Animal science graduate student Erikah Dozier works with Erin Pisano, professor and chair of the Department of Animal and Food Sciences. Pisano’s laboratory develops intestinal organoids of cattle and chickens as models for use in basic research of gut function and development.

Discovering lab research

Article by Molly Schafer Photos by Evan Krape and courtesy of Erikah Dozier January 07, 2025

Animal science graduate student Erikah Dozier discovers her skill and passion for research in UD’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences

University of Delaware graduate student Erikah Dozier is at home in the lab. Surrounded by an assortment of micropipettes and a gel electrophoresis apparatus, Dozier sits at her workbench. In front of her, an ice bucket containing test tubes of DNA awaits her attention.

You’d never know the graduate student in animal science got her start with laboratory work just last year when she enrolled in the UD's Thesis M.S. in Animal Science.

“Coming here, I didn’t have much lab experience,” Dozier said. “I didn’t know how to use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines or run DNA samples on gel electrophoresis.”

As she begins her second year in the program, Dozier is feeling confident.

Dozier wasn’t the only graduate student new to laboratory work. Along with others in her cohort, she learned the ropes through a research assistantship. Students admitted to the Thesis M.S. in Animal Science program are supported by a research or teaching assistantship. This includes 12 months of competitive stipend support each year, a tuition waiver and access to discounted health insurance. During research assistantships, students work closely with a faculty advisor to develop and complete research related to the faculty advisor’s field of study.

“My advisor, Dr. Pisano, has been really patient with me, and I have learned a lot from her,” Dozier said. “I prefer this hands-on learning experience.”

Dozier says courses like Veterinary Biochemistry (ANFS 475/675) taught by Aditya Dutta, assistant professor of reproductive biology, have helped her better understand the PCR work she performs in the lab.

“We learned DNA structure and the mechanism of PCR in class,” Dozier said. “Double-stranded DNA separates into single strands, and primers bind and add more DNA to the strands and make many copies of the interested DNA segment.”

Dozier studies Cryptosporidium parvum (Crypto) infections in cows as part of her research assistantship with Pisano. Students admitted to the Thesis M.S. in Animal Science program are supported by a research or teaching assistantship.

Dozier assists Erin Pisano, professor and chair of the Department of Animal and Food Sciences. Pisano’s laboratory develops intestinal organoids of cattle and chickens as models for use in basic research of gut function and development.

“Organoids are three-dimensional ‘miniature organs’ grown in the laboratory in a tissue culture plate,” Pisano said. “They are created from stem cells of the tissue of interest and can be used to study biological activities of cells and tissues under various experimental conditions.”

Because of their greater complexity of cell types and structures, organoids do a better job of mimicking normal tissue than immortalized cell lines commonly used for in vitro studies.

Dozier says using organoids instead of whole animals is also more economical and less labor intensive.

“I care about animals, and organoids can be used to model disease and allow us to help cure disease without harming animals,” Dozier said. “Instead of animal testing, we can use these lab-created cells to study diseases or test medications.”

Pisano’s lab is studying Cryptosporidium parvum (Crypto) infections in cows. The microscopic parasite can cause lower growth rate, diarrhea, lower nutrient absorption and dehydration in calves.

“We are using organoids made from the small intestine of cows to study how a common gut parasite of calves called Cryptosporidium parvum affects its host’s cells and ways to reduce the negative consequences of infection,” Pisano said.

Seen through a microscope, organoids are three-dimensional “miniature organs” grown in the laboratory.

These consequences extend to farmers who suffer economic impacts when their cows are infected.

Dozier is working to develop a scientific model, a way to demonstrate how Cryptosporidium parvum infects calves.

“I am looking at this on the gene level,” Dozier said. “I'm infecting the organoid with the parasite to show how infection occurs and see the gene regulation.”

In addition to working with her advisor, Dozier enjoys the collegial atmosphere of the Animal Molecular Laboratory in Worrilow Hall, a recently renovated, state-of-the-art facility in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She has learned a great deal working alongside her labmates as they discuss balancing research and school work.

“It’s a great setting,” Dozier said. “We are all graduate students. If one of us is having trouble, we help each other out.”

Even outside of the lab and classroom, Dozier enjoys helping her fellow graduate students. She serves on the Graduate Student Council (GSC), planning social and professional events. She is especially excited about an upcoming workshop on laboratory notebooks.

“We record everything we do in the lab,” Dozier said. “Lab notes should be standardized. This is important so that others can replicate your work.”

This attention to detail will be essential for Dozier as she continues her studies in a Ph.D. program, something she had not originally considered.

“At UD, I discovered how much I enjoy doing research,” Dozier said. “I like making a difference in the agriculture industry. Now I’m planning to pursue a Ph.D. and continue with research.”

Pisano has no doubt Dozier will accomplish her goals.

“Erikah is an outstanding student,” Pisano said. “Her strong work ethic and eagerness to learn new techniques contribute to her overall success.”

“I’ve surprised myself by how much I have learned and grown at the University of Delaware,” Dozier said.

Learn more about graduate programs in the UD Department of Animal and Food Sciences.