Nada K. Nadarajah,
Ph.D
Research Fellow IV
Department of Animal Sciences
214 Ann Upchurch Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849-5415
Tel: (334) 844-1502
Fax: (334)-844-1519
Since May 1998, I have been employed as a Research Associate in the Department of Animal And Dairy Sciences and then in 2001 as Research Fellow within the College of Agriculture at the Auburn University.
My undergraduate degree is in Agriculture (Animal Husbandry-Specialization) from University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. After graduation, I taught undergraduate level Courses in Animal Production, Animal Breeding and Genetics for two years in the Department of Animal Husbandry, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. My masters and doctoral degrees are from Virginia Polytech and State University in Animal Breeding and Genetics under the supervision of Drs. Tom Marlowe and David Notter.
My Prior employment as a Research Associate was at the Center for Genetic Improvement of Livestock (CGIL) affiliated with the Animal and Poultry Science department , part of the Ontario Agriculture College at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
My research interests lie in the area of Animal Breeding and Genetics as investigator and statistical analyst to improve growth, production and quality of farm animals. Major role of my collaborative research with colleagues has been implementing research protocols, electronic data gathering, data quality check, database management and statistical analyses of research data from a variety of research projects.
At CGIL, a few collaborative research projects (Principal Investigators: Drs. Ted Burnside and Jim Wilton) that I participated dealt with growth, reproduction and herd life in dairy and beef cattle. Studies/investigations that were undertaken include: Factors affecting gestation length in Holstein dairy cattle population in Ontario; incidence of calving difficulty (Dystocia), calf mortality in dairy cattle population and recommending solutions to minimize the problems; evaluation of fertility rate in Al bulls, conception rate and longevity in cows and developing tools to improve reproductive performance in dairy cattle population. Also, influence of direct growth and maternal genetic effects on growth and maturity of beef cattle.
In 1989, I initiated a meat goat research project with then CGIL Director (Dr. Burnside) funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF). In Consultation with other project scientists and industry stakeholders, I formulated an in-depth survey questionnaire and directed an on-farm survey to gather baseline data on goat farms in Ontario. We established a centralized performance recording system for meat goats (GHIP) and initiated a genetic evaluation program to improve meat goat production in Ontario. Developed statistical models and software programs for genetic evaluation of goats to rank top genetics for selection and computed genetic parameters to be used in such evaluation.
During 1993-97, I was involved in Swine breeding research (Principal Investigator: Dr. John Gibson) in collaboration with the Ontario Swine Inc.(OSI) where we evaluated breed, sex and PSS (Porcine Stress Syndrome) gene effects on growth, carcass composition and pork quality. Developed prediction equations to estimate carcass lean yield from real-time B-mode and A-mode Ultrasonic measurements recorded on live animals. Examined the association of physical and chemical composition meat with taste panel sensory data to determine the eating quality of pork. Investigated the influence of (16-androstene) steroids and skatole levels in entire male pigs as a possible cause for problem of "Boar Taint" in pork production. Also, he evaluated crossbreeding benefits on growth rate, carcass composition and meat quality of market lambs at two slaughter weights.
Currently at Auburn, my research is in the area of Swine, Beef cattle and Meat goats breeding and Genetics. Specifically, the research projects deal with selection for growth, efficiency and overall perforamnce of genotypes in above species.
Recent Publications
K. Nadarajah, S. Schoenian and D. L. Kuhlers 2015.Gastro-intestinal Parasites Infestation and its Associated Effects on Growth Perofrmance of Bucks on a Pasture-based Test in Maryland. Sheep & Goat Research Journal, Vol 30: July pp 24-29.
K. Nadarajah, 2015. Status of sheep and goats in developed countries and their contributions to livelihood security of farmers in developing countries. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Sustainable Managment of Animal Genetic Resources for Livelihood Security in Developing Countries and the XIIth Annual Convention of Society for Conservation of Domestic Animal Biodiversity (SOCBAD), NBAGR, Karnal, India and Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Chennai, India, Feb 13-14, 2015. pp 203-215.
Kanagasabai Nadarajah, Daryl L. Kuhlers, Gerald L. Thompson, Chet Norris, Hugh D. Harkins 2015. Growth performance of calves from two lines of Angus cows separated by frame size in Alabama. Southern Section ASAS meetings, Atlanta, GA., Jan 31- Feb 3 2015, J. Anim. Sci. 93(E-Suppl. 1):1.
