Meghan Reimann
Undergraduate Research Assistant & Lab PR Manager
Meghan is from Buffalo, New York, and is currently a sophomore studying Animal & Veterinary Biosciences with certificates in Ceramics, Life Sciences Communication, and Leadership (Morgridge Center for Public Service). In the lab, she examines mammary gland ultrasounds focusing specifically on the fat pad and parenchyma, data entry, and assists at the farm with biopsies. Additionally, she manages the lab Instagram, website, any photography needs, and other relations for the lab. Meghan has always held a strong passion for animals, and she is throughly enjoying her work with dairy cattle within the lab. Long-term, she would like to continue working in research with hopes of having her own lab.
Kelsey Hardy
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Kelsey is from Dodgeville, Wisconsin, and is currently a sophomore studying Dairy Science with a certificate in Life Sciences Communication. In the lab, she evaluates skin and hair biopsies as well as assists at the farm. Kelsey has always been very passionate about the dairy industry as she grew up showing dairy cattle.
Maya Wiltzius
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Maya is currently a sophomore studying Animal and Veterinary Bioscience and Life Science Communication with a certificate in Business Management for Agricultural and Life Sciences. She joined the lab in the Spring of 2025 and has assisted Grace Larsen with data collection on her large dairy calf study. Maya grew up with horses and is excited for the opportunity to learn more about dairy and research.
Ella Gonzales
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ella is a senior at UW-Madison, earning a bachelor’s degree in animal and veterinary biosciences and a certificate in history. She worked in the Laporta Lab during both semesters of the 2022-2023 academic year, and is currently back in the spring of 2025! Her research primarily focuses on understanding the impact of late-gestation heat stress on the skin morphology of Holstein cows through multiple generations, and she has assisted multiple graduate students with sample collection and analyses.
Melissa Figueroa
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Melissa is from Chicago, Illinois, and is currently a junior majoring in Animal & Veterinary Biosciences with a certificate in Chicane/Latine Studies. She joined the Lab in Spring of 2025 and has assisted with data entry and helping at the farm. Melissa is trilingual speaking English, Spanish, and Russian, and hopes to work with endangered species in the future.
Teddy Seward
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Teddy is from Baltimore, Maryland, and is currently a freshman majoring in Animal & Veterinary Biosciences. He joined the Laporta lab in the Spring of 2025. He performs tasks such as organizing data, doing inventories, and assisting with biopsy and farm needs. Teddy loves all types of animals and enjoys learning new things about the cattle that the lab focuses on. While he plans on pursuing a career in small animal veterinary medicine right now, he is open-minded about the large animal industry.
Eli Cowan
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Eli joined the Laporta Lab in the fall of 2024. He has assisted with sample collection and analyses for a large dairy calf project led by graduate student Grate Larsen. He is conducting his Honor’s Thesis on the impact of different percentages of crude protein levels on calf pre-weaning growth.
Former Undergraduate Students @ UW-Madison
Undergraduate students participate as research volunteers, enroll in 299/699 independent projects for credits, or engage in Biology 152 projects assisting graduate students in the field or laboratory.
Other students: Wendy Cruz-Ramirez, Amanda Jentsch, Morgan Hmielewski, Paige Nicole Lawrence, & Emma Butcher
Alexandra (Lexi) Garelick
In the lab: Spring & Fall 2024
Latest Update: Currently studying abroad in Australia as a junior with a major in Animal & Veterinary Biosciences
Gracie Mast
In the lab: 2022-2024 | Bio152 student
Latest Update: Currently a senior studying Animal & Veterinary Biosciences with intentions to continue her studies at veterinary school next fall
Sophia Taffet
In the lab: 2021 & 2022 | Bio152 student | ADS Scholarship Awardee
Latest Update: Currently a junior studying Biology and Global Health
Adam Hoerl
In the lab: 2021 & 2022 | Bio152 student | Farrington Undergraduate Research Fellowship Awardee
Latest Update: Currently attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine