Leite-Browning 1

Maria LeniraLeite-Browning, DVM, MS

Extension Animal Scientist

Alabama Cooperative Extension System

P.O. Box 967 Normal, Alabama 35762

PHONE: (256) 372-4954

FAX: (256) 372-5840

E-mail:

EDUCATION

  • Post-doctoral Training, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Department of Cancer Biology, 1997-2002
  • Post-doctoral Training, Meharry Medical College, Department of Physiology, Molecular neurobiology, Neurochemistry, Nashville, TN, 1995-1997
  • Advanced Study: Animal Production University of Arizona, Tucson, 1991-1992; Applied Beef Cattle Production, Reproduction and Genetics, Texas A&M University, Overton Experimentation, Overton, TX, 1993-1994
  • MS, Theriogenology (Animal Reproduction/ Physiology and Pathology), 1985 Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • DVM, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil, 1980

PROFFESISONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Extension Animal Scientist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama A&M University, 2006 to present
  • Clinical Research Associate Department of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 2004-2006
  • Associate Investigator (Department of Biological Sciences), Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, 2002-2003
  • Extension Small Ruminant Extension Specialist, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN; 2000-2002
  • Post-doctoral Research Associate (Cancer Biology), Vanderbilt University and Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, 1995-2002
  • Adjunct Faculty (Health Information Management), Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, 1995-2000

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

  • Reproductive Physiology
  • Applied Animal Genetics
  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

RESEARCH INTEREST:Investigating genetic and environmental factors that influence reproduction, growth, and endocrine function of meat goats (collaborative).

SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Pioneered the goat Extension program in Tennessee, 2000-2002
  • Organized the goat industry in Tennessee and was instrumental in the formation of the Tennessee Goat Producers Association.
  • Organized production sales where "all producers" can market quality animals.
  • Conducts innumerous seminars, workshops, and conferences throughout the United States (AL, TN, KY, MS, GA, MN, IL, MO, OH, NM, NC, SC, IN, and MS) and abroad to educate producers, Extension personnel, veterinarians, and industry representatives on the best management practices for small ruminants, including gastro-intestinal parasitism and FAMACHA training, nutrition, genetics, husbandry, health, reproduction and reproductive management including artificial insemination, and marketing.
  • Established working relationships with local, state and federal officials; universities; and EMBRAPA ( the Brazilian’s Agricultural Research Enterprise on behalf of goat producers.

RELEVANT SERVICES

  • Advisor, Goat and Sheep Producers Association of Alabama, December 2007 to 2009

Board of Directors:Vice-president and President of the Tennessee Goat Producers Association, 2002-2006

*Reviewer/ Panelist- USDA/CSREES Cooperative State Research. Education ad Extension Services (2006, 2007).

  • Reviewer/Panelist-USDA ‘NIFA

ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

  • 2012:Award of Excellence in Extension 1890 Region; for Excellence in Extension Programming in Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • 2011: Pen to Paper Award, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs; Award For Grant Funding and Sponsorship, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs
  • 2010: Exemplary Urban Programming Award, Pen to Paper Award, and Award for Grant Funding and Sponsorship, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs
  • 2009: Teachers Hall of Fame, International Kiko Goat Association
  • 2008: Outstanding Extension Staff Award, 23rd Annual Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Week, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL
  • 2007: Distinguished Service Award Goat and Sheep Producers Association of Alabama
  • 2003: Minority Travel Award from the American Association for Cancer Research
  • 2002: Minority Scholar Award in Cancer Research from the American Assoc. for Cancer Res.
  • 2002: Travel Award from the American Association for Cancer Research
  • 2001: Special Appreciation Award, Tennessee Goat Producers Association
  • 1997: Cancer Research Training Grant (supplement) NIH / National Cancer Institute.
  • 1995: Post-Doctoral Fellowship from the NIH-National Institute for Neuroscience

EXTRAMURAL SUPPORT

Strengthening the Small Ruminant Extension Program at Alabama A&M University; Co-PI; Lead Institution: Alabama A&M University Award Amount $223,0682011-2013

Introducing Commercial Meat Goat Production to Minority Farmers in Tennessee and Alabama; Co-PI; Lead Institution: Tennessee State University USDA Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. Award Amount: $300,000 2009-2012

