Dr. Cheryl J. Kojima
Assistant Professor

Education

Cornell University, Animal Science B.S. 1988
University of Missouri, Animal Science Ph.D. 1997
USDA Agricultural Research Service, Animal Physiology 1997-2000

Professional Interest: Animal Genetics and Genomics

Dr. Kojima’s research is focused on elucidating pathways of gene expression adversely affected by stress of weaning and obesity in the pig. The process of weaning can be detrimental to growth, immune function, and overall well-being of the young pig. Through understanding what happens during weaning at the molecular level to influence appetite and immune function, her laboratory aims to develop new strategies to minimize the negative effects of weaning thereby increasing overall well-being and production efficiency in swine. Obesity-related research is also being conducted using the Sinclair minipig, which is an excellent model for studying human physiological responses to obesity including cardiovascular disease, insulin insensitivity, and inflammation. Currently Dr. Kojima is using the minipig model to discern the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids on adipocyte-mediated inflammation, with particular interest in how various adipose depots differ in their response to Omega-3 supplementation.

Selected Publications: 

• Adcock RJ, Kattesh HG, Roberts MP, Carroll JA, Saxton AM, and Kojima CJ. 2007. Temporal relationships between plasma cortisol, corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), and the free cortisol index (FCI) in pigs in response to adrenal stimulation or suppression. Stress 10:305-10.
• Kojima CJ, Carroll JA, Matteri RL, Touchette KJ, and Allee GL. 2007. Effects of weaning and piglet size on neuroendocrine regulators of feed intake. J Anim Sci. 85:2133-9.
• Daniel JA, Carroll JA, Keisler DH, and Kojima CJ. 2008. Evaluation of immune system function in neonatal pigs born vaginally or by Cesarean section. Domest Anim Endocrinol. 35:81-7.
• Kojima CJ, Kattesh HG, Roberts MP, and Sun T. 2008. Physiological and immunological responses to weaning and transport in the young pig: modulation by administration of porcine ST. J Anim Sci. 86:2913-9.
• Cooper TA, Roberts MP, Kattesh HG, and Kojima CJ. 2009. Effects of transport stress, sex, and weaning weight on postweaning performance in pigs. Prof. Anim. Sci. 25:189-194.