Mini CV
Amy T. Desaulniers, Ph.D.
Curriculum Vitae
Spring 2023
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology (2018)
USDA-NIFA AFI ELI Predoctoral Fellow
Department of Animal Science
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M.S. in Reproductive Physiology (2013)
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Animal Science
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
B.S. in Animal Science (2010)
Division of Animal Sciences
University of Missouri-Columbia
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
Assistant Professor of Reproductive Physiology
School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2021 – Present
Courtesy Assistant Professor
Department of Animal Science
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2023 – Present
Assistant Professor of Biology
School of Natural Sciences
University of Central Missouri
2018 – 2021
PUBLICATIONS
10) White, B.R., R.A. Cederberg, D.H. Elsken, C.E. Ross, C.A. Lents and A.T. Desaulniers. 2022. Role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone II and its receptor in swine reproduction. Mol Reprod Dev 1–11.
9) Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, E.P. Carreiro, C.B. Gurumurthy and B.R. White. 2020. A transgenic pig model expressing a CMV-ZsGreen1 reporter across an extensive array of tissues. J Biomed Res, 35(2): 163–173.
8) S. Manca, B. Upadhyaya, E. Mutai, A.T. Desaulniers, R.A. Cederberg, B.R. White and J. Zempleni. 2018. Milk exosomes are bioavailable and distinct microRNA cargos have unique distribution patterns. Sci Rep. 8(1): 11321.
7) Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. Expression and role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2 and its receptor in mammals. Front Endocrinol. 8:269. Invited review.
6) Lents, C.A., J.F. Thorson, A.T. Desaulniers and B.R. White. 2017. RFamide-Related Peptide 3 and Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone-II are Autocrine-Paracrine Regulators of Testis Function in the Boar. Mol Reprod Develop. 84:994 – 1003.
5) Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg and B.R. White. 2017. Production of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone II receptor knockdown swine line. Transgenic Res. 26(4):567 – 575.
4) Desaulniers, A.T., W.R. Lamberson and T.J. Safranski. 2016. Prenatal heat stress reduces male anogenital distance at birth and adult testis size, which are rescued by concurrent maternal Artemisia absinthium consumption. J Therm Biol. 57:84 – 91.
3) Brauer, V.M., J.R. Wiarda Bell, A.T. Desaulniers, R.A. Cederberg and B.R. White. 2016. Functional activity of the porcine Gnrhr2 gene promoter in testis-derived cells is partially conferred by nuclear factor-κB, specificity protein 1 and 3 (SP1/3) and overlapping early growth response 1/SP1/3 binding sites. Gene. 587: 137 – 146.
2) Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills, J.J. Ford, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2015. LH-independent testosterone secretion is mediated by the interaction between GNRH2 and its receptor within porcine testes. Biol Reprod. 93:45.
1) Thorson, J.F., A. T. Desaulniers, C. Lee, B. R. White, J. J. Ford and C. A. Lents. 2015. The role of RFamide-related peptide 3 (RFRP3) in regulation of the neuroendocrine reproductive and growth axes of the boar. Anim Reprod Sci. 159:60 – 65.
