Amanda Dainton

Photograph
Biography

Amanda’s passion for animals began with showing horses and volunteering at the local animal shelter in Connecticut. She later attended Kansas State University and graduated in May 2016 with a B.S. in Feed Science and Management, emphasizing in pet food production, and a minor in Animal Science and Industry. While at Kansas State, she worked in Dr. Greg Aldrich’s pet food research lab and held two summer internships, one with Blue Buffalo Co. in research and development and the other with Hill’s Pet Nutrition in technical engineering. After she graduates with a M.S. in Nutritional Sciences, Amanda will continue using her expertise in pet food processing and nutrition to improve the industry’s knowledge base through collaborative research.

Hometown Mansfield Center, Connecticut
Degrees Ph.D. Kansas State University, Grain Science and Industry, 2021
M.S. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Nutritional Sciences, 2018
B.S. Kansas State University, Feed Science and Management, Emphasis in Pet Food Production, 2016
Thesis Title Avocado Meal: A Novel Dietary Fiber Source in Feline and Canine Diets
Current Position Graduate Research Assistant.
Description of Research My master’s research assesses the use of avocado meal, a by-product from the avocado oil processing industry, as a novel dietary fiber source in extruded diets for cats and dogs. Our evaluation criteria include nutrient digestibility, fermentation profile, and various processing and physical characteristics.
Career Goals Pet food industry or academia