Assistant Professor, Ruminant Nutritional Physiology/Molecular Biology

Professional Experience

2024-Present Assistant Professor of Ruminant Nutritional Physiology/Molecular Biology
Department of Animal and Food Sciences
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

2023-2024 Postdoctoral Scholar
Department of Animal and Food Sciences
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

2020-2023 Graduate Research Assistant                                                                        
Department of Animal and Food Sciences
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY2018-2019 

2018-2019 Graduate Research Assistant                                                                      
Department of Animal Sciences
North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND

2017-2017 Undergraduate Research Assistant
Forage-Animal Production Research Unit
USDA-ARS, Lexington, KY

2014-2017 Animal and Food Sciences Student Worker
Department of Animal and Food Sciences
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

RESEARCH PROGRAM

Principal or co-investigator on over $1.4 million in research funding for projects relating to ruminant nutrition and physiology. Author or co-author on 26 peer-reviewed journal articles, 7 conference proceedings papers, and 16 abstracts.

TEACHING PROGRAM

Teaching:

Primary course instructor for ASC 683: Protein Metabolism

Primary course instructor for ASC 689: Physiology of Nutrient Digestion and Absorption

Research Training and Mentorship:

Currently supervising the training of 1 postdoctoral scholar, 2 visiting scholars, 1 M.S. student, and 5 undergraduate students.

PUBLICATIONS

Trotta, R. J., K. K. Kreikemeier, and D. L. Harmon. 2024. Influence of flake density and starch retrogradation on in vitro gas production kinetics, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation characteristics of steam-flaked corn. J. Anim. Sci. 102:skae308. doi:10.1093/jas/skae308

Trotta, R. J., K. C. Swanson, J. L. Klotz, and D. L. Harmon. 2024. Influence of postruminal casein infusion and exogenous glucagon-like peptide 2 administration on the jejunal mucosal transcriptome in cattle. PLOS ONE. 19:e0308983. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0308983

Trotta, R. J., D. L. Harmon, and J. L. Klotz. 2024. Serotonin receptor-mediated vasorelaxation occurs primarily through 5-HT₄ activation in bovine lateral saphenous vein. Physiol. Rep. 12:e16128. doi:10.14814/phy2.16128

Crouse, M. S., R. J. Trotta, H. C. Freetly, A. K. Lindholm-Perry, B. W. Neville, W. T. Oliver, C. J. Hammer, J. G. Syring, L. E. King, T. L. Neville, L. P. Reynolds, C. R. Dahlen, J. S. Caton, A. K. Ward, and R. A. Cushman. 2024. Disrupted one-carbon metabolism in heifers negatively affects their health and physiology. J. Anim. Sci. 102:skae144. doi:10.1093/jas/skae144

Valente, E. E. L., J. L. Klotz, R. C. Markmann, R. J. Trotta, J. L. Edwards, J. B. May, and D. L. Harmon. 2024. Levodopa attenuates the feed intake reduction caused by ergot alkaloids in cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 102:skae078. doi:10.1093/jas/skae078

Trotta, R. J., M. A. Vasquez-Hidalgo, B. I. Smith, S. A. Reed, K. E. Govoni, K. A. Vonnahme, and K. C. Swanson. 2023. Timing of maternal nutrient restriction during mid- to late-gestation influences net umbilical uptake of glucose and amino acids in adolescent sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 101:skad383. doi:10.1093/jas/skad383

Trotta, R. J., K. C. Swanson, J. L. Klotz, and D. L. Harmon. 2023. Postruminal casein infusion and exogenous glucagon-like peptide 2 administration differentially stimulate pancreatic α‐amylase and small intestinal α‐glucosidase activity in cattle. J. Nutr. 153:2854-2867. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.08.009

Trotta, R. J., K. K. Kreikemeier, S. Foote, K. R. McLeod, and D. L. Harmon. 2023. Influence of anti-coccidial compounds and phytogenic saponin extracts on in vitro and in vivo ruminal fermentation and methane production of cattle. Animals. 13:2308. doi:10.3390/ani13142308

Trotta, R. J., D. L. Harmon, H. Ji, and J. L. Klotz. 2023. Duration of ergovaline exposure influences serotonin-mediated vasoactivity of bovine mesenteric vasculature. J. Anim. Sci. 101:skad100. doi:10.1093/jas/skad100

Schiff, A. P., R. J. Trotta, V. Holder, K. K. Kreikemeier, and D. L. Harmon. 2023. In vitro gas production kinetics are influenced by grain processing, flake density, starch retrogradation, and Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract containing α-amylase activity. J. Anim. Sci. 101:skad031. doi:10.1093/jas/skad031

Webb, K. L., R. J. Trotta, Y. Jia, P. J. Bridges, and J. C. Matthews. 2022. Influence of form of selenium supplementation and tall fescue endophyte toxicity on growth performance, serum parameters, and tissue masses of grazing beef steers. Transl. Anim. Sci. 6:txac122. doi:10.1093/tas/txac122

Trotta, R. J., K. K. Kreikemeier, R. F. Royle, T. Milton, and D. L. Harmon. 2022. Corn processing, flake density, and starch retrogradation influence ruminal solubility of starch, fiber, protein, and minerals. J. Anim. Sci. 100:skac149. doi:10.1093/jas/skac149

