Mieko Temple

Graduate student by day, artist by night. Thesis research focused on antibiotic alternatives in livestock feed, and broiler chicken metabolism and gut microbiome.

Excited by host-microbe interactions and exotic animal medicine. Inspired by my students and how much they teach me.

Passionate for science communication and conservation research. Committed to bridging the gap between agriculture, conservation, and the public.

Determined to sharing research facts, debunking science myths, and making STEMM an accessible, inclusive, and inspiring field for everyone.

Education

MS, Agriculture - 2020

Specialization: Animal Science

Thesis: Identifying antibiotic alternatives forbroilers, and classifying metabolically beneficial strains of gut microbes

CaliforniaPolytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA

 

BS, Animal Science - 2017

Concentration: Pre-Veterinary Medicine; Minor: Equine Science

Senior Research: Digestibility of alternative calcium supplements in commercial laying hens

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA

Honors & Awards

Animal Science Graduate Merit Scholarship | Sep 2017-Sep 2019

Scholarship awarded by the Animal Science Department of Cal Poly for high academicachievement. Annual award of $12,000 for two years.

Dean's List | Fall  2012, 2015, 2016; Winter  2013, 2014; Spring  2013

Achieving a GPA of 3.5 or greater when enrolled in 12 or more graded units.

Research Contributions

Published Articles

1)     Tracy, L.M., S.M. Temple, D.C. Bennett, K.A. Sprayberry, M.M. Makagon, and R.A. Blatchford. 2019. The reliability and accuracy of palpation, radiography, and sonography for the detection of keel bone damage. Animals. 9(11):894-901. 10.3390/ani9110894.

2)     Pullin, A.N., S.M. Temple, D.C. Bennett, C. Rufener, R.A. Blatchford, and M.M. Makagon. 2019. Pullet rearing affects long-term perch use by laying hens in enriched colony cages. Proc. Cong. Int. Soc. App. Etho. 53:1. 10.13140/RG.2.2.24774.42565.

3)     Hernandez, G., V. Smith, S.M. Temple, D.C. Bennett, D. Columbus,M. Rice, M. Burd, K.A. Sprayberry, M.S. Edwards, D. Peterson, R. Fanter, C.Kitts, M. La Frano, D.G. Burrin, R. Manjarin, and M. Maj. 2019. A diet-inducedpediatric model of non alcoholic fatty liver disease using neonatal iberianpigs (OR26-02-19). Exp. Anim. Nutr. 690. 10.1093/cdn/nzz033.OR26-02-19.

Manuscripts in Preparation

1)     Temple, S.M., T.O. Reid, J. Walls, R. Cabrera, and D.C.Bennett. Effect of Activo Liquid intake during the pullet to layer transitionperiod on early egg production and egg quality in commercial table egg layers.To be submitted to Poultry Science.

Conference Presentations (*presented by)

1)     Temple, S.M.*, T.K. O’Leir Reid, and D.C. Bennett. Effect of antimicrobial feed additives on growth, feed conversion, and bone strength in broiler chickens. Presented at the annual Pacific Egg and Poultry Association meeting, Waikaloa, HI. 2020.

2)     O’Leir Reid, T.K.*, S.M. Temple, and D.C. Bennett. Relationship between bone strength and bone mineralization in laying hens. Presented at the annual Pacific Egg and Poultry Association meeting, Waikaloa, HI. 2020.

3)     Young, M.A.*, A.C. Ulans, K.L. Erath, K.E. Gardner, T.K. O’Lear Reid, S.M. Temple, and D.C. Bennett. Effect of diatomaceous earth on eggshell quality and bone strength of laying hens. Presented at the annual Pacific Egg and Poultry Association meeting, Waikaloa, HI. 2020.

4)     Temple, S.M.*, T.O. Reid, J. Walls, R. Cabrera, and D.C. Bennett. Effect of essential oils on early egg production and quality during pullet to layer transition. Presented at annual California Animal Nutrition Conference, Fresno, CA. 2019; annual Pacific Egg and Poultry Association meeting, Anaheim, CA. 2019.