Silvopasture Systems for Increasing Productivity, Profitability, and Sustainability on Small and Medium-Sized Farms in the Southeast USA Co-PI; Lead Institution: Alabama A&M University USDA AFRI: Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities: Small and Medium-Sized Farms Award Amount: $250,000.002012-2015

Evaluation of Sire Breeds and Heterosis Levels for Growth in Meat Goat Kids; Co-PI Lead Institution: Tennessee State University Prosperity for Small- and Mid-sized Farms Program, USDA National Research Initiative Award Amount: $276,378.002006-2010

Meat Goat Producer Training on Business Planning and Marketing Alternatives; Co-PI; Lead Institution: Kentucky State University Award Amount: $50,000,002007-2008 Southern Region Risk Management Education Center, USDA Risk Management Agency.

Promoting Value Added Enterprises among Small and Medium-Sized Farms in Alabama; Co-PI; Lead Institution: Alabama A&M University. Amount: $399,945.002009-2011

1890 FAZD Species Specific Biosecurity Practices; PI Lead Institution Alabama A&M University.Foreign Animal Zoonotic Diseases Defense Center; US.Department of Homeland Security;Amount: $15,400.002010-2011

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

(All represent invited talks)

Topics : Updates on Meat Goats reproduction, genetics, health including Gastro-intestinal parasitism and FAMACHA training , marketing, and hands-on Artificial insemination of goats.

Some Industry Field Day Presentations

  • Field Day Presentations: Tennessee Goat Producers Association

June 2006 (Cookeville)Apr. 2006 (Gordonsville)Aug. 2005 (Gallatin)

May 2005 (Newport)Nov. 2004 (New Tazewell)Jun. 2004 (Munford)

May 2004 (McMinnville)Oct. 2003 (Cookeville)Apr. 2003 (Cookeville)

Mar. 2002 (Nashville)Oct. 2001 (Lebanon)

  • Field Day Presentations: Alabama Sheep and Goat Producers Association

July 2008 (Talledega)July 2007 (Talladega)

January 2006 (Scottsboro)September 2004 (Scottsboro)

  • Field Day Presentations: Kentucky Goat Producers Association

August 2007 (Corbin)May 2007 (Hodgenville)

October 2006 (Frankfort)March 2005 (London)

  • Field Day Presentations: Illinois Goat Producers Association

October 2008 (Macomb)October 2008 (Flora)

  • Midwest Kiko Producers Group

May 2010 (Greenville, IL)

  • American Meat Goat Association Annual Conference

July 2006 (Cookeville, TN)

  • Field Day Presentations: American Kiko Goat Association

June 2003 (Parson, TN

April 2004 (Calhoun, GA)

  • Field Day Presentation: International Kiko Goat Association

September 2008 (Gray, TN)September 2007 (Johnson City, TN)

October 2006 (Johnson City, TN)Oct. 2005 (Johnson City, TN)

April 2005 (Muskogee, OK)Sept. 2004 (Johnson City, TN)

  • Festival Presentation: International Fainting Goat Association

October 2003 (Lewisburg, TN)

  • Some Managing Gastro-Intestinal Parasites of Sheep and Goats: Parasites Fecal Egg’s Identification and counting and FAMACHA System Workshops :

November 2003(Johnson City , TN)

November 2004 (New Tazewell, TN)

May 2004 (McMinnville, TN)

May 2005 (Newport, TN)

August 2005 (Gallatin, TN)

March 2007(Fort Payne, Winfield, AL)

April 2007(Huntsville, Montgomery, Opelika, AL)

May 2007(Talladega, Hale county, AL)

October 2007 (Cullman county, AL)

Nov 2007(Brasstown, NC)

April 2008 (Bullock County Extension Office in Union Springs, AL)

May 2008 (Baldwin County Extension Office, in Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL)

May 2008 (Chilton County Extension Office in Clanton, AL)

May 2008 (Marshall County Extension Office in Guntersville, AL)

May 2009 (Saint Mountain Experiment Station, AL)

May 2009 (Tuscaloosa County, Tuscaloosa County Extension OfficeAL)

May 2009 (Greene County, Mississippi Extension)

August 2009 (Tuskegee University, AL)

August 2010 (Tuskegee University, AL

August 2010 (Rockingham County Cooperative Extension Office, NC)

October 2010 (Auburn University Experiment Station at Crossville, AL)

March 2010 (Hale county Extension office, AL)

February 2011 (