AWARDS & HONORS
Research
2023 Courtesy Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science, UNL
2022 NU 2 NIH Faculty Development Program, UNL ORED
2022 UNL Faculty Slammer
2021 Research Development Faculty Fellowship Program, UNL ORED
2020 Invited Faculty Mentor, Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction
2018 Midwest American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Young Scholar Award
2017 Gamma Sigma Delta Outstanding Graduate Student Award
2016 – 2017 Widaman Distinguished Graduate Fellowship
2014 & 2017 USDA-NIFA-AFRI Research Merit Award
2017 ASAS-SSR Triannual Reproduction Symposium Flash Talk Competition Finalist
2012 & 2017 IETS Society Graduate Student Oral Competition Finalist
2011 & 2015 Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction Pre-Doctoral Poster Award
2015 NPOD/NGN Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Fellow Poster Competition Award
2011 – 2012 Milton E. Mohr Biotechnology Fellowship
Teaching
2016 – 2017 Milton E. Mohr Teaching Fellowship
2016 National Pork Board Swine Innovation Award
2014 John Hallman Memorial Teaching Award
Travel Awards
2021 IANR Travel Grant
2018 UCM Scholarly Activity Fund
2016 & 2018 Large Animal Genetic Engineering Summit Trainee Travel Award
2017 Gilbert S. Greenwald on Reproduction Trainee Travel Award
2017 Graduate Travel Awards Program (GTAP) awardee
2012 & 2016 David H. & Anne E. Larrick Memorial Student Travel Award
2016 Cayman Chemical Travel Grant
2014 William G. Whitmore Memorial Student Travel Fund
ORAL PRESENTATIONS & ABSTRACTS
*Denotes my trainee(s)
29. Nordell*, N.E., C.J. Bernhard, M. Wegner*, R. Metcalf*, J. Rupert*, D. Lagundžin, K. Sharma, K.G. Sharp, T.J. Safranski, M.C. Lucy, and A.T. Desaulniers. 2023. In utero exposure to maternal heat stress impairs Leydig cell development and function in the boar. Midwest Animal Science. Madison, WI.
28. Ross, C.E., G.A. Mills, A.T. Desaulniers, C.A. Lents, and B.R. White. 2022. GnRH-II and its receptor influence sperm morphology and kinematics. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Spokane, WA.
27. Clifton*, L.K., A.M. Petty*, M.L. Burns* and A.T. Desaulniers. 2022. Early weaning impairs reproductive development and fertility of the male. ASAS Midwestern Section Annual Meeting.
26. McFee, R.M. and A.T. Desaulniers. 2022. Lecture notes, online quizzes, in-class review sessions, and in-class assignments were perceived as more beneficial for student learning compared with lecture recordings for a flipped version of an animal physiology course. Veterinary Educator Collaborative Meeting.
25. Desaulniers, A.T., H.R. Wijesena, R.A. Cederberg, A.K. Lindholm-Perry, B.N. Keel, C.E. Ross, D.H. Elsken, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2021. The testicular transcriptome of GnRHR-II knockdown boars. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Virtual.
24. Burns*, M.L., A.M. Petty*, L.K. Clifton*, K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2021. Corn-cob bedding impairs the development and long-term function of murine testes. Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction and Regenerative Medicine. Virtual Flash Talk.
23. Burns*, M.L., A.M. Petty*, L.K. Clifton*, K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2021. Exposure to corn-cob bedding during pubertal development impairs testosterone secretion and seminal vesicle development in male mice. 25th Annual MKN McNair Heartland Research Conference. Kansas City, MO.
22. Burns*, M.L., A.M. Petty*, L.K. Clifton*, K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2021. Effects of corn-cob bedding on murine testis development and function. UCM McNair Symposium. Warrensburg, MO.
21. Petty*, A.M., K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2020. Elucidating steroidogenesis in the neonatal boar. Gilbert S. Greenwald Symposium on Reproduction and Regenerative Medicine. Virtual Flash Talk.
20. Petty*, A.M., and A.T. Desaulniers. 2020. Bioavailability of seminal plasma-derived exosomes in the female reproductive tract. 24th Annual MKN Heartland McNair Conference. Virtual Oral Presentation.
19. Petty*, A.M., and A.T. Desaulniers. 2020. Isolation of ZsGreen1-Labeled Exosomes from Seminal Plasma of Transgenic Boars. UCM Undergraduate Research Fair. Warrensburg, MO.*Abstract accepted but presentation canceled due to COVID-19
18. Ebrecht*, M.A., B.R. White, K.W. Lovercamp and A.T. Desaulniers. 2020. Effects of Exogenous GnRH-II Treatment on Motility of Porcine Spermatozoa. UCM Undergraduate Research Fair. Warrensburg, MO. Oral Presentation. *Abstract accepted but presentation canceled due to COVID-19
17. Ebrecht*, M.A., A.T. Desaulniers and K.W. Lovercamp. 2019. Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-II (GnRH-II) on boar sperm quality when stored in a long-term semen extender. 23rd Annual MKN Heartland McNair Research Conference. Kansas City, MO. Oral Presentation.
