Meet the Muscle Food Biochemistry Lab Members
Dr. Chaoyu Zhai
Dr. Chaoyu Zhai is a tenure-track faculty member in Animal Science at the University of Connecticut (UConn) with a 70:30 research and teaching split appointment. He is passionate about protein chemistry and mitochondrial biology in the farm-to-table process of muscle food production. His interdisciplinary program is tightly bundled with noninfectious animal disease, animal nutrition, muscle biology, protein chemistry, and machine learning algorithms.
Academic Positions
- Assistant Professor (10/2022-Present), Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, CT
- Graduate Research Assistant (07/2018-09/2022), Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, CO
- Visiting Research Scholar (09/2016-10/2017), Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, KY
- Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant (07/2015-06/2018), College of Food Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, China
Current Lab Members
Arya Niraula
Arya is pursuing her PhD in Dr. Chaoyu Zhai’s lab, where she investigates the impact of preharvest factors on postmortem muscle biology, muscle-to-meat conversion, meat quality, and protein post-translational modifications in livestock. She is proficient in various techniques including western blotting, peptide enrichment, spectrophotometry, and colorimetry. In her spare time, Arya enjoys reading books.
Education
DVM, Purbanchal University, 2022
MS and PhD, University of Connecticut, 2023 – Present
Chen Zhu
Chen Zhu is a PhD student in Dr. Chaoyu Zhai’s lab studying the area of meat science. Her research project focuses on exploring the relationship between postmortem muscle biology and meat quality parameters, with particular emphasis on the metabolic changes in proteins and peptides. Specifically, she investigates protein-metabolite interactions in postmortem skeletal muscle and seeks to understand the dynamic functionality of mitochondria responsible for variations in fresh meat quality.
Education
BS, Michigan State University, 2020
MS, University of Connecticut, 2023
PhD, University of Connecticut, 2023 – Present
Loretta Bigelow
Loretta is an undergrad student in Dr. Chaoyu Zhai’s lab. Her research project examines the effect of pulmonary hypertension on bovine skeletal muscle proteome remodeling. Loretta is planning on applying to veterinary school with the goal of working with large animals, and she believes that her experiences working in the Zhai lab will greatly benefit her in the future and open lots of doors.
Savanah Battles
Savanah Battles is a Pre-Grad animal science student. Currently pursuing academic interests and developing foundational experiences in the field.
Diana Vazquez
Diana Vazquez is a Pre-Vet animal science student. Focused on building skills and contributing to future research in animal science.
Althea Hoag
Althea Hoag is a Pre-Vet/Pre-Grad animal science student. Looking forward to gaining research experience and expanding knowledge in muscle food biochemistry.
Maggie Tian
Maggie Tian is a Pre-Grad animal science student in Dr. Chaoyu Zhai’s lab. Interested in applying classroom learning to hands-on projects and collaborative work.
- Dr. Sarah Reed
- Dr. Mary Anne Amalaradjou
- Dr. Abhinav Upadhyay
- Dr. Kumar Venkitanarayanan
- Dr. Jeremy Balsbaugh (UConn Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility)
- Dr. Jen Liddle (UConn Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility)
- Dr. Terry Engle (Colorado State University, Ruminant nutrition)
- Dr. Adam Chicco (Colorado State University, Cardiorespiratory Physiology and Metabolism)
- Dr. Steven Lonergan(Iowa State University, Meat and Muscle Biology)
- Dr. Elisabeth Huff-Lonergan (Iowa State University, Meat and Muscle Biology)
- Dr. Benjamin Bohrer (Ohio State University, Meat and Muscle Biology)
- Dr. Ranjith Ramanathan (Oklahoma State University, Meat Chemistry)
- Dr. Mahesh Nair (Colorado State University, Meat Science)