Shavahn Loux | Photo Credit: University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture

Loux’s research focuses on mares’ microRNA (miRNA) population throughout normal gestation, as well as during experimentally induced placentitis episodes. She and colleagues will send RNA isolated from chorioallantois (at 6, 8, and 10 months of gestation) to the University of Illinois R. J. Carver Biotechnology Center, in Urbana, for next-generation sequencing to fully characterize the miRNA population at each interval and maximize the data generated from each sample. The team will use a quantitative PCR to verify significant changes.

“I am very honored by the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation’s decision to award me with the 2017 Storm Cat Career Development Award,” Loux said. “Receiving these funds will allow me to continue my cutting-edge research into the physiology of pregnancy and pregnancy-related disease in the horse, as well as provide opportunities for future funding. Ultimately, I believe this award reflects well not only on me, but also on the high-quality research consistently performed here at the Gluck Equine Research Center.”

Barry Ball, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT, Albert G Clay Endowed Chair in Equine Reproduction at the Gluck Center, is Loux’s advisor