Dana McCurdy

Background

About Dana McCurdy

At Foremost Farms, I evaluate and troubleshoot commercial cheese production to resolve challenges, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality cheese products. At BNP Media, I am a technical editor for scientific columns focused on immunity and gut health. We aim to provide the consumer with information regarding ingredients, functionality, food & beverage trends, and the impact of these on gut health and immunity. As a Fermentation Scientist at ADM, I worked on fermentation using probiotic bacterial strains to create natural flavors for food and beverage products. In my Ph.D, I worked on food and feed fermentation for both human and animal products. Focusing on functional components of these products, I worked primarily with Turkish kefir and Japanese natto. Evaluation of the products of fermentation such as vitamins, enzymes, and probiotic efficacy are necessary to fully evaluate the functionality of these fermented products. I also completed mineral analysis and evaluation of boron content in rendered animal products with attention to evaluating the impact boron has on livestock and human nutrition. My master's focused on the impact of feed and feeding style on rumen physiology and development in dairy calves. I explored the impact of supplemental butyrate on rumen fermentation, development, and overall health of the calf in addition to evaluating the incidence of sub-acute ruminal acidosis from pre- to post-weaning. I also worked with feed processing of invasive grass species looking specifically at palatability in cattle, sheep, and goats and the impact feeding infested hay has on animal nutrition.