Carson Atwood CV
Stillwater, OK 74074 | (918) 680-1669 | carson.atwood@okstate.edu
Education
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Master of Science | Animal Science
Expected Graduation: December 2026
Focus: Broiler Chicken Welfare & Behavior
Advisor: Dr. Meaghan M. Meyer
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Bachelor of Science | Animal Science
December 2024
Experience
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
January 2025 - Present
Graduate Research Assistant
Graduate Research Assistant:
- Quantifying social status in growing broiler chickens using Aggressive Rank Index (ARI)
- Analyze video footage to quantify social interactions and dominance behaviors across ranks.
- Calculate ranks to classify individual birds by social status.
- Manage data entry, quality control, and statistical analysis using Excel, SAS, and R Studio.
- Train and supervise 5 undergraduate researchers to ensure inter-observer reliability in behavior observations.
- Evaluating social status effects on environmental enrichment use and welfare in growing broiler chickens
- Evaluate the impact of social status on environmental enrichment usage, welfare, performance, and stress physiology in growing broiler chickens.
- Oversee daily management and husbandry throughout the full broiler grow-out period.
- Collect and record performance outcomes weekly.
- Collect and record welfare outcomes weekly.
- Coordinate and perform post-mortem biological sample collection.
Graduate Teaching Assistant:
- Poultry Science
- Co-instruct weekly laboratory sessions focused on applied broiler welfare, production, and management.
- Supervise and coordinate the broiler grow-out project, ensuring proper husbandry, and welfare standards.
- Guide students in accurate data collection and management.
- Deliver guest lectures on core topics related to various poultry production topics.
- Applied Animal Nutrition
- Develop complete course materials, including lectures, assessments, and activities to enhance student comprehension and student engagement.
- Assist in evaluating student performance by grading assignments, quizzes, and exams.
- Create and administer course review sessions and maintain regular office hours to support student comprehension of course material.
- Introduction to the Animal Science Lab
- Independently instruct 2-3 laboratory sections each week covering foundational concepts in animal science.
- Guide students through comparative production systems across various livestock species.
- Implement interactive, hands-on activities to reinforce lecture material and enhance applied learning.
- Capstone for Animal Agriculture
- Grade and evaluate graduating seniors’ capstone research literature reviews and oral presentations.
- Coordinate and assist with daily classroom activities, including organizing guest lectures and teaching laboratory sessions.
Gawf Farms, Eufaula, OK
October 2021 – December 2024
Manager
- Oversee daily operations for a mixed-species livestock enterprise managing over 700 goats and cattle.
- Design and implement feed, breeding, and herd-health programs to improve productivity and animal well-being.
- Manage budgets, marketing, and record keeping ensuring operational efficiency and profitability.
- Supervise employees and seasonal staff, ensuring adherence to welfare and biosecurity standards.
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
August 2024 – December 2024
Applied Animal Nutrition Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
- Supported course coordination and communication between the professor and students.
- Graded coursework and provided constructive feedback to enhance learning outcomes.
Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Stillwater, OK
September 2022 – October 2023
Necropsy & Receiving Assistant
- Received and processed animal submissions for diagnostic testing, ensuring accurate chain-of-custody and sample labeling.
- Collaborated with pathologists and veterinarians to support necropsy and sample preparation.
- Organized case documentation and maintained biosecure laboratory environments.
Cattleman’s Congress, Oklahoma City, OK
December 2022 – January 2023
Livestock Intern
- Assisted with the coordination and facilitation of livestock and exhibitor move-in and setup.
- Maintained accurate records of class placings and managed award distribution logistics.
- Enforced biosecurity protocols to ensure safe and efficient animal movement throughout the facility.
Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Stillwater, OK
March 2022 – November 2022
Histology Lab Technician
- Prepared, processed, and embedded tissue samples for histopathological examination.
- Assisted in slide preparation and labeling for diagnostic review.
- Maintained laboratory organization and quality control procedures for sample integrity.
