Skip to main content


Skip to main content
Give      University of Florida

Animal Sciences Department

Animal Sciences Department

Dr. Samantha A. Brooks

Associate Professor, Equine Physiology

A lifelong horse woman, Dr. Samantha Brooks was diverted from vet school by a budding passion for equine research. Following a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Biotechnology, Dr. Brooks remained at the University of Kentucky to study at the Gluck Equine Research Center. While there she earned her Ph.D. in Veterinary Science, specializing in Equine Genetics under the mentorship of Dr. Ernest Bailey. Following her Ph.D. she was awarded the Paul Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship to study the expression of inflammatory genes in horses affected with laminitis. As an assistant professor at Cornell University she was responsible for the Equine Biology and Management course for six years. Now at the University of Florida, her research program explores a variety of topics relevant to horse health ranging from gene expression studies to mapping of genetic disorders in the horse. Previously her research group discovered genetic mutations and markers for coat colors, height, sarcoid tumors and two neurological conditions. Ongoing work targets variation in gait, susceptibility to infectious disease, metabolic syndrome and skeletal defects using genome wide association, genome re-sequencing and transcriptomics.

Academic Positions Since Final Degree:

  • 2018-Present; Associate Professor, Equine Physiology, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville.
  • 2014-2018; Assistant Professor, Equine Physiology, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville.
  • 2009-2013; Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  • 2006-2008; Teaching Assistant, University Honors Program, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
  • 2006-2008; Paul Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship, Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Programs

  • Research

    Research Summary

    A lifelong horse woman, Dr. Samantha Brooks was diverted from vet school by a budding passion for equine research. Following a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Biotechnology, Dr. Brooks remained at the University of Kentucky to study at the Gluck Equine Research Center. While there she earned her PhD in Veterinary Science, specializing in Equine Genetics under the mentorship of Dr. Ernest Bailey. Following her PhD she was awarded the Paul Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship to study the expression of inflammatory genes in horses affected with laminitis. At Cornell University she was responsible for the Equine Biology and Management course for six years. Her research program explores a variety of topics relevant to horse health ranging from gene expression studies to mapping of genetic disorders in the horse. Previously her research group discovered genetic mutations and markers for coat colors, height, sarcoid tumors and two neurological conditions.  Ongoing work targets variation in gait, susceptibility to infectious disease, metabolic syndrome and skeletal defects using genome wide association, genome re-sequencing and transcriptomics.

    Lab Research

    The horse occupies a unique place in our global culture and presents a fascinating opportunity for study.  Having catalyzed the rise and fall of civilizations for thousands of years, the horse is now in a process of transition. More ... (.pdf 180KB)

  • Extension

Samantha Brooks

Contact

Bldg 459, Shealy Drive
PO Box 110910
Gainesville, FL 32611

Phone: (352) 392-1918
Fax: (352) 392-9059
samantha.brooks@ufl.edu
Brooks' Equine Genetics Lab

  • Education

    Education:

    • 2001; B.S., Agricultural Biotechnology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
    • 2006; Ph.D., Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

  • Publications
    • Google Scholar
    • Publications (.pdf 89KB)
    • Book Chapters
      BROOKS, S.A. and Bellone, R. R. (2013). “Chapter 9: Coat color genomics.” In: Equine Genomics, CHOWDHARY, B. P. (ed.) First ed.: Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken, NJ.
    • Book
      Bailey, E. and BROOKS, S.A. 2013. Horse Genetics, Second ed.: CABI Int., Oxfordshire, UK.
  • Professional Service and Awards

    Professional Memberships

    • American Society of Animal Science
    • Equine Science Society
    • National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics
    • International Society of Animal Genetics

    Honors

    • Paul Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship, award for research in gene expression and laminitis, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY