By Jamie Martin
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has named four graduate students as recipients of the 2025 National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Program. These scholarships support students conducting research that benefits dairy cooperatives and the broader agricultural community.
This year’s awardees include Dallas Soffa, a doctoral candidate at Texas A&M, whose research focuses on hormonal effects on reproductive microbiota and immune responses in cattle.
Margaret Costello from the University of Wisconsin-Madison is studying rumen microbiome development using advanced sequencing and non-invasive methods.
Marina Rocha Dorella, a master’s student at the University of Minnesota, is working to improve dairy sustainability through better hyperketonemia treatment and labour allocation via precision dairy technology.
A new honour was also introduced this year—the Dr. Peter Vitaliano Legacy Scholarship—recognizing commitment to education, mentorship, and community engagement in dairy.
The first recipient of this scholarship is Maria Belen Ugarte Marin, a doctoral candidate at the University of Florida. Her research examines poor milking characteristics and how they affect dairy farm performance. She also mentors fellow students and serves as a teaching assistant, embodying leadership in the dairy sector.
“Congratulations to each recipient of this year’s National Dairy Leadership Scholarships,” said NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud. “We are proud to continue to focus on the future of the industry by supporting these young professionals in their endeavors. Farmers can be confident in their investment in education and the next generation of dairy leaders.”
The awards were confirmed at the NMPF Board of Directors meeting held June 10–11 in Arlington, Virginia. More details and donation information are available at the NMPF scholarship website.
Photo Credit: national-milk-producers-federation
Categories: National