K. Nadarajah, Susan Schoenian and Daryl Kuhlers 2013.Gastro-intestinal Parasites Infestation in Bucks and Their Association on Performance of Bucks Tested in Western Maryland. Proceedings of the National Goat Conference, Greensboro, NC.
D. L. Kuhlers, K. Nadarajah and S. P. Schmidt. Cow Size: How Big of a Cow is Right for Your Herd? Alabama Cattleman, Vol 55: No 11 November 2013 pp 38-39.
K. Nadarajah, S. Schoenian, M. Penick and D. L. Kuhlers 2013. Gastro-intestinal parasitic infestation in bucks on performance test and its relationships with production traits. Southern Section ASAS meetings, Orlando, FL, Feb 2-5, 2013, J. Anim. Sci. 91(E-Suppl. 1):26.
D. L. Kuhlers, K. Nadarajah, G. L. Thompson, B. E. Norris, H. D. Harkins 2013. Influence of body-weight of cows on weaning weight of calves in two lines of Angus cattle in Alabama. Southern Section ASAS meetings, Orlando, FL., Feb 2-5 2013, J. Anim. Sci. 90(E-Suppl. 1):7.
D. L. Kuhlers, K. Nadarajah, G. L. Thompson, B. E. Norris, H. D. Harkins and L. Kriese-Anderson 2012. Selection for small frame size of Angus cattle in Alabama: 1. Growth rate, weight gain, hip height of calves and cow efficiency. J. Anim. Sci. 90(E-Suppl. 1):9
K. Nadarajah, D. L. Kuhlers, G. L. Thompson, B. E. Norris, H. D. Harkins and L. Kriese-Anderson 2012.Selection for small frame size of Angus cattle in Alabama: 2. Phenotypic correlations and growth pattern of replacement heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 90(E-Suppl. 1):10
K. Nadarajah, S. Schoenian, D. L. Kuhlers1, M. D. Carpenter and D. Rankins. 2011. Gastro-intestinal parasitic infestation in meat goats and its relationships with production traits under a pasture-based performance test in Western Maryland. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 1):399.
K. Nadarajah, M. Penick, D. L. Kuhlers, M. D. Carpenterand D. Rankins. 2011. Gastro-intestinal parasitic infestation and its relationships with growth performance in meat goats on pasture with supplemental grain feeding test at the Kerr Center in Oklahoma. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 1):399.
K. Nadarajah, 2010. Genetic Improvement of Goats for Meat Production: Current Status and Looking Forward to prepare for the Future. Proceedings of the National Goat Conference, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, September 12-15, 2010. pp 32-42.
D. L. Kuhlers, K. Nadarajah, C. L. Bratcher, C. R. Kerth, and W. F. Owsley. 2010. Growth efficiency and carcass compositions of pigs raised on pasture in the summer season. Journal of Animal Science., Southern Section 6:17(abst).
C. L. Bratcher, D. L. Kuhlers, K. Nadarajah, C. R. Kerth, and W. F. Owsley. 2010. Effects of two systems for pasture grazing pigs on meat quality and sensory evaluation. Journal of Animal Science., Southern Section 15:48(abst).
K. Nadarajah, 2009. A coordinated on-farm and research center performance recording system for genetic improvement of meat goats. In: Proceedings of the National Symposium and the Xth Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Madras Vet. College, Chennai, India, November 24-26, 2009. pp 37-43.
K. Nadarajah,, R. D. Spencer, D.M. Gimenez, D. L. Kuhlers and D. L. Rankins 2009. A case-study: Meta-analyses of performance data on meat goat kids gathered by producers in Alabama using an on-farm electronic record keeping software tool. Journal of Animal Science., Southern Section 4:11( abst).
R. B. Kamalakar, L. I. Chiba, K. C. Divakala, S. P. Rodning, E. G. Welles, W. G. Bergen, C. R. Kerth, D. L. Kuhlers and N. K. Nadarajah 2009. Effect of the degree and duration of early dietary amino acid restrictions on subsequent and overall pig performance and physical and sensory characteristics of pork. J Anim Sci. 87:3596-3606.
Kamalakar, R. B., L. I. Chiba, K. C. Divakala, S. P. Rodning, E. G. Welles, W. G. Bergen, C. R. Kerth, D. L. Kuhlers, and N. Nadarajah. 2009. Effect of the degree and duration of early dietary amino acid restrictions on subsequent and overall pig performance and physical and sensory characteristics of pork. J. Anim. Sci. 87(E-Suppl. 2):256.