Trotta, R. J., D. L. Harmon, J. C. Matthews, and K. C. Swanson. 2022. Nutritional and physiological constraints contributing to limitations in small intestinal starch digestion and glucose absorption in ruminants. Ruminants. 2:1-26. doi:10.3390/ruminants2010001

Trotta, R. J., K. K. Kreikemeier, R. F. Royle, T. Milton, and D. L. Harmon. 2021. Flake density and starch retrogradation influence in situ ruminal degradability characteristics of steam-flaked corn and predicted starch digestibility and energetic efficiency. J. Anim. Sci. 99:skab298. doi:10.1093/jas/skab298

Trotta, R. J., K. K. Kreikemeier, R. F. Royle, T. Milton, and D. L. Harmon. 2021. Influence of air equilibration time, sampling techniques, and storage temperature on enzymatic starch availability of steam-flaked corn. J. Anim. Sci. 99:skab162. doi:10.1093/jas/skab162

Trotta, R. J., and K. C. Swanson. 2021. Prenatal and postnatal nutrition influence pancreatic and intestinal carbohydrase activity of ruminants. Animals. 11:171. doi:10.3390/ani11010171

Trotta, R. J., K. R. Maddock-Carlin, and K. C. Swanson. 2021. Influence of ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation on pancreatic digestive enzyme activity in finishing steers. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 101:191-195. doi:10.1139/CJAS-2020-0092

Trotta, R. J., C. O. Lemley, K. A. Vonnahme, and K. C. Swanson. 2021. Effects of nutrient restriction and melatonin supplementation from mid- to late-gestation on maternal and fetal small intestinal carbohydrase activities in sheep. Domest. Anim. Endocrinol. 74:106555. doi:10.1016/j.domaniend.2020.106555.

Trotta, R. J., F. E. Keomanivong, J. L. Peine, J. S. Caton, and K. C. Swanson. 2020. Effects of maternal nutrient restriction and rumen-protected arginine supplementation on post-ruminal digestive enzyme activities of lamb offspring. Livest. Sci. 241:104246. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104246

Trotta, R. J., A. K. Ward, and K. C. Swanson. 2020. Influence of dietary fructose supplementation on visceral organ mass, carbohydrase activity, and mRNA expression of genes involved in small intestinal carbohydrate assimilation in neonatal calves. J. Dairy Sci. 103:10060-10073. doi:10.3168/jds.2020-18145

Trotta, R. J., M. A. Vasquez-Hidalgo, K. A. Vonnahme, and K. C. Swanson. 2020. Effects of nutrient restriction during midgestation to late gestation on maternal and fetal postruminal carbohydrase activities in sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 98:skz393. doi:10.1093/jas/skz393

Trotta, R. J., L. G. Sitorski, S. Acharya, D. W. Brake, and K. C. Swanson. 2020. Duodenal infusions of starch with casein or glutamic acid influence pancreatic and small intestinal carbohydrase activities in cattle. J. Nutr. 150:784-791. doi:10.1093/jn/nxz319

Trotta, R. J., and K. C. Swanson. 2020. Effects of dietary supplement sources on the rate and extent of in vitro ruminal degradation of alfalfa-based diets for cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 100:242-252. doi:10.1139/CJAS-2019-0105

Trotta, R. J., K. R. Maddock-Carlin, and K. C. Swanson. 2019. Effects of ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation on feeding behavior, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of finishing steers. Transl. Anim. Sci. 3:1143-1152. doi:10.1093/tas/txz114

Trotta, R. J., D. L. Harmon, and J. L. Klotz. 2018. Interaction of ergovaline with serotonin receptor 5-HT_2A in bovine ruminal and mesenteric vasculature. J. Anim. Sci. 96:4912-4922. doi:10.1093/jas/sky346

Trotta, R. J., J. L. Klotz, and D. L. Harmon. 2018. Effects of source and level of dietary energy supplementation on in vitro digestibility and methane production from tall fescue-based diets. Anim. Feed. Sci. Technol. 242:41-47. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2018.05.010

AFFILIATIONS, AWARDS, AND HONORS

Affiliations

2018 - Present American Society of Animal Science
 

Awards and Honors

2023 ASAS Wettemann Graduate Scholar in Physiology Award

2023 UK Animal and Food Science Graduate Poster Symposium – 2^nd Place

2022 ASAS National Young Scholar Award

2022 ASAS Wilson G. Pond International Travel Award

2022 UK Animal and Food Science Outstanding PhD Student Award

2022 UK Animal and Food Science Graduate Poster Symposium – 2^nd Place

2022 Plains Nutrition Conference Graduate Poster Competition – Runner-Up

2021 Certified Angus Beef Graduate Colvin Scholarship

2021 Plains Nutrition Conference Graduate Poster Competition – Runner-Up

2020 UK CAFE Richards Graduate Student Research Activity Award

2020 Plains Nutrition Conference Graduate Poster Competition – 2^nd Place

2019 North Dakota Soybean Council Graduate Scholarship

2019 North Dakota Livestock Endowment Foundation Graduate Scholarship

2018 Alltech Young Scientist North American Undergraduate Award