Siard is studying inflamm-aging in senior horses, polyphenols as anti-inflammatory treatments, and more. | Photo: University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture

Melissa Siard participated in summer research at the University of Kentucky (UK) Gluck Equine Research Center as part of her undergraduate program requirements. That experience motivated Siard to pursue her PhD at the Gluck Center under Amanda Adams, PhD, and assistant research professor at the Gluck Center. Siard’s doctoral program is in veterinary science with an emphasis in equine immunology.

“I appreciate immunology specifically because it is such a broad, multi-faceted field that is key to the health and well-being of our animals and ourselves,” Siard said.

Her doctoral research focuses on characterizing the contribution of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to inflamm-aging of senior horses. PBMC (which consist of T cells, B cells, and monocytes) are critical to the immune system in fighting infection. Inflamm-aging is the chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation that occurs in aging horses. The research examines factors related to this occurrence including determining mechanisms of action, relationships with other health parameters, season/weather, and the impact of anti-inflammatory compounds