The Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station (WAES) commended faculty, staff, and students at an annual awards banquet in Laramie Thursday, April 9. WAES is the research arm of the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources.
Two farm managers receive Outstanding Staff Awards
Mike Albrecht, the farm manager of the Sheridan Research and Extension Center (ShREC), is one of two recipients of the 2026 Kathleen Bertoncelj WAES Outstanding Staff Award. This award is given to an exceptional WAES staff member in honor of a former WAES administrative assistant.
Albrecht consistently identifies needs on the farm and then finds effective ways to meet those needs, nominators report. He also serves as a mentor for new employees.
Albrecht has deep ties with the local agricultural community. “Mike’s efforts, awareness and dedication to ShREC and our team are a significant part of what allows us to be successful in our efforts to serve Wyoming and its producers,” says Tyler Jones, interim assistant director of ShREC.
Kalli Koepke is the sheep unit manager for the Laramie Research and Extension Center. In recognition of her leadership, work ethic, and institutional knowledge, she received the 2026 Kathleen Bertoncelj WAES Outstanding Staff Award.
Koepke has a talent for building relationships with others, including sheep producers; UW Department of Animal Science faculty; and students of all ages, from 4-H’ers to doctoral candidates.
As the sheep unit manager, Koepke facilitates research, teaching, and outreach projects in addition to caring for LREC’s sheep flock. She consistently lends a hand with tasks outside of her job responsibilities. “Kalli always emphasizes and advocates for things that will benefit not only the sheep unit but LREC as a whole,” says Ben Hollinger, manager of the LREC beef unit.
Harris earns Early Career Research Award
Donna Harris, assistant professor of plant breeding and genetics, was awarded the Early Career Research Award, given to a scientist with less than six years of experience directing independent research.
Harris, who joined UW in 2020, is based at the Sheridan Research and Extension Center. As a plant breeder, Harris has focused on crop qualities that are critical for local Wyoming producers, such as drought tolerance. She also conducts nationally and internationally relevant research.
“Her research is substantially broader in scope and more diverse than that of her peers at most other land-grant institutions,” says Andrew Kniss, head of the plant sciences department.
In addition to her broad research interests, Harris teaches courses, mentors students, and serves as an active member of various professional research organizations.
Merkle lauded for relevant, practical research
Jerod Merkle, associate professor of zoology and physiology, received the WAES Outstanding Research Award, given to an established scientist in the UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources.
Merkle’s research focuses on wildlife biology, particularly ungulate migration and diseases. “His work has transformed how scientists and managers understand the ecological function of large migratory wildlife, particularly big game species that are central to Wyoming’s landscapes, economy, and cultural identity,” says Amy Navratil, head of the Department of Zoology and Physiology.
Merkle is a prolific researcher, consistently leading unique studies with broad public relevance. His research helps land managers and policymakers strategically balance wildlife conservation with agricultural use and energy development.
Merkle helps students develop practical skills and gain an understanding of the “big picture.”
UW scientist facilitates technical research
Zhaojie Zhang is a senior research scientist in the Department of Zoology and Physiology and director of the Integrated Microscopy Core (IMC) facility. He received the WAES Outstanding Research Support Award for fostering high-impact, competitive research at UW.
The IMC facilitates interdisciplinary research focused on disease mechanisms and sensory biology. As the director of the IMC, Zhang helps teach students and staff advanced technical skills. “His mentorship expands access to sophisticated research tools and helps cultivate the next generation of scientists serving Wyoming and the broader region,” says Navratil.
Zhang is reliable, personable, and takes a genuine interest in student research, often remaining involved even after his part in a project has concluded. He also conducts his own independent research.
WAES recognizes outstanding student researchers
Two graduate students were recognized for impactful research featured in the 2026 edition of Reflections magazine, the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station’s annual research report.
Master’s student Marguerite Trost and doctoral student Kiet Tran 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.
Trost is a botany student. She has conducted one of the first comprehensive surveys of plant life in the Kootenai National Forest, located in northwest Montana.
Tran, a molecular biology student, is investigating a way to fight cancer using modified listeria bacteria.
“Our Reflections graduate student awardees exhibited not only a keen ability to pursue meaningful, insightful research questions, but to relay the story of that research in a clear, compelling way,” says Brian Mealor, interim WAES director. “It is a great pleasure to recognize their efforts.”
