University Park, Pennsylvania – A team of students from Penn State, accompanied by teachers of the Agricultural Sciences College and educators of Penn State extensionwon the honors for their research at the Société des sciences Equine 2025 symposium, which was held in Fort Collins, Colorado, in early June.
The international conference brings together equine scientists and biannially to present research and participate in workshops focused on equine science and education. It is a cornerstone to advance equine research and education, as well as to connect equine researchers, students and industry professionals.
The presentations have stood out from their innovation and their practical impact, according to Danielle Smarsh, associate professor of equine science.
“These prices reflect the dedication and expertise of our students, supported by the mentoring of our colleagues from the faculty and extension,” she said.
Molly Friend, a doctorate candidate for the integrative and biomedical physiology program who is advised by Smarsh, obtained second place for her presentation in the student section graduate of equine biosciences.
She also received the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Graduate Student Publication Award, which recognizes the two best graduate students who have symposium research and submit their research for publication in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science within six months of the symposium. A friend presented research focused on the identification of inflammatory changes in the complete results of the number of blood and the characterization of the ranges of inflammatory indices in horses.
Siera Hall, a doctorate candidate for the integrative and biomedical physiology program who is advised by Burt Staniar, an associate professor of equine science, obtained third place for his presentation in the graduated student section in equine production and management.
Hall’s research has examined eating and exercise practices associated with inflammation in Pennsylvania horses, identifying areas of interest in future research and providing information on the equine population of Pennsylvania.
In the undergraduate research category, Cydney Suber, a major in veterinary and biomedical sciences that pursues the Equine science minorobtained second place for its presentation on research carried out with Staniar. She studied the role and the need for shadow in the management of equines, assessing how physiological measures such as heart rate, body temperature and salivary cortisol have been affected by access to shadow structures.
Suber’s research was completed as part of its participation to “fill the gap: training of next generation scientists using animal health technologies”, a program of education and development of labor-oriented workforce and popular experience for undergraduate students of the US Department of Food Agriculture and Agriculture. His experience has been further improved thanks to his participation in the summer program for research opportunities in Penn State.
Emily McGaffigan, a major in animal sciences with a minor in equine science, also presented her research in the first cycle research category. His project, carried out with Smarsh, focused on the effect of sample treatment practices on comprehensive blood numbers, providing a basis based on evidence on how the samples used in the laboratory search are treated.
The USDA-NIFA and Hatch credits supported students’ research.
The educators of the extension of Penn State Laura Kenny and Olivia Watson also presented at the conference. Kenny has presented information on an assessment of the needs led by an extension of the equine industry in Pennsylvania. Watson discussed the educational strategies that the equine industry could use to fill the gap between traditional and online classrooms.
In addition to the group’s academic achievements at the conference, Staniar took second place in the 5K race. Penn State will host the next symposium of the Société des Sciences Equine, scheduled for Harrisburg in the summer of 2027.