Five graduate students recognized for research supporting dairy producers and agricultural innovation
ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has selected five graduate students conducting research aimed at advancing the dairy industry as recipients of the organization’s 2026 National Dairy Leadership Scholarships.
The scholarship program, which supports academic research relevant to dairy cooperatives and producers, recognizes students whose work addresses challenges and innovation opportunities across animal science, food safety, dairy manufacturing and environmental sustainability.
The recipients were confirmed during the NMPF Board of Directors meeting held June 9 in Arlington, Virginia.
“Congratulations to each recipient of this year’s NMPF scholarships,” said NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud. “The dairy industry continues to reinvest in its future, securing academic research and development that is critical to advancing dairy’s mission. We are proud to support these dairy leaders in their educational pursuits.”
The scholarship program is part of NMPF’s broader effort to encourage research that can contribute to the long-term competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of the dairy sector.
Research projects address disease prevention, sustainability and food science
This year’s recipients are pursuing graduate-level research in several areas considered strategically important to the dairy industry, including animal health, environmental management, food safety and dairy product development.
Pari Baker, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Biology’s Molecular Virology Program at Case Western Reserve University, is researching how mammary epithelial cells respond to highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus.
Her work focuses on identifying host determinants of susceptibility to the virus, an area of growing interest as the dairy and agricultural industries continue monitoring animal health risks associated with avian influenza outbreaks.
At Cornell University, doctoral candidate Haowen Hu is studying Animal Science with research focused on improving whole-farm environmental modelling in U.S. dairy systems. His work evaluates environmental models and applies field-based refinements aimed at improving sustainability measurement and farm management practices.
Gabriela Alejandra Macay Hernandez, a doctoral candidate in Animal Science at the University of Florida, is studying how semen components affect reproductive and developmental processes in dairy cattle.
Her research examines endometrial and oviductal responses and their influence on embryo development, fetal development and postnatal offspring performance.
In South Dakota, doctoral candidate Vaishali Poswal is studying Dairy Manufacturing at South Dakota State University. Her research focuses on environmental listeria persistence and biofilm formation in dairy microbial communities, while also exploring the development of antimicrobial peptide bio-sanitizers designed to improve contamination control in dairy production facilities.
Jayden Scott, a master’s student in Food Science at Washington State University, is researching the relationship between microbiomes, proteolysis and flavour development in white cheddar cheese varieties.
Industry continues investing in research and workforce development
The NMPF scholarship initiative reflects broader efforts within the dairy industry to support workforce development and scientific innovation as producers face evolving market, environmental and regulatory pressures.
Industry organizations and academic institutions have increasingly emphasized research in areas such as biosecurity, food safety, environmental efficiency and animal welfare, particularly as dairy producers adapt to changing consumer expectations and sustainability goals.
NMPF said the scholarship program helps encourage the next generation of researchers and technical specialists whose work may contribute directly to the operational and economic performance of dairy cooperatives and producers.
The federation represents dairy farmers and cooperatives across the United States and frequently partners with universities and research institutions on industry-focused initiatives.
The scholarship recipients represent a diverse range of academic disciplines connected to the dairy supply chain, from microbiology and virology to food science and environmental modelling.
NMPF also noted that contributions to the scholarship program help expand support for future students pursuing dairy-related research and education.
The organization encouraged industry stakeholders and supporters to learn more about the scholarship initiative and contribute to future funding through the program’s official scholarship platform.
The annual scholarship program remains one of several industry-backed initiatives aimed at strengthening research capacity and encouraging innovation across the North American dairy sector.