D.L. Kuhlers, K. Nadarajah, G.L. Thompson, B.E. Norris, H.D. Harkins and L. Kriese-Anderson 2009. Calf growth as a characteristic of cow from two lines of Angus cows separated by frame size. Journal of Animal Science., Southern Section 3:8( abst).
Nadarajah, N. K., Spencer, R. D., Gimenez, D. M., Kuhlers, D. L ., Rankins, D. L. 2008. Introduction of an electronic record keeping system for meat goat producers: the Alabama experience. Procedings of the 9th International Conference on Goats. Queretaro, Mexico, XXIII pp 140.
M. K. Cline, J. C. Lin, K. Nadarajah, M. Volk, R.B. Muntifering, S. Bassin and J. Fuhrer 2008. Ozone and nitrogen deposition effects on nutritive quality of a species-rich subalpine grassland. Journal of Animal Science. 86:225 (suppl E-2, abst).
Nadarajah, K. D.L. Kuhlers, and W.F. Owsley 2007. Evaluation of pigs raised on two types of pasture-based and a confined grow-finish systems for production efficiency. Journal of Animal Science. 85: 578 (suppl 1, abst).
Lin, J.C., K. Nadarajah, M. Volk, R.B. Muntifering and J. Fuhrer 2007. Nutritive quality of a species-rich, extensively managed pasture exposed to elevated ozone in a free-air fumigation system. Journal of Animal Science. 85:37 (suppl 1, abst).
Mule, H.R., L. I. Chiba, J. Farbian, D.L Kuhlers, S.B. Jungst, L. T. Frobish, K. Nadarajah, W.G. Bergen and E.G. Welles 2006. Effect of early dietary amino acid restrictions on serum metabolites in pigs selected for lean growth efficiency. Can. Journal of Animal Science 86: 489-500.
Nadarajah, K., Daryl L. Kuhlers and Lisa Kriese-Anderson. 2005. Application of Linear Mixed Models for Genetic Improvement of Quantitative Traits in Livestock Populations. Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual International Conference on Statistics, Combinatorics, Mathematics and Applications. (FIMXII-SCMA2005), pp. 53-54.
Fábián János, Lee I. Chiba, Daryl L. kuhlers, Lowell T. Frobish, and Nada K. Nadarajah. 2004. Szelekció a hatékony színhústermelésre és a takarmány aminosav-tartalmának hatása a sertések termelésére (Effect of selection for lean growth efficiency and dietary amino acid content on pig performance). Állattenyésztés és Takarmányozás (Hungarian Journal of Animal Production) 53:223-237.
Fabian, J., L. I. Chiba, L. T. Frobish, W. H. McElhenny, D. L. Kuhlers, and K. Nadarajah. 2004. Compensatory growth and nitrogen balance in grower-finisher pigs. Journal of Animal Science . 82:2579-2587.
Scheuermann, G. N., K. Nadarajah, D. L. Kuhlers, S. P. Lino and D. R. Mulvaney. 2003. Expression of myostatin and myogenin in Landrace barrows selected for increased loin eye compared to a control line. J. Anim. Sci. 81(Suppl. 1):96 (Abst.).
Kuhlers, D. L., K. Nadarajah, S. B. Jungst , B. L. Anderson and B. E. Gamble. 2003. Genetic selection for lean feed conversion in a closed line of Duroc pigs. Livestock Prod. Sci. 84: 75-82.
Farber,C.R., N.E. Raney, D.L. Kuhlers, K. Nadarajah, and C.W Ernst. 2003. Mapping of porcine genetic markers generated by representational difference analysis. Animal Biotechnoloty 14:(1) 87-102
Fabian, J., L. I. Chiba, D. L. Kuhlers, L. T. Frobish, K. Nadarajah and W. H. McElhenney 2003. Growth performance, dry matter and nutrient digestibilities, serum profile, and carcass and meat quality of pigs with distinct genotypes. J. Anim. Sci. 81:1142-1149.
Kuhlers, D. L., K. Nadarajah, S. B. Jungst and B. L. Anderson. 2002. Correlated responses in carcass and meat quality traits in a line of Landrace pigs selected for increased ultrasound loin eye area. J. Anim. Sci. 80(Suppl. 1):148 (Abst.).
