Boakari’s research focuses on the influence of high levels of dietary crude protein on a mare’s reproduction. | Photo: University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture

Name: Yatta Linhares Boakari
From: Teresina, Brazil
Degree and institutions where received: University of the Incarnate Word, BS in psychology; Federal University of Piaui, DVM; State University of Sao Paulo, MS in equine reproduction.

Yatta Boakari, DVM, MS, completed a three-month research internship at the University of Kentucky (UK) while completing her master’s in Brazil. This led her to return to UK for her doctoral degree under the direction of Barry Ball, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT, Albert G. Clay Endowed Chair in Equine Reproduction at UK’s Gluck Equine Research Center, and Alex Esteller-Vico, PhD, DVM, assistant research professor at the Gluck Center.

“In this short period of time I learned so much and saw the type and quality of research they were doing and knew I wanted to complete my PhD at UK,” Boakari said