Melissa Elischer

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In this role, Melissa Elischer focuses on dairy cattle and animal behavior and welfare with the 4-H Science Team. This includes planning and managing events like the Michigan 4-H Dairy Conference and Michigan 4-H Youth Dairy Days; curriculum and resource development, such as the 4-H Animal Care and Well-Being bookmarks and guide and Animal Science Anywhere lessons; working with local 4-H Program Coordinators staff to present educational content; and guest lectures in the Department of Animal Science. Melissa has state-wide coverage and has traveled to almost every corner of Michigan presenting educational session for 4-H youth, volunteers, parents, and staff.

Prior to joining MSU Extension, Melissa was a graduate research assistant at MSU and an undergraduate research assistant to Purdue University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, with a concentration in Animal Care and Well-being and minors in Biology and Philosophy, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Design and Technology, with a concentration on Lighting D&T with a minor in Women's Studies from Purdue University. She obtained her Master of Science at MSU in Animal Science with her thesis titled Characterizing the health and welfare of periparturient dairy cows in a pasture-based automatic milking system.

Awards:

2023 MSU Extension Excellence in Teaching Award

2022 MSU Extension Institute Team Award: Children and Youth Institute Michigan 4-H Animal Science Skillathon Team

2022 MSU Extension Institute Team Award: Children and Youth Institute LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Team

2022 Michigan Association of Extension 4-H Youth Staff (MAE4-HYS) Excellence in Peer Professional Development Award

2021 MSU Extension Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Impact Award

2016 Michigan Association of Extension 4-H Youth Staff (MAE4-HYS) Presidential Citation

Journal Publications:

Elischer, M.F., L.M. Sordillo, J.M. Siegford, and E.L. Karcher. 2015. Short communication: Characterizing metabolic and oxidant status of pastured dairy cows postpartum in an automatic milking system. Journal of Dairy Science. 98, pp. 7083-7089. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-8941

Elmore, M. R. P. , M. F. Elischer, M. C. Claeys, E. A. Pajor. 2015. The effects of different flooring types on the behavior, health, and welfare of finishing beef steers. Journal of Animal Science. 93, pp. 1258–1266. doi: https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2014-8399

Elischer, M.F., M.E. Areco, E.L. Karcher, and J.M. Siegford. 2013. Validating the accuracy of activity and rumination monitor data from dairy cows housed in a pasture-based automatic milking system. Journal of Dairy Science. 96, pp. 6412-6422. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-6790

Selected MSU Extension Publications

Animal welfare at the fair: Thermoregulation and thermoneutral zone (2021)

Animal welfare at the fair: Heat stress (2021)

Animal welfare at the fair: Water consumption (2021)

Animal welfare for youth: Part 1 - What is animal welfare? (2020)

The Five Freedoms: A history lesson in animal care and welfare (2019)

History of dairy cow breeds: Jersey (2016)

History of dairy cow breeds: Brown Swiss (2016)

Animal adaptations for winter (2015)

History of dairy cow breeds: Holstein (2014)