Alisa C. Herbst is a postdoctoral associate at Rutgers University. She obtained her PhD in Veterinary Science from the University of Kentucky, specializing in Immunology. Her dissertation focused on the relationship between muscle mass and immune function in senior horses.
Herbst has conducted research at various institutions, including Rutgers University, University of Kentucky, University of Copenhagen, Massey University, and Purdue University. At Rutgers University, she has been involved in multiple research projects, such as studying the needs of the U.S. equine community, investigating the effects of calcium propionate on insulin concentrations, and assessing the reliability of a muscle atrophy scoring system. At the University of Kentucky, she compared monocyte functions between young adult and old horses, determined the relationship between muscle mass and inflammatory markers in horses, and conducted a U.S.-wide online survey on low muscle mass in senior horses. She has also conducted research on young horse management in the racing industry.
Herbst possesses a range of skills and licenses. She has also received several awards and academic distinctions, including grants to support her research on muscle mass in senior horses. In addition, she has presented her research at various conferences, including the Calgary International Equine Symposium, the Hambletonian Continuing Education Seminar, and the Equine Science Society Symposium. She has also authored or co-authored several manuscripts and works in progress, focusing on topics such as muscle atrophy in horses, aging and immune function in horses, and the health and management of senior horses.
Herbst’s Recent Research
“The management of Standardbred breeding stock on commercial properties” C. Rogers, Alisa C. Herbst, K. Langhans, R Stone, R Hirst, E Gee, P Back Proceedings
“A novel approach for set-based association tests of correlated biomarkers” Alisa C. Herbst, Amanda A. Adams, Virginia D. Barker, Dmitri V. Zaykin and Olga A. Vsevolozhskaya. Preprint: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2019.12.18.881425v1.abstract.
“Development and evaluation of a muscle atrophy scoring system (MASS) for horses” Alisa C. Herbst, Mackenzie G. Johnson, Hayley Gammons, Stephanie E. Reedy, Kristine L. Urschel, Patricia A. Harris, Amanda A. Adams DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103771
“Effect of aging on monocyte phagocytic and inflammatory functions and ex vivo inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in horses” Alisa C. Herbst, S. E. Reedy, A. E.
Page, D.W. Horohov, A. A. Adams DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2022.110459
“Retirement risk factors, exercise management, and muscle mass in US senior horses” Alisa C. Herbst, M. C. Coleman, E. Macon, A. Brokman, A. Stromberg, P. Harris, A. Adams DIO: 10.1111/evj.13958
“Owner-reported health and disease in US senior horses” Alisa C. Herbst, E. Macon, M. C.
Coleman, P. A. Harris, A. A. Adams Under review
“2022 U.S. Equine Community Needs Assessment Survey” Alisa C. Herbst, K. S. Hartmann, D.
Orban Brown, K. Malinowski Under review
“Demographics and health of U.S. senior horses used in competitions” Alisa C. Herbst, M. C. Coleman, E. Macon, P. A. Harris, A. A. Adams Under review
Further Reading
Muscle Atrophy Research in Horses and Ponies. Kimberly S. Brown. MySeniorHorse.com
