Anna Naim Position/Title: M.Sc. by Thesis email: naima@uoguelph.ca Phone: (647) 382-5531 Office: ANNU 045 Research Gate LinkedIn Twitter

Background

I graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, in the Department of Integrative Biology. I acquired an undergraduate research assistant position with Dr. Christine Baes in the Animal Biosciences Department, where I assisted Dr. Emily Leishman with her PhD project investigating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and robustness in domestic turkeys. Here, I gained valuable insight into the poultry industry and a true passion for scientific poultry research. During my final year of undergrad, I developed a capstone research project investigating the relationship between feather corticosterone and fault bars in turkey feathers. This led me to a M.Sc. by Thesis position with Dr. Alexandra Harlander where I am studying feather pecking in laying hens, with a focus on the microbiota-gut-brain axis and avian immunology. The Harlander Lab explores the behaviour, welfare and physiology of domestic birds, with outstanding and innovative ongoing studies constantly evolving.

I also obtained a Bachelor of Design majoring in Fashion Communication at Ryerson University, and have previous experience in the fashion industry. My passions include animal welfare, wildlife rehabilitation and conservation, and fashion design.

Current Research

I am currently conducting research on the feather pecking behaviour that develops in laying hens. Feather pecking is when birds peck repetitively at others causing feather and skin damage. Previous studies have found that high feather pecking hens have decreased microbial diversity and Lactobacillus in the gut. Lactobacillus supplementation was shown to improve immune response and prevent the increase in feather pecking behaviour in stressed subjects. I am examining the microbiota-gut-brain axis and immune response of birds exposed to stressors that can elevate feather pecking. I am measuring cytokines (IL-6 and IL-1B) and immunoglobulins (IgA) in plasma samples, and T-cells in PBMC samples to analyze avian immune response. I will also be investigating laying hens' preference to access a prebiotic using preference testing.

Fellow Feather Pecking Researcher:

• Gillian Hughes

Previous Feather Pecking Research:

• Mindus, C., N. van Staaveren, A. Bharwani, D. Fuchs, J. M. Gostner, J. B. Kjaer, W. Kunze, M. F. Mian, A. K. Shoveller, P. Forsythe and A. Harlander-Matauschek. 2021. Ingestion of Lactobacillus rhamnosus modulates chronic stress-induced feather pecking in chickens. Sci. Rep. 11:1–14 Available at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96615-x.

• Mindus, C., N. van Staaveren, D. Fuchs, J. M. Gostner, J. B. Kjaer, W. Kunze, M. F. Mian, A. K. Shoveller, P. Forsythe and A. Harlander-Matauschek. 2021. L. rhamnosus improves the immune response and tryptophan catabolism in laying hen pullets. Sci. Rep. 11:1–15 Available at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-98459-x.

Academic History

• Bachelor of Design, Fashion Communication, Ryerson University (2015)
• Bachelor of Science, Honours in Zoology, University of Guelph (2021)
• Master of Science, Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph (2023)

Awards and Achievements

• Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) - 2020