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Samantha BeznerPosition/Title: MSc Student email: sbezner@uoguelph.ca Phone: Office: ANNU 116
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In 2023 I graduated with my BSc in Animal Biology, during which time I completed an ANSC*4700 research project with Dr. David Huyben and Sonja Drosdowech, looking at the impact of insect proteins on the gut microbiome of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
I have continued into a MSc by thesis in the Huyben lab, focusing on functional micronutrients and their role in rainbow trout nutrition. Our first research trial outlined the differences between synthetic and organic astaxanthin, a pigment and antioxidant, when coloring and altering growth performance in rainbow trout. Following this, we will look at how selenium and prebiotic yeast impact gut microbiome, health parameters, and growth performance of rainbow trout at cold, optimal, and hyperthermic temperatures.
As of March 2025, I am in my third semester and am taking graduate level courses in order to improve my capability to perform research and analysis. My current courses include ANSC*6480 - Advanced Animal Nutrition II and UNIV*6020 - Applied Agricultural Stats.
Ultimately, my goal is to continue on as a researcher that betters the understanding of fish nutrition, health, and physiology for the aquaculture field.
Publications
Drosdowech, S., Bezner, S., Daisley, B., Chiasson, M., Easton, A., Rooney, N., Huyben, D. 2024. Influence of feeding black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus) and superworm (Zophobas morio) on the gut microbiota of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). J. Appl. Microbiol. 135(12): https://doi.org/10.1093/jambio/lxae295