5)     Makagon M.M., Pullin A.N.*, Temple S.M., Bennett D.C., Blatchford R.A. Behavior of laying hens reared in cage versus aviary pullet systems. Presented at the annual International Poultry Scientific Forum, Atlanta, Georgia. 2019.

6)     Tracy L.*, Temple S.M., Bennett D.C., Sprayberry K.A., Makagon M.M., Blatchford R.A. The reliability of palpation, x-ray, and ultrasound techniques for the detection of keel bone damage. Presented at the annual International Poultry Scientific Forum, Atlanta, Georgia. 2019.

7)     Boylan, G.S.*, O’Lear Reid T., Temple S.M., Bennett D.C. Relationship between bone strength and bone mineralization in laying hens. Presented at the annual CAFES Summer Undergraduate Research Conference, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California. 2018.

8)     Reyes J.M.*, Temple S.M., Bennett D.C. Effect of feed additives on growth and feed conversion in broiler chickens. Presented at the annual CAFES Summer Undergraduate Research Conference, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California. 2018.

9)     Pullin A.N.*, Temple S.M., Bennett D.C., Blatchford R.A., Makagon M.M. Impacts of rearing environment on laying hen keel bone impacts in enriched colony cages. Presented at the annual International Congress of the International Society of Applied Ethology, Prince Edward Island, Canada. 2018.

10)   Tracy L.*, Temple S.M., Bennett D.C., Sprayberry K.A., Makagon M.M., Blatchford R.A. The reliability of palpation, x-ray, and ultrasound techniques for the detection of keel bone damage. Presented at the annual International Congress of the International Society of Applied Ethology, Prince Edward Island, Canada. 2018.

11)   Temple S.M.*, O’Lear Reid T., Walls J., Cabrera R.A., Bennett D.C. The effect of essential oils on early egg production during the pullet to layer transition. Presented at the annual Poultry Science Association meeting, San Antonio, Texas. 2018.

12)   Temple S.M.*, O’Lear Reid T., Walls J., Cabrera R.A., Bennett D.C. The effect of essential oils on early egg production during the pullet to layer transition. Presented at the annual Cal Poly College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences Research Symposium, California State University, San Luis Obispo, California. 2018.

13)   Hernandez, G.V.*, Smith, V., Temple, S.M., Sprayberry, K., Burd, M., Bennett, D.C., Edwards, M.,  Rice, M., Columbus, D., Kitts, C., La Frano, M.R., Peterson, D., Burrin, D., Maj M., Manjarin, R. Development of a Pediatric Model of NAFLD in Neonate Iberian Pigs. Presented at the annual Cal Poly College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences Research Symposium, California State University, San Luis Obispo, California. 2018.

14)   Pullin A.N.*, Temple S.M., Bennett D.C., Blatchford R.A., Makagon M.M. The effect of rearing environment on laying hen keel bone impacts sustained in enriched colony cages. Presented at the annual Pacific Egg and Poultry Association meeting, Napa, California. 2018.

15)   O’Lear Reid T.*, Thompson C., Temple S.M., Bennett D.C. The Effects of a Trace Mineral Supplement derived from seawater on Egg Shell Quality, Bone Strength and Mineral Content. Presented at the annual CAFES Summer Undergraduate Research Conference, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California. 2017.

Research Experience

Gilbert Martin Foundation Exotic Animal Nutrition Fellow, San DiegoZoo Global | Jun-Dec 2019

Worked with nutritionists, vets, pathologists, and keepers to maximize animal health. Collaborated with: Forage Commissary; Browse team; Behavior and Welfare Department.

Skills performed: diet formulation; body conditionscore assessment (visual/palpate); managed research and projects, including:medical history analysis for elephant chronic bloat; duiker spp. hand-rearingprotocol review to improve survivability of hand-reared offspring; designedenrichment-focused diet for servals to stimulate and illicit species-specificbehaviors; identify key species requiring dietary browse.

