Shya Navazesh, B.S. is a PhD candidate in the Nutritional Biology Graduate Group at the University of California, Davis, working under the mentorship of Dr. Peng Ji. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Shya’s interest in the veterinary sciences led her to UC Davis, where she majored in Animal Science with a specialization in Animal Behavior.

During her undergraduate studies, Shya gained her initial research experience as a technician in the Nutrition animal facility. This early exposure led her to intern in the Ji Lab. There, she contributed to a study exploring the impact of excess iron on hippocampal neurodevelopment in pre-weaning piglets—a project that sparked her interest in studying the intersections of iron and animal health.

As a graduate student, Shya continues her work in the Ji Lab, investigating the role of iron in the gut microbiome of pre-weaning and post-weaning piglets. Her current research is a part of the PIG-PARADIGM project and evaluates the complex relationship between trace minerals and antimicrobial resistance. This research aims to provide the fundamental science required to form solutions for enteric infections in the swine industry with broader implications for human health.