White is a professor of animal and dairy sciences at UW–Madison and faculty advisor for the Dairy Innovation Hub. Her research program focuses on the health and nutrition of dairy cows during the transition period and is centered on hepatic and whole-animal nutrient partitioning and metabolism. White’s research strives to determine the mechanism of nutrient partitioning, feed efficiency, and metabolic health in order to provide science-based solutions and interventions to improve dairy cow health and productivity.
Post-doc (pictured above): Tanya France received her PhD in Animal Science with a concentration in dairy cattle nutrition and molecular nutrition from Cornell University. During her post-doc France intends to form a better understanding of fetal programming and hepatic gene expression and gaining experience in various laboratory analysis techniques.
White and her post-doc France are investigating hepatic carbon flux during the transition to lactation, a critical period for health and productivity, and the onset of metabolic disorders. This project aims to offer a better understanding of the etiology, onset, progression, and genetic predisposition to metabolic disorders, such as ketosis and fatty liver, in cattle.