Development of a Pediatric Model of NAFLD in Neonate Iberian Piglets | Sep 2017-Jun 2018

Assisted Dr. Rodrigo Manjarin and team in the management and husbandry of animals during disease modeling trials, raising neonatal pigs to 10 weeks of age for tissue harvest.

Skills performed: mixed experimental diets, weighedanimals, collected blood samples, and participated in tissue sample collectionat culmination of study.

Cal Poly Poultry Senior Research Student | Jan-Sep 2017

Senior Research: Digestibility of alternative calcium supplements in commercial laying hens

Skills performed: poultry handling and behavior; organizationand execution of a research trial series; obtaining dry matter from collectedfecal samples.

Cal Poly Dairy Behavior Study Volunteer | Sep 25, 2016; Mar 29-Apr 2, 2017

Assisted Cal Poly Dairy faculty and student employees perform Glucose Tolerance Tests on dairy cows, assessing glucose uptake between control and experimental groups; administered experimental feed supplement, monitored herd organization, and record keeping of cows receiving supplement.  

Skills performed: herd and individual handlingbehavior of dairy cattle; administration of IV glucose; monitoring andassessing dairy cattle behavior.

Veterinary Experience

Pre-Veterinary Student, Cal Poly & Cal Poly Veterinary Clinic | Sep 2012-June 2017

Alongside veterinary professors and peers, learned basic medical skills and practices, participated in patient care, surgeries, and necropsies, and was a member of the Cal Poly Vet Club.

Extern for the Neonatal ICU at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute | Mar 22-Mar 28, 2015

Worked alongside doctors and nursing staff in neonatal ICU. Assisted with care of newborn foals recovering from different conditions. Administered fluids, medications, and other procedures, supervised by patients’ veterinarian. Assisted with delivery of two foals.

Skills performed: Hospital patient admittance andcare, biosecurity protocol, and IV fluid administration.

Vet Tech to Dr. Barbara Kollin, DVM | Summer  2012, 2013, 2014

Assisted Dr. Kollin in her private small animal veterinary practice. Experience with dogs, cats, and exotic birds.

Skills performed: patient care, restraint, in-take, record keeping, administering medications, fluids, taking blood samples. 

Cal Poly Veterinary Clinic Employee & Lab Instructor | Jan-Dec 2013

Taught Vet Clinic Enterprise labs and supervised student work study sessions; assisted with patient visits and surgeries; performed clinic duties, as well as duties of student managers, including data and file organization (paper and computerized).

Skills performed: taught students basic veterinary medical skills, including suturing, blood analysis (e.g., hematocrit/packed cell volume, fecal floats), proper disinfecting; logging controlled drugs; preparing samples for lab analysis; input of data and client/patient information into computer system and filing system.

Peninsula Equine Medical Center Externship | Sept 12, 2013

Shadowed Dr. Russ Peterson, owner and chief veterinarian at Peninsula Equine Hospital. Observe intradermal injections for preshow preparation of sport horse athletes. Toured digital radiography, ultrasonography technology, nuclear scintigraphy, and surgery suites. Consulted with veterinary staff on current cases.

Skills learned: Management and flow of jointlarge emergency hospital and ambulatory practice.

Bayhill Equine Sports Medicine Practice Externship | Sept 17-28, 2013

Served as vet tech to veterinary staff. Assisted with lameness exams, joint injection preparation, ultrasound/radiography preparation, expression of hoof abscess. Toured Equine Rehabilitation Center. Observed shockwave therapy and hydrotherapy.

Skills performed: Details of sport medicine ambulatory practice and care of Grand Prix athletes pre-, during, and post-show.

