Rostoll Cangiano is an assistant professor of animal and dairy sciences at UW–Madison. His research focuses on dairy cattle immunology and host pathogen interactions for improving animal health and welfare. Rostoll Cangiano’s position is funded by the Dairy Innovation Hub.
Graduate student (pictured above): Trinidad Fernandez Wallace is pursuing a master’s of science in dairy science and is mentored by Lautaro Rostoll Cangiano. She earned her bachelor of science in agricultural engineering from National University of Cordoba in Argentina. Her research seeks to understand immune changes and adaptations during the periparturient period of dairy cows and how this contributes to disease susceptibility.
The preweaning period is one of the most vulnerable stages in a dairy calf’s life, with high rates of illness and death still common across North America. While antibiotics have traditionally been used to prevent disease during this time, growing concerns about antibiotic resistance and limited effectiveness have highlighted the need for better solutions. Early antibiotic use has been shown in other species to disrupt gut development and immune function. Similar effects may occur in calves, but more research is needed to understand how these treatments impact gut health and immunity in young dairy animals.