The Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station (WAES) recently commended faculty, staff, and students at an annual awards banquet in Laramie last month.

WAES is the research arm of the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources. This year, WAES honored staff members of research and extension centers, campus-based faculty, and students.

Equine manager recognized for hard work, outreach

For his industriousness, compassion, and equine expertise, Elias Hutchinson was awarded the Kathleen Bertoncelj WAES Staff Award. This award is given to an exceptional WAES staff member in honor of a former WAES administrative assistant.

Hutchinson is the assistant farm manager for the Laramie Research and Extension Center (LREC). He maintains the Hansen Arena facilities at LREC and coordinates events, including rodeos, horse clinics, and livestock judging. He is also in charge of UW’s team of Haflinger horses, Pistol and Pete.

“Elias exhibits great character and professionalism to not only his co-workers, but everyone he interacts with. He is always willing to step up and help other units at LREC,” says Derek Scasta, director of LREC.

UW scientist facilitates livestock research

Timm Gergeni received the WAES Research Support Award for facilitating research at LREC and other agricultural experiment stations and ranches across Wyoming and Colorado.

Gergeni is a research associate in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. He monitors livestock, collects data, and coordinates infrastructure improvements that enable new livestock grazing research. Nominators note that he collaborates exceptionally well with others, including ranchers, outside contractors, and researchers from other universities.

“I am of the humble opinion that Dr. Timm Gergeni’s efforts… are unique, impactful, and supportive of all three missions of the land grant university (research, extension, and teaching) with significant impacts to stakeholders in Wyoming and [the] surrounding region,” says Scasta.

Shearrer earns Early Career Research Award

Grace Shearrer, assistant professor of nutrition, was awarded the Early Career Research Award, given to a scientist with less than six years of experience directing independent research.

Shearrer’s work has focused on applied research into nutrition and mental health, particularly for underserved populations. Currently, Shearrer is working to develop a mobile app to help adolescent girls consume more fruits and vegetables.

“[Shearrer] is an inclusive team member who lifts up those around her,” says Jill Keith, head of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. “I have no doubt Dr. Shearrer will continue to foster positive research networks as her career progresses.”

In addition to her research achievements, Shearrer’s work has been recognized by national and international nonprofit associations.

Senior faculty member lauded for inventive research, mentorship

Bledar Bisha, chair of the Department of Animal Science and associate professor of food microbiology, received the WAES Outstanding Research Award. This award is given to an established scientist in the UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources.

Bisha studies pathogen identification and spread, often using new technologies to tackle complex, large-scale projects. In 2020, he helped the Wyoming Public Health Laboratory track the spread of the coronavirus through wastewater.

“One of Bledar’s most notable contributions is his versatility and responsiveness to emerging research questions, even in the face of logistical challenges,” says Whit Stewart, associate professor of animal science.

Bisha is also an exemplary advisor and mentor.

WAES acknowledges outstanding student researchers

Two graduate students were recognized for impactful research featured in the 2025 edition of Reflections magazine, WAES’ annual research report.

Master’s student Anne Beeman and doctoral student Baizar Alamiri are this year’s winners of the Lynn Feltner student researcher award. This award was created by former faculty member Cub Feltner to honor his late wife.

Beeman is a botany student. Her research investigated the most effective ways to restore the sagebrush steppe ecosystem in Grand Teton National Park.

Alamiri, a zoology and physiology student, examined the neural pathways behind body temperature regulation and their potential connections to social behavior.

“The articles I look forward to the most in our yearly publication, Reflections, are those reporting on graduate student research,” says Eric Webster, WAES director. “Each of these students worked on projects that may have a huge impact on our state, the region, and globally.”

To view previous issues of Reflections, visit bit.ly/waes-reflections-magazine. The 2025 issue will be available in July.