Cheyenne Summers

Hometown: Nokomis, IL

Advisor: Dr. Sarah Reed

---

About

Cheyenne is a PhD candidate in Dr. Sarah Reed’s lab at the University of Connecticut and serves on the Executive Board of the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) as a National Graduate Director. Her academic and professional interests include reproductive physiology, fetal programming, endocrinology, equine reproduction, and metabolism.

Her dissertation research focuses on the impact of maternal body condition and metabolism on parturition, lactation, and offspring developmental programming in the horse. In addition to her equine work, Cheyenne has contributed to ovine research investigating multigenerational effects of maternal nutrition on fetal programming, as well as projects examining metabolic alterations associated with idiopathic subfertility using mouse models.

Cheyenne brings extensive hands-on experience in mare and foal care, broodmare and stallion management, and equine breeding facility operations. Prior to joining the University of Connecticut, she served as a Research Specialist in Agriculture at the University of Illinois, where she managed an AAALAC-accredited equine breeding and foaling facility. In this role, she worked closely with veterinarians, breeders, and industry partners, coordinated applied research, and taught undergraduate courses in equine reproduction and management. She is passionate about conducting research that is directly relevant to the equine industry and focused on generating practical, evidence-based insights that support horse health and the people who care for them.
Outside of her academic work, Cheyenne enjoys hiking in the mountains, weightlifting, and running half marathons

Education

• BS, University of Illinois, 2019
• MS, University of Illinois, 2021

Courses Taught

• ANSC 3452. Horse Breeding Farm Management

Selected Publications

Wulster-Radcliffe, M. C., J. N. MacLeod, R. J. Coleman, J. S. Radcliffe, R. B. Epps, C. D. Hanley, C. S. Summers, S. A. Zinn, and S. A. Reed. 2025. Hiring expectations for new and future workers in animal genetics careers. Natural Sciences Education. 54(2). doi:10.1002/nse2.70033.

Summers, C. S., A. S. Reiter, N. M. Tillquist, N. M. Barnello, S. P. Voggu, R. E. Carter, M. Y. Kawaida, K. E. Govoni, and S. A. Reed. 2025. 137 Impacts of maternal nutrition during gestation on second parity F2 offspring growth and metabolism. Journal of Animal Science. 103 (Supplement 3): 162-163. doi:10.1093/jas/skaf300.196.

Summers, C. S., S. A. Zinn, and S. A. Reed. 2025. PSVI-17 Effects of an insulin bolus during intravenous glucose tolerance tests in horses. Journal of Animal Science. 103 (Supplement 3): 422. doi:10.1093/jas/skaf300.483.

Summers, C. S., N. M. Barnello, S. P. Voggu, K. E. Govoni, S. A. Zinn, and S. A. Reed. Impact of maternal body condition on maternal and foal metabolism. 2025. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 148. doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105472.

Summers, C. S., N. M. Tillquist, T. E. Engle, N. M. Barnello, S. P. Voggu, A. S. Reiter, K. E. Govoni, S. A. Zinn, and S. A. Reed. 2024. 112 Effects of maternal body condition on colostrum, foal weight, and foal IgG concentrations. Journal of Animal Science. 102 (Supplement 3): 279-280. doi:10.1093/jas/skae234.321.