The Department of Animal Science congratulates three graduate students who brought home top awards for their research at the 2025 Equine Science Society (ESS) meeting.

Wesolowski wins graduate competition

Lauren Wesolowski won first place in the Graduate Oral Presentation Competition, Production and Management category, with her study, Blue light exposure impacts exercise-induced inflammatory markers in yearling horses. The Institute of Equine Sciences (IES), EquiLume and the Link Endowment supported her research.

She also earned first runner-up for the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (JEVS) Student Publication Award and serves as the 2023–25 graduate student representative on the ESS board of directors.

DiSilvestro earns dual awards for nutrition research

Adrianna DiSilvestro claimed second place in the Graduate Oral Presentation Competition, Nutrition category, with her presentation, Impacts of dietary starch on exercise-induced inflammatory markers in yearling Quarter Horses. The AgriLife Animal Health and Disease Research Capacity Funding program supported her work.

She also captured one of two JEVS Student Publication Awards.

Williams takes third in exercise science

Brooke Williams secured third place in the Graduate Oral Presentation Competition, Exercise Science category, for her study, Impacts of repeated fatiguing exercise on mitochondria in Thoroughbreds. The IES, U.S. Department of Agriculture (Johnson, principal investigator) and the Link Endowment supported her research.

These students exemplify the department’s commitment to advancing equine science through impactful research and leadership.

Lauren Wessolowski, Adrieanna DiSilvestro and Brooke Williams holding their certificates and standing with Dr. Sarah White-Springer.