Lauren Dean is currently a FSQR Harvest Supervisor at Cargill while working to complete her master’s degree in Animal Science at Colorado State University. While at CSU, her discipline was in Livestock Behavior and Welfare under Dr. Lily Edwards-Callaway. Originally from Fresno, Lauren’s interest for the livestock industry began at an early age, growing up with horses, participating in 4-H and being exposed to cattle in family farms’. Lauren graduated with a bachelor’s degree from CSU in 2020, which widened her understanding of the livestock industry and fostered her appreciation for the welfare of food animals and the slaughter process. After completing undergrad, she went on to work for USDA-FSIS as a Food Inspector at a beef packing plant; this position greatly increased her knowledge and passion for the food supply chain. While she appreciated the experience, Lauren decided to continue her education and began her master’s degree in 2022.

Lauren’s research focused on the comfort of fed beef cattle during lairage at a slaughter facility. Specifically, how shade and rubber mat flooring impacts cattle behavior, mobility changes over lairage and dark cutters. Her other research at CSU included a survey to understand stakeholder perspectives and use of heat mitigation in feedlots.

Lauren plans to continue her growth within Cargill to provide safe and wholesome protein to customers and continuously work to improve the welfare of food animals.