Fabian, J., L. I. Chiba, L. T. Frobish, W. H. McElhenney, D. L. Kuhlers and K. Nadarajah 2002. Compensatory growth and nitrogen balance in grower-finisher pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 80(Suppl. 1):220 (Abst.).
Fabian, J., L. I. Chiba, L. T. Frobish, W. H. McElhenney, D. L. Kuhlers and K. Nadarajah 2002. Compensatory growth and nitrogen balance in grower-finisher pigs. (paper submitted to Liverstock Prod. Sci).
Fabian, J., L. I. Chiba, D. L. Kuhlers, L. T. Frobish, K. Nadarajah, C. R. Kerth, W. H. McElhenney, and A. J. Lewis 2002. Degree of amino acid restrictions during the grower phase and compensatory growth in pigs selected for lean growth efficiency. J. Anim Sci. 80: 2610-2618.
Nadarajah, K., D. L. Kuhlers, S. B. Jungst and B. L. Anderson. 2001. Effects of inbreeding of sow on reproduction and litter performance in a closed population of Landrace pigs. J. Anim. Sci.79(Suppl. 1):69.
Fabian, J., L. I. Chiba, D. L. Kuhlers, L. T. Frobish, C. R. Kerth, K. Nadarajah, W. H. McElhenney and B. L. Anderson. 2001. Effect of genotype and dietary lysine content during the grower phase on growth performance, serum urea N, and carcass and meat quality. J. Anim. Sci. 79(Suppl. 1):67.
Kuhlers, D. L., K. Nadarajah, S. B. Jungst , B. L. Anderson. 2001. Genetic selection for real-time ultrasound loin eye area in a closed line of Landrace pigs. Livestock Prod. Sci. 72:225-231.
Kerth, C. R., W. R. Jones, K. Nadarajah, D. L. Kuhlers, and L. B. Cagle. 2001. Carcass and meat quality traits of pigs from the sixth generation of a genetic line selected for leanness and growth efficiency. J. Anim. Sci. Abstract (Southern Section, 2001 meeting).
Kuhlers, D.L., K. Nadarajah and B.L Anderson. 2000. Predicting feed efficiency from associated traits in Duroc pigs selected for lean growth efficiency. J. Anim. Sci. 78(Suppl. 1):69.
Fabian, J., L.I. Ciba, D. L. Kuhlers, L. T. Frobish, K. Nadarajah, W. H. McElhenney, J. Lin and, B.L Anderson. 2000. Effect of selection for lean growth efficiency on growth performance, blood profile, and meat quality. J. Anim. Sci. 78(Suppl. 1):177.
Kuhlers, D. L, K. Nadarajah, S.B. Jungst , B.L. Anderson, and B.E. Gamble. 1999. Selection for lean Growth: Effects on Pig Performance. Proc. Auburn University Agricultural Conference, pp121-129, Auburn, AL, Jan 14-15, 1999.
Nadarajah, K., D.L. Kuhlers, S.B. Jungst, M.R. Duffle and J.A. Little. 1999. Comparison of performance of pigs from three breed terminal and rotational crossbreeding systems: Growth and survival rates. J. Anim. Sci.77(Suppl. 1):137.
Kuhlers, D.L., K. Nadarajah, S.B. Jungst, B.L Anderson and B.E. Gamble. 1999. Evaluation of carcass traits of Duroc pigs from a line selected on an index of ultrasound backfat thickness and predicted feed conversion. J. Anim. Sci. 77(Suppl. 1):137.
Nadarajah, K., D.L. Kuhlers and L.K. Anderson. 1999. Beef Cattle Breeding: Is it an art? Is it a science? Or is it both?. ADSA, Newsletter Vol. (6)- 4. AU.
Kuhlers D.L., K. Nadarajah and S.B. Jungst 1998. Alabama 1997-98 Annual Report to NC-220. Proc. 1998 Tech. Committee, NC-220, AU. June 18-19, 1998, pp16-24.
Kuhlers, D., K. Nadarajah, S. Jungst, E. Lonergan, S. Lonergan and B.L. Anderson. 1998. "Sonic Swine" Ultrasonic equipment helping produce leaner pork. Highlights of Agric Res: Vol. 45, (4) pp 3-6, Alabama Agric. Exp. Station, AU. Winter 1998.