Teaching & Student Mentorship
Courses
| Course | Role | Year | Semester | No. Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANSI 4863: Capstone for Animal Agriculture | Teaching Assistant | 2026 | Spring | 115 |
| ANSI 1021: Introduction to the Animal Science Lab | Teaching Assistant | 2026 | Spring | 85 |
| ANSI 4023: Poultry Science | Co-Instructor | 2025 | Fall | 16 |
| ANSI 1021: Introduction to the Animal Science Lab | Teaching Assistant | 2025 | Fall | 80 |
| ANSI 3653: Applied Animal Nutrition | Teaching Assistant | 2025 | Fall | 143 |
| ANSI 3651: Applied Animal Nutrition Lab | Teaching Assistant | 2025 | Spring | 32 |
Guest Lectures
| Course | Semester | No. Lectures |
|---|---|---|
| ANSI 3623: Livestock Behavior and Environmental Interaction | Spring 2026 | 1 |
| ANSI 4023: Poultry Science | Fall 2025 | 2 |
| ANSI 3653: Applied Animal Nutrition | Spring 2025 | 1 |
| ANSI 3653: Applied Animal Nutrition Lab | Spring 2025 | 2 |
Student Mentorship (Teaching)
| Student | Role | Course | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maria Solis-Arana | Teaching Assistant Mentor | ANSI 1021: Introduction to the Animal Science Lab | Spring 2026 |
| Ashlyn Eschberger | Teaching Assistant Mentor | ANSI 1021: Introduction to the Animal Science Lab | Spring 2026 |
| Avery Beiergrohslein | Teaching Assistant Mentor | ANSI 4023: Poultry Science | Fall 2025 |
| Kelsey Wall | Teaching Assistant Mentor | ANSI 1021: Introduction to the Animal Science Lab | Fall 2025 |
| Kelsey Pinkerton | Teaching Assistant Mentor | ANSI 1021: Introduction to the Animal Science Lab | Fall 2025 |
| Donovan Thomas | Teaching Assistant Mentor | ANSI 1021: Introduction to the Animal Science Lab | Fall 2025 |
| Jacqueline Oen | Teaching Assistant Mentor | ANSI 1021: Introduction to the Animal Science Lab | Fall 2025 |
| Payton Pohlmeier | Teaching Assistant Mentor | ANSI 3653: Applied Animal Nutrition | Spring 2025 |
| Callie Roberts | Teaching Assistant Mentor | ANSI 3653: Applied Animal Nutrition | Spring 2025 |
Student Mentorship (Research)
| Student | Role | Research Topic | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyra Cole | Undergraduate Research Scholar | Broiler behavior and welfare assessment | Spring 2025 – Present |
| Hannah West | Undergraduate Research Mentor | Broiler behavior and welfare assessment | Fall 2025 – Present |
| Addison Harlow | Undergraduate Research Mentor | Broiler behavior and welfare assessment | Fall 2025 – Present |
| Kimberly Fonseca-Torres | Undergraduate Research Mentor | Broiler behavior and welfare assessment | Spring 2026 – Present |
| Mary Saunders | Undergraduate Research Mentor | Broiler behavior and welfare assessment | Spring 2026 – Present |
Abstracts
- Atwood, C. D., J. L. Salak-Johnson, and M. M. Meyer. 2026. Quantifying social rank in growing broiler chickens using Aggressive Rank Index. World’s Poultry Congress, Toronto, Canada.
- Cole, K. G., C. D. Atwood, J. L. Salak-Johnson, and M. M. Meyer. 2026. The effect of social status on tonic immobility in growing broiler chickens. Oklahoma State University Undergraduate Research Symposium, Stillwater, Oklahoma.
- Atwood, C. D., J. L. Salak-Johnson, and M. M. Meyer. 2026. Social rank influences resource use and finishing growth performance in broilers. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada.
Certifications & Technical Training
- Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) – Oklahoma State University - January 2025
- Working with Poultry in Agricultural Research Settings – Oklahoma State University - January 2025
- Working with Cattle in Agricultural Research Settings – Oklahoma State University - January 2025
- Undue Foreign Influence: Risks and Mitigations – Oklahoma State University - January 2025
- Small Ruminant Artificial Insemination – Bosque Valley Reproduction - June 2021
- Cattle Artificial Insemination & Palpation – Reproduction Enterprises Inc. - July 2020
Affiliations
- Oklahoma State Animal and Food Science Graduate Student Association, Member - 2025 – Present
- World Poultry Science Association, Member - 2025 – Present
- Poultry Science Association, Member - 2025 – Present
Engagement & Outreach
- Judge, Animal Science Division – Oklahoma FFA Northeast Area Speech Contest (2024 & 2025)