16. Ebrecht*, M.A., A.T. Desaulniers and K.W. Lovercamp. 2019. Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-II (GnRH-II) on boar sperm quality when stored in a long-term semen extender. UCM McNair Scholars Research Symposium. Warrensburg, MO. Oral Presentation.
15. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills and B.R. White. Use of genetically engineered pigs to elucidate the reproductive physiology of the boar. 2019. Missouri Physiological Society. Columbia, MO.
14. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills and B.R. White. A transgenic swine model to elucidate ovarian steroidogenesis in gilts. 2018. Large Animal Genetic Engineering Summit. Park City, UT.
13. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills and B.R. White. 2018. Aberrant corpus luteum development and function in GnRH-II receptor knockdown gilts. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA. Flash talk.
12. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills and B.R. White. Knockdown of GnRH-II receptor alters corpus luteum development and function in gilts. 2018. Rocky Mountain Reproductive Sciences Symposium. Fort Collins, CO.
11. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. Knockdown of the GnRH-II receptor in the porcine testis impairs the biosynthesis of 10 gonadal steroids. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C.
10. Desaulniers, A.T., E.P. Carreiro, R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. Testis composition and steroidogenic protein abundance in GnRH-II receptor knockdown boars. ASAS-SSR Triannual Reproduction Symposium and Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C. Flash talk.
9. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, R.V. Knox, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. GnRHR-II knockdown swine have constitutively lower serum testosterone concentrations, impaired sensitivity to GnRH analogues and reduced semen quality. International Conference on Pig Reproduction. Columbia, MO.
8. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2017. Testicular GnRH-II receptor knockdown impairs diurnal testosterone secretion in the boar. International Embryo Technology Society (IETS) Annual Meeting. Austin, TX.
7. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2016. Use of genetically engineered swine to elucidate testis function in the boar. Large Animal Genetic Engineering Summit. Bethesda, MD.
6. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2016. Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone II receptor (GnRHR-II) knockdown on testosterone secretion in the boar. Society for the Study of Reproduction Meeting. San Diego, CA.
5. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2016. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone II receptor (GnRHR-II) knockdown reduces testis size and decreases testosterone secretion during pubertal development in swine. ASAS/ADSA Midwestern Section Annual Meeting. Des Moines, IA.
4. Desaulniers, A.T., R.M. McFee and B.R. White. 2016. Evaluation of case-based reasoning to promote learning and swine industry interest in an undergraduate reproductive physiology course. ASAS/ADSA Midwestern Section Annual Meeting. Des Moines, IA.
3. Desaulniers, A.T., R.A. Cederberg, G.A. Mills, C.A. Lents and B.R. White. 2014. LH-independent testosterone secretion is mediated by the interaction between GnRH2 and its receptor within the testis. Society for the Study of Reproduction Annual Meeting. Grand Rapids, MI.
2. Desaulniers, A. T., A. M. Voss, R.A. Cederberg, C. Lee, G. A. Mills, M. D. Snyder, and B.R. White. 2012. Production of GnRH-II receptor knockdown swine. International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) Annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ.
1. Desaulniers, A. T., and T. J. Safranski. 2010. Retrospective analysis of factors affecting sperm production/quality measures in a boar stud. ASAS/ADSA Midwestern Section Annual Meeting. Des Moines, IA.
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
Great Plains IDeA-CTR (Fall 2022 – Present)
Nebraska Center for the Prevention of Obesity Diseases [(NPOD); Spring 2022 – Present]
Association for Women in Sciences (2021 – Present)
American Physiological Society (2018 – Present)
Missouri Physiological Society (2019 – Present)
Missouri Academy of Sciences (2020 – Present
American Society of Animal Science (2010 – 2012 and 2015 – Present)
Society for the Study of Reproduction (2013 – Present)
Gamma Sigma Delta (2016 – 2018)
International Embryo Technology Society (2012 – 2018)
Nebraska Physiological Society (2013 – 2014)