Cassidy Klima, Ph.D., an expert in bovine health and antimicrobial resistance, brings her expertise to Texas A&M as a joint faculty member of Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Amarillo and College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical SciencesVMB, Veterinary education, research and awarenessVERO, program on West Texas A&M University campus in Canyon.

As VERO’s newest veterinary educator and researcher, Klima hopes to contribute to the program’s growth and impact by advancing innovative bovine health research, fostering strong industry-academia collaborations, and mentoring the next generation of veterinary scientists.

Canadian roots

After earning her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, Klima stayed at the institution to complete her master’s degree in the same field. She then completed her doctorate at the University of Saskatchewan, where her passion for cattle health research began to take shape.

While working on her doctorate, Klima gained valuable experience at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Institution. There, she focused on comparing genetic information from various organisms to identify effective vaccine components for boosting cattle’s defenses against bovine respiratory diseases.

“At Agriculture and Agri-Food, a mentor gave me the opportunity to get involved in cattle research,” said Klima. “That’s how I transitioned into this field, which seemed natural to me given my family’s background in ranching and agriculture. »

After completing her doctorate, Klima expanded her expertise through a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Calgary, where she studied how bacteria in cattle develop resistance to antibiotics, and a position as a research scientist at Feedlot Health Management Services, where she conducted research aimed at improving cattle. health and well-being.

Outside of beef cattle research, Klima also studied antimicrobial resistance in chickens as part of a second postdoctoral fellowship at Iowa State University and helped improve trade and beef cattle industry policies as technical director of the Beef Cattle Research Council and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.

Klima’s career – shaped by a blend of academic, mentoring, research and industry experience – has equipped her with a diverse skill set spanning microbiology, food safety, production policy and health animal. This breadth of expertise underscores her commitment to addressing livestock health challenges, which she now brings to her role at Texas A&M.

Although Klima is originally from Alberta, Canada, her transition to life in Canyon felt familiar.

“Lethbridge, Alberta is the heart of Canada’s ranching country,” Klima said. “It’s pretty much the equivalent of Canyon, Texas, in that sense.”

Advancing bovine health

As an assistant professor at VMBS Department of Veterinary PathobiologyVTPB, Klima plans to focus on bovine health, particularly antimicrobial resistance, food safety and combating microbes that cause respiratory diseases in cattle.

“My goal is to build a research program that makes a real difference to production,” said Klima. “I want to address some of the difficult questions in bovine health that we have struggled to answer using the latest technologies now available.”

Klima’s unique dual appointment with VERO and AgriLife Research in Amarillo expands its research horizons. She looks forward to actively engaging with AgriLife researchers and their committees to integrate her work across sectors.

“Texas A&M AgriLife’s connections with industry, academia and government are essential to find effective solutions and secure research funding,” said Klima. “They provide perspective on where our work can make the biggest difference, beyond just academia. »

Train the leaders of tomorrow

A key aspect of Klima’s teaching philosophy is its emphasis on mentoring rather than traditional textbook learning.

“Students are the foundation of the future,” Klima explained. “My goal is to mentor them and help them develop various skills that cannot be learned from books alone. It’s about developing character and resilience, which are crucial in science.

Klima believes that VERO’s supportive environment, where faculty genuinely invest in the growth of their peers, enhances students’ learning experiences. She hopes to enhance VERO’s reputation, ensuring that students recognize the value of coming to Canyon to be part of this unique community.

“When faculty are committed to your growth beyond just academic tasks, it transforms the student experience,” Klima said. “I want to help grow VERO’s reputation as a unique opportunity where students receive a level of personal investment not easily found in other programs.”

Klima’s collaborative approach aligns perfectly with VERO’s team culture. She is excited to join a group of researchers who, although working in similar fields, each bring unique perspectives and problem-solving techniques.

“At VERO, the emphasis is on synergy,” said Klima. “We focus on community, building relationships and finding opportunities to collaborate. Although many of us have similar interests in topics important to animal production and health, our unique backgrounds have equipped us with different skills and perspectives – this diversity strengthens our collective efforts.

Look forward to

Although she has only been in her new role for a month, Klima is optimistic about the future. She plans to continue her work on antimicrobial resistance, mobile genetic elements and global animal health initiatives, while remaining open to evolving research directions.

“I would love to tell you exactly what I will be working on in five years, but research is like a river: it often takes you in unexpected directions,” Klima said. “Of course, much of what I will initially focus on will be focused on improving animal health and production efficiency, but I believe that over the coming months my opportunities will broaden as I connect with more people, explore new funding avenues, and align on goals. changing priorities of different groups.

This story written by Sophie Cela was originally published on Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences website.