Pedram Rezamand

Professor & Department Head

Dr. Pedram Rezamand is an animal nutritionist. He has been conducting both applied and basic research that has included whole animal studies as well as primary and transformed cell culture models. He is interested in studying interactions between nutrient metabolism and inflammation. In applied research, he studies the efficient use of feed additives, agricultural coproducts, and processing methods to enhance efficiency of nutrient utilization and decrease dietary input, all leading to a more sustainable animal agriculture.

Dr. Rezamand has recently focused on studying the effects of wildfire smoke on animal health/productivity in collaboration with Dr. Amy Skibiel (University of Idaho; Livestock and Wildfire Research Hub), as well as on colostrum management, calf nutrition, and health outcomes in young calves in collaboration with Dr. Laarman (University of Alberta) and Dr. Konetchy (University of Idaho).

Here at UConn, in collaboration with Dr. Elias Uddin and Dr. Breno Fragomeni, Dr. Rezamand studies Phosphorus excretion in dairy and how it is impacted by genetic and/or environmental factors. He teaches dairy management, career paths in animal science, and graduate professional development II (presentation skills).

Education

  • Ph.D., Animal Science (nutrition), University of Connecticut, 2006
  • M.S., Animal Science (nutrition), Tehran-Iran, 1995
  • B.S., Animal Science, Tehran-Iran, 1991

Teaching

  • ANSC/SAAS 3261/261. Dairy Cattle Management I
  • ANSC 3194. Career Paths in Animal Science
  • ANSC 5002. Graduate Professional Development: Communication, Teaching, and Digital Presence

Research Areas / Expertise

  • Animal Nutrition
  • Health Outcomes
  • Inflammation & Oxidative Stress
  • Feeds & Feeding

Selected Publications

  1. Kamyabi, M., Sarantopulos, D., Pace, A., De Moura Pereira, L., Konetchy, D., Rezamand, P., & Skibiel, A. L. (2026). Pulmonary and systemic physiological responses to natural wildfire smoke exposure in lactating dairy cows. Frontiers in Animal Science, 7, 1876386. https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2026.1876386
  2. Pace, A., Rezamand, P., & Skibiel, A. L. (2026). Invited review: The impact of wildfires, air pollution, and air quality on the health and production of dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 109(2), 878–894. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2025-27023
  3. Wolfe, A. R., Agustinho, B. C., Mahdavi-Yekta, M., Contreras, G. A., Konetchy, D. E., Laarman, A. H., & Rezamand, P. (2025). Effect of weaning strategies on biosynthesis of oxylipids in Holstein dairy calves. JDS Communications, 6(1), 149–153. https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2024-0600
  4. Agustinho, B. C., Wolfe, A., Tsai, C. Y., Pereira, L. M., Konetchy, D. E., Laarman, A. H., & Rezamand, P. (2024). Effects of weaning age and pace on blood metabolites, cortisol concentration, and mRNA abundance of inflammation-related genes in gastrointestinal, adipose, and liver tissue of Holstein dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 107(6), 3988–3999. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-23642
  5. Pace, A., Villamediana, P., Rezamand, P., & Skibiel, A. L. (2023). Effects of wildfire smoke PM2.5 on indicators of inflammation, health, and metabolism of preweaned Holstein heifers. Journal of Animal Science, 101. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skad246

Selected Awards and Honors

  • The R. C. Heimsch Research Excellence Award, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Idaho (2023)
  • Students Organization Advisor Award, University of Idaho (2020)
  • Animal & Veterinary Science Departmental Teaching Award, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Idaho (2018)

    Outreach and Service

    As Department Head, Dr. Rezamand provides leadership while maintaining active engagement with agricultural producers, industry stakeholders, and communities. His outreach includes educational workshops on ice cream production, meat science, and calf health and nutrition, as well as engagement with Farm Bureau dairy and livestock committees. Through these activities, he shares research-based knowledge, strengthens connections between the department and agricultural stakeholders, and supports dairy and livestock producers and communities in Connecticut and beyond.

    Professional Profiles

    Pedram Rezamand Portrait (contributed)
    Contact Information
    Emailpedram.rezamand@uconn.edu
    Phone860-486-2413
    Office LocationGeorge White Bldg., Room 108