm. There, I cared for ponies, goats, alpacas, chickens, and miniature cattle, though my favorite animal was a miniature pig.

As an undergraduate, I was fortunate to work with Dr. Nathan Proudman as a wildlife photo tagger, documenting wildlife in Santa Cruz, California, and Urbana, Illinois. This opportunity strengthened my interest in animal behavior. In September 2023, I began working as a farmhand at the University of Illinois Swine Research Center. I learned about farm management and the development of swine, farrow-to-finish. For a short time, I assisted researcher Jessica Acosta, a member of Dr. Hans H. Stein’s Monogastric Nutrition Laboratory. This experience introduced me to fecal analysis, data analysis, and manuscript writing, and allowed me to connect with Dr. Stein’s research team, eventually leading me to join the lab.

Now, as a University of Illinois alumna, I am grateful to work full-time at the Swine Research Center and contribute to a variety of research projects. I look forward to continuing to expand my knowledge in swine nutrition and to supporting the research conducted in Dr. Stein’s laboratory.