British Society of Animal Science Announces Winners of the Undergraduate Thesis Of The Year Award 2023

The British Society of Animal Science is delighted to announce the winners of the prestigious Undergraduate Thesis Of The Year Award for 2023. The competition, which recognises outstanding research in the field of animal science, saw a high level of submissions from universities across the UK.

Winner: Emily Hancock - University of Nottingham

• Thesis Title: Effect of oregano oil on milk yield, methane emissions, and feed efficiency of dairy cows. Emily Hancock of the University of Nottingham secured the top spot with her groundbreaking research on the impact of oregano oil on various aspects of dairy cow performance.

Second Place: Molly Watkins - University of Nottingham

• Thesis Title: Effect of milk yield on the carbon footprint of milk production from Holstein Friesian dairy cows. Molly Watkins, also from the University of Nottingham, clinched second place with her in-depth exploration of the environmental implications of milk production.

Third Place: Amy Willats - Writtle University College

• Thesis Title: The association of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) C789A in the dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene (DBH) and aggressive behavior in Pitbull-type dogs. Amy Willats of Writtle University College secured the third position with her research on the genetic factors influencing aggressive behavior in Pitbull-type dogs.

 

Highly Commended: The following students received special recognition for their outstanding theses:

• Caitlin Duggan - Aberystwyth University Thesis Title: Mapping the R0 of Bovine Tuberculosis in cattle within England and Wales: is there potential for future eradication, under the currently implemented test and control strategies?
• Sarah Meeke - College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise Thesis Title: The Effect of Breed and Storage on Nutritional Composition of Dairy Colostrum.
• Iona Maree Scott - SRUC Thesis Title: An Investigation into the Perceived Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Development of Canine Separation Anxiety from the Veterinary Perspective.
• Darcey Bowser - Duchy College Thesis Title: An Investigation into modern equine management practices and their impact on the prevalence of equine agonistic behaviors.
• Karl Schmidtke - Duchy College Thesis Title: Kinematic action under applied rein tension of the loose ring single-jointed snaffle bit.
• Caitlin Marie Smithers - University of Chester Thesis Title: Assessing potential risk factors for microbiological contamination in raw meat-based diets for UK pet dogs: a reflection on owner storage practices and meat source.
• Winter Drake-Wilkes - Abingdon and Whitney College Thesis Title: The impact of puzzle feeders and water bowl raisers as feline enrichment to combat food abstinence.
• Laura Dayot - University of Limerick Thesis Title: Application of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to Measure the Composition of Mare’s Colostrum and Milk.
• Abby Westerside - Harper Adams University Thesis Title: The effect of enclosure design on the nocturnal behavior of red river hog (Potamochoeus porcus) and the potential impacts on welfare.

The British Society of Animal Science congratulates all the winners and highly commended participants for their exceptional contributions to the field of animal science. The caliber of research presented this year showcases the dedication and talent of the next generation of animal scientists.