Kristen Govoni

CAHNR Associate Dean of Academic Programs & Director of the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture, Professor

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About

After receiving her PhD in 2003, Dr. Govoni pursued postdoctoral research experience in the Musculoskeletal Disease Center at the Jerry L. Pettis VA Medical Center in Loma Linda, CA. In 2008, Dr. Govoni returned to her home state of CT and is currently a Professor in the Department of Animal Science.

Education

• PhD in Animal Science, University of Connecticut, 2003
• MS in Animal Science, University of Connecticut, 2002
• BS in Animal Science, University of Connecticut, 1998

Academics

Courses Taught

• ANSC 4697W. Undergraduate Honors Thesis Writing in Animal Science

In the News

• CAHNR’s Kristen Govoni Recognized for Excellence in Food and Agricultural Education by APLU, USDA – UConn Today, December 2023
• USDA Grant to Provide Career Opportunities, Sponsor CAHNR Students at UConn Waterbury and UConn Stamford – UConn Today, June 2023
• Kristen Govoni Appointed Associate Dean of CAHNR Academic Programs, Director of Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture – UConn Today, May 2022
• Investigating the Links Between Maternal Nutrition and Offspring Health – UConn Today, October 2021

Research Interests

• Understanding growth and development at the cellular level to identify methods to improve animal health and efficiency of production
  • Determining the effects of poor maternal nutrition on pre- and post-natal development using a sheep model
  • Using a model of control, restricted, or over-feeding during gestation to identify the impacts on offspring growth (muscle, bone, and adipose tissue), metabolic dysregulation (liver, muscle, and blood)
  • Using omics approaches to identify the mechanisms of action through changes in mRNA expression, protein expression, metabolites, and epigenetic regulation based on the knowledge that poor maternal nutrition impairs offspring, growth, increases adipose deposition, and alters local and systemic metabolism.

Hobbies/Non-Academic Interests

• Horseback riding
• Camping
• Hiking
• Running