Research Interests

  • Animal nutrition
  • Antibiotic alternatives
  • Digestive tract health
  • Gut microbiome
  • OneHealth
  • Veterinary medicine

SciComm Interests

  • Accessibility
  • Endangered species
  • Inclusivity
  • Online/virtual teaching
  • Science illustration
  • Women in STEMM leadership

Professional Societies

  • American Society of Animal Science
  • Council on Undergraduate Research
  • Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research
  • Poultry Science Association

Leadership & Mentorship Experience

Laboratory Instructor for ASCI 225, Poultry Science | Sep 2017-Present

Created hands-on curriculum, including: anatomy and physiology dissections; tours of campus and industry facilities related to poultry; applications and implications of biosecurity protocols; and collaboration with Animal Science faculty/staff to understand the interconnected impact of poultry and other niches in Animal Science. 

Undergraduate Student Research Supervisor | Sep 2017-Present

Provided mentorship, guidance, and supervision for undergraduate student researchers.

Students mentored: 25 | Projects supervised: 6

Facilitator for the Supplemental Workshops for the Sciences Program | Mar 2014-Sep 2017

Collaborated with College of Science and Mathematics faculty to teach and co-create curriculum (i.e. worksheets, activities, mock exams) for students to practice and apply lecture material to improve understanding and mastery, through group-based learning.

Position Requirements: attended class lectures,then synthesized curriculum (i.e. worksheets, interactive activities) forstudents to apply lecture material; 1.5-hour classes, four times/week.

Cal Poly Veterinary Clinic Employee & Lab Instructor | Jan-Dec 2013

See previous description in "Veterinary Experience"

Services to the University

Tabulations Volunteer for the California FFA State Championship | May 6,2017

Assisted in collecting, organizing, scanning, and inputting tabulationsscores of participating FFA students. Created official score results andassigned awards to winning teams.

Student participant in AG 452: Issues in California Agriculture | Jan 2016-Mar 2016

Publication Topic: Communication and Public Perception

Collaborated with peers, advisor, Dr. Mark Shelton, and agriculture industry representatives. Capstone publication and oral presentations focused on five relevant agriculture industry issues.

Officer of the Cal Poly Equestrian Team | May 2013-Jun 2016

Herd Co-manager | May 2013-Jun 2014

Oversaw health and management of team horses. Managed diets, medications, exercise, pain management, and veterinary care.

President | Jun 2014-Jun 2015

Represented team to Cal Poly administrators, as well as when traveling to shows. Managed team logistics and acted as coach to members at shows. Participated in region and zone logistical planning meetings.

Horse Show Co-manager | Jun 2015-Jun 2016

Event planner for annual horse show hosted at the Cal Poly campus. Procured event insurance, EMT, show judge, horses for show, etc. Hosted away teams and horses in order for show to run smoothly.

Co-Chair of CAFES Open House | May 2014-Jun 2016

Organized annual College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences Open House. Oversaw three committee directors, fifteen committee chairs, and over a hundred student volunteers, and communicated between committees and respective faculty/staff advisors to ensure a cohesive Open House event.

Co-Chair Specialty Animal and Veterinary Medicine FFA State Championship | Mar 2014-Jun 2015

Organized Specialty Animal & Veterinary Medicine competition for state FFA Championship. Created tests, secured judges for competition, collected materials for tests, and oversaw fairness and honesty of test takers during competition.

Student Representative for President Jeffrey D. Armstrong | Sep 2013-Jun 2016

Attended campus events as Dr. Armstrong’s guest and student representative to: current, incoming, and prospective students, parents, and supporters to explain Cal Poly’s opportunities and programs; Cal Poly donors and supporters to help explain and display student involvement, programs, and achievements.

Dept of Animal Science Student Based Fees Committee Member | Mar 2013-Jun 2017

Advised department head on where and on what to use accessory budget funds; planned and organized annual department banquet; participated in selection of new faculty; attended campus events, including the Evening of Green & Gold, as student ambassador to Cal Poly donors, supports, and advisory board committee members.

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