ADVS Summer Internship
Applications for the Summer 2026 Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences (ADVS) Undergraduate Internship Program will open Wednesday, March 4, 2026 and are due Monday, March 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Internship awardees will be notified by Friday, March 27, 2026.
Are you interested in gaining hands-on experience in animal agriculture, biomedical science, or community outreach? The Utah State University Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences (ADVS) offers a Summer Undergraduate Internship Program that includes opportunities in both research and Extension programming. Interns work closely with ADVS faculty mentors and their teams while contributing to projects that advance animal science, agricultural innovation, and community engagement.
Summer interns receive a $4,000 stipend.
To apply, students must submit an application through USU Aggie Handshake.
Also, please follow this link (https://tinyurl.com/yc36th3x) to a Qualtrics form, where applicants will:
- Rank their preferred internship opportunities
- Upload an unofficial transcript
- Provide a short description of their interests and career goals
For questions about the program or application process, please contact Sadie Burt at sadie.burt@usu.edu or 435-797-2162.
ADVS Summer 2026 Internship Opportunities
The Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences invites students to apply for summer 2026 internships supporting a variety of research and Extension projects under the mentorship of ADVS faculty. Brief descriptions of the available opportunities are provided below.
If you have questions about a specific project or expectations such as weekly hours, start date, or end date, please contact the faculty mentor listed for that internship. Unless otherwise noted, the primary location for these internships is the USU Logan campus, although some opportunities may include regional travel.
To apply, submit the basic application through Aggie Handshake and rank your top three internship choices. We will make every effort to place students in one of their preferred opportunities.
Project Title: Impact of lipid oxidation products in thermally abused cooking oils on the gut microbiome
Mentor: Dr. Abby Benninghoff
The gut microbiome plays an important role in digestive health, immune function, and diseases such as colorectal cancer. Diet strongly influences gut microbial communities, and Western-style diets have been linked to increased gut inflammation and cancer risk. This project examines thermally abused oils (TAOs), which are cooking oils repeatedly heated during processes such as deep frying. Repeated heating produces lipid oxidation products that may contribute to oxidative stress and damage to intestinal tissues.
The summer research intern will work with Dr. Benninghoff, a graduate student, and laboratory staff to conduct a mouse study evaluating the effects of TAOs on the gut microbiome. Responsibilities include assisting with mouse husbandry and processing samples for microbiome profiling, including DNA isolation and amplification for 16S rRNA sequencing. The intern will complete required laboratory safety and animal handling training.
Contact: abby.benninghoff@usu.edu
Project: Equine-Assisted Services – Kaysville, UTMentor: Prof. Allie Garlick
This internship with the USU Center for Equine Assisted Services (EAS) in Kaysville provides hands on experience supporting equine assisted learning and community based programs. Interns will assist with training and conditioning horses used in educational and therapeutic programming and will gain exposure to how equine assisted services are delivered through Extension outreach. The program integrates horsemanship, educational programming, and community engagement to support safe and meaningful participant experiences.
The intern will assist with horse handling and conditioning, preparation of horses and facilities for programs, and support of equine assisted learning activities. Interns may also assist with program development, outreach activities, and participant support during Extension events.
Contact: allie.garlick@usu.edu
Project: Ride Utah!
Mentor: Dr. Karl Hoopes
Ride Utah! is a Utah State University Extension outreach program that provides guided trail ride experiences for military service members and their families. The program combines horsemanship with community engagement, offering participants a relaxing outdoor experience with horses while creating space for conversation and support among military families. Events are hosted in locations across Utah and typically include a trail ride, lunch, and facilitated discussion focused on topics relevant to military life and family well-being. The program is part of USU Extension’s mission to connect university resources with communities throughout the state.
The intern will assist with conditioning and preparing horses for trail rides, supporting ride operations, and helping ensure rider safety during events. The intern will also gain experience in equine handling, trail ride safety, and the logistics of hosting Extension programs and community outreach activities.
Contact: karl.hoopes@usu.edu
Project Title: Epigenetic Reprogramming of Trophoblast Stem Cells
Mentor: Clay Isom
The trophoblast is one of the earliest cell types to form in a mammalian embryo and later develops into the placenta, which supports fetal growth during pregnancy. Abnormal trophoblast development is a common problem in cloned and other laboratory-manipulated embryos, but the underlying biological mechanisms are still poorly understood. This project uses trophoblast stem-like cells derived from early pig embryos to better understand how gene regulation and cellular reprogramming influence trophoblast development. The study will examine patterns of DNA methylation, a type of epigenetic modification that controls gene activity, in trophoblast stem cells and fibroblast cells grown in culture. DNA methylation will be analyzed using bisulfite PCR and next-generation sequencing.
The student will assist with preparing cell culture media, collecting biological samples, maintaining fibroblast and trophoblast cell cultures, isolating DNA, performing bisulfite PCR, preparing sequencing libraries, and helping analyze sequencing data. This project provides experience in animal sample collection, cell culture, and molecular biology techniques. The position requires an organized and motivated student willing to learn laboratory methods.
Contact: clay.isom@usu.edu
Project title: Effect of antioxidants on oocyte maturation and embryo development in cattle
Mentors: Dr. Ying Liu and Dr. Irina Polejaeva
Heat stress during the summer months can reduce fertility in dairy and beef cattle, making it more difficult for cows to produce healthy embryos. One reason is that cattle oocytes are sensitive to high temperatures during their development. This project will investigate whether antioxidants can help protect oocytes and improve embryo development under laboratory conditions. Using in vitro fertilization techniques, we will test whether adding antioxidants such as CoQ10 and carnitine improves oocyte quality and embryo development. The study will also examine cellular features of the oocytes, including mitochondrial abundance and function, which play an important role in early embryo development. Findings from this research may help improve the efficiency of cattle embryo production during periods of heat stress.
The intern will receive training in cattle ovary and oocyte collection, in vitro fertilization techniques, and mitochondrial staining methods. The intern will assist with oocyte maturation, fertilization, and monitoring embryo development under different antioxidant treatments.
Contact: ying.liu@usu.edu or Irina.polejaeva@usu.edu
Project title: Evaluation of BenePets® Feed Supplement on Growth Performance in Broiler Chickens
Mentor: Dr. Joseph Okoh
This project evaluates the effects of BenePets®, a natural feed supplement, on growth performance, feed efficiency, carcass yield, meat quality, gut microbiome composition, and economic return in broiler chickens. The supplement is hypothesized to improve body condition and feed utilization. The intern will assist with poultry husbandry, data collection, carcass and meat quality assessment, microbiome sampling, and basic data analysis, as well as participate in extension activities and fact sheet development.
Contact: joseph.okoh@usu.edu
Project: Virtual Fencing and Grazing Management
Mentor: Dr. Chad Page
This internship focuses on research evaluating NoFence virtual fencing technology in sheep and goats at the USU South Farm in Logan, Utah. Virtual fencing systems use GPS-enabled collars to manage livestock movement without physical fences and represent an emerging tool for improving grazing management and livestock production. The project will monitor animal behavior, grazing patterns, and livestock responses to this technology in a working production environment.
The intern will assist with animal handling, monitoring livestock behavior, collecting research data, and supporting daily management of sheep and goats involved in the project. The intern will also contribute to additional small ruminant research projects and assist with Extension activities, including helping with producer workshops and developing research-based fact sheets. This position provides hands-on experience in small ruminant management, applied livestock research, and Extension outreach.
Contact: chad.page@usu.edu
Project: USU Equine Experience
Mentor: Prof. Makenna Pahlke
The USU Equine Experience Summer Extension Internship provides hands on training in Extension programming, equine assisted services, and community outreach. The program uses interactions with horses to support educational, therapeutic, and personal development experiences for a variety of community groups. Interns will work with an Extension faculty mentor to help design and deliver equine assisted programs that serve youth, families, veterans, and other community members. Programs may include outreach focused on youth development, literacy, mental health, adaptive riding, and community wellness. Through this experience, students will gain insight into how Extension programs use horses as a platform for education, engagement, and community support.
The intern will assist with planning and delivering equine-assisted programs, clinics, and outreach events while gaining experience in horse handling, facility preparation, and participant engagement. Additional responsibilities may include supporting the management of a regional equine-assisted services conference, assisting with program promotion and data collection, and contributing to evaluation of Extension program impacts.
Contact: Makenna.pahlke@usu.edu
Project Title: Development of a novel sheep model for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
Mentors: Drs. Iuri Perisse & Dr. Irina Polejaeva
Because the sheep immune system closely resembles that of humans, sheep provide a valuable model for studying immune disorders. In this project, we will use advanced CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to simultaneously target the PRKDC and LYST genes to introduce loss-of-function mutations. These mutations disrupt the development of T and B cells, ultimately producing a severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) phenotype.
The intern will assist with laboratory and animal work related to the development of a gene edited sheep model. Responsibilities may include assisting with sample collection and preparation, basic molecular biology techniques such as DNA extraction and PCR, and helping monitor and record animal health and development. The intern will also gain exposure to gene editing workflows, embryo and reproductive technologies, and data collection associated with livestock biomedical research.
Contact: iuri.perisse@usu.edu or Irina.polejaeva@usu.edu
Project: Dairy Industry Outreach and Applied Research
Mentor: Dr. Drew Swartz
This internship supports Utah State University Extension dairy outreach and applied research programs and provides students with direct exposure to Utah’s dairy industry. The intern will assist with projects focused on dairy management, animal health, technology adoption, and water use in dairy production systems. The position includes representing USU Extension at statewide dairy shows and outreach events and interacting with dairy producers and industry professionals such as hoof trimmers, nutritionists, veterinarians, and allied industry partners.
The intern will gain experience with social science research methods commonly used in Extension programs, including surveys and focus groups with producers and stakeholders. Responsibilities will also include assisting with on farm and off farm data collection for Extension and applied research projects. This position provides opportunities to learn how Extension programs translate research into practical information that supports agricultural producers and rural communities.
Contact: drew.swartz@usu.edu
Project Title: Understanding how anabolic implants improve growth of skeletal muscle in beef cattle
Mentor: Dr. Kara Thornton-Kurth
This project investigates how anabolic implants improve skeletal muscle growth in beef cattle. Although approximately 90% of U.S. feedlot cattle receive anabolic implants and experience 15–20% improved growth, the molecular mechanisms driving this response remain poorly understood. Using samples collected from a recent cattle feeding trial conducted with the GrowSafe system at the USU South Farm, this research will examine how implants influence growth, metabolism, and skeletal muscle biology.
The undergraduate research intern will work with Dr. Thornton, graduate students, and laboratory staff to process and analyze biological samples including blood, skeletal muscle, liver, and rumen fluid. The intern will gain experience in animal growth studies and laboratory techniques such as cell culture, mRNA and protein isolation, and metabolic assays. Additional opportunities may include assisting with related nutrition and muscle growth projects, including occasional field sampling of range sheep in southern Utah. Laboratory experience is not required, but students must be willing to learn laboratory techniques and complete required safety training.
Contact: kara.thornton@usu.edu