Research Philosophy

The primary goal for any research program in a land-grant university should be to establish a creative, innovative research program with the potential to make significant and lasting contributions. The emphasis for Dr. Tyler’s research program is on the discovery of new ideas, concepts, or paradigms, and as such, there is an element of risk inherent in such endeavors. It is critical that all research, whether basic or applied, have high potential for significant real-life application.

Graduate students are encouraged to develop independent research programs within the broad parameters described within Dr. Tyler’s interest areas. It is difficult to foster the creativity necessary to recognize current issues that have the potential to be solved through research, and to design the appropriate project that will best answer the question, if the projects are already outlined, designed, and funded prior to the graduate student’s arrival. Students that have been directly involved in determining the direction of their own research project, in designing that project, and in procuring the required funding to complete the project, are far better prepared to be independent researchers following graduation. If the primary and unique product of a university is a well-trained and motivated graduate, then research programs become a means to that end, rather than recruiting graduate students as a means to enhance the research output of the faculty member. High-quality research output is therefore a by-product of effective graduate student training.

Ultimately, a primary responsibility of this position is to develop a fundable research program that is innovative and recognized for excellence. One part of this goal, then, is the communication of findings in the appropriate arena. Presentations at national and international meetings as well as publication of manuscripts are necessary. Collaborative efforts with nationally and internationally recognized researchers with similar interests and goals are also essential.

Our research team poses for a photo opportunity during a project testing
the effects of different techniques for the irradiation of colostrum
replacers on absorption of immunoglobulins from these products.
Lower (L-R): Lucy Ray, Dr. Josie Coverdale
Upper (L-R): Betsy Hefty, Amber Dodge, Jessica Witt, Tamika Lang, Aracely Acevedo

Sylvia Wawrzyniak, Carrie Hammer, and Allison Riddle having a
rare quiet moment while conducting several research
projects in California

Tricia Blum prepares to take an arterial blood sample from an abnormally
large newborn cross-bred calf for a study determining physical
and behavioral markers indicating stress during delivery

A set of triplets born during a birth stress project at
Joseph Gallo Farms in Atwater, CA
Lower (L-R): Amanda Eason, Kristin Hard, and Betsy Hefty
Upper (L-R): Howard Tyler, Tricia Blum

Allison Riddle and Libby Johnson prepare to take a blood
sample from a cow immediately after calving.

Rebekah Ritson prepares an umbilical vessel from a
cloned Holstein calf for culture.

A cloned gaur calf born from an interspecies pregnancy.

Allison Riddle, Josie Booth, and Libby Johnson listen to Dr. Doug Armstrong (Research Director at Henry Doorly Zoo) while buddying up to a giraffe	Obtaining rumen fluid from a sable antelope a project on nutritioal strategies to enhance reproductive function in geriatric ruminants

A gaur cow anxiously waits her turn to donate ova for a project exploring the viability of IVF-derived Gaur embryos in interspecies pregnancies	Allison Riddle is highly concerned as Josie Booth is attacked by a giant penguin.

A newborn foal wearing a plastic muzzle to prevent nursing during a project
to determine the effectiveness of an equine-specific colostrum replacer

A calf catheterized in an ear artery to allow determination of arterial
blood pressure following infusion of intravenous
immunoglobulin preparations.

A cecally-cannulated gelding used to determine the digestibility
of soyhulls in equine diets.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Hammer, C.J., J.D. Quigley, L. Ribeiro, and H.D. Tyler. 2004. Characterization of a colostrum replacer and colostrum supplement containing IgG concentrate and growth factors. J. Dairy Sci. 87:106-111

Coverdale, J.A., Tyler, H.D., Quigley, J.D., and J.A. Brumm. 2004. Effect of various levels of forage and form of diet on rumen development and growth in calves. J. Dairy Sci. 87:2554-62.

Campbell JM, Russell LE, Crenshaw JD, Weaver EM, Godden S, Quigley JD, Coverdale J, Tyler H.D. 2007. Impact of irradiation and immunoglobulin G concentration on absorption of protein and immunoglobulin G in calves fed colostrum replacer. J. Dairy Sci. 90:5726-31.

Scientific Abstracts

A.L. Riddle, H.D. Tyler, and J.D. Quigley. 2003. Relationship between placental characteristics, delivery parameters and placental retention. J. Dairy Sci. 86 (Suppl 1):145

A.L. Riddle and H.D. Tyler. 2003. Factors affecting postpartum placental blood volume. J. Dairy Sci. 86 (Suppl 1):243

A.L. Riddle, H.D. Tyler, M.L. O'Brien, K.J. Touchette, and J.A. Coalson. 2003. The absorption of immunoglobulins from a plasma-based IgG supplement. J. Dairy Sci. 86 (Suppl 1):246

J.A. Booth, H.D. Tyler, and J.D. Quigley III. 2003. Effect of various levels of crude fiber and form of diet on rumen development in calves. J. Animal Sci. 81 (Suppl 1):136

J.A. Booth. J.A. Moore, H.D. Tyler, and P.A. Miller. 2003. Soybean hulls as an alternative feed for horses. Proceedings of the Eighteenth Equine Nutrition and Physiology Society. p. 31

C.J. Hammer, J.D. Quigley, L. Ribeiro, and H.D. Tyler. 2003. Characterization of a colostrum replacer containing IgG concentrate and growth factors. J. Dairy Sci. 86 (Suppl 1):21

K. Kimura, J.P. Goff, T.A. Reinhardt, S. Sato and H.D. Tyler. 2003. Association between retained placenta and impaired neutrophil function in dairy cows. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 44 (Suppl 1) :P27     

J.M. Campbell, L.E. Russell, J.D. Crenshaw, E.M. Weaver, H.D. Tyler, S. Godden, and J.D. Quigley. 2007. .Impact of irradiation and immunoglobulin level on absorption of protein and IgG in calves fed colostrum replacers. J. Dairy Sci. 90 (Suppl 1):296

Invited Scientific Talks

“Managing the Dairy Cow and Calf at Parturition”, 2004 Midwestern Section ASAS/ADSA Annual Meeting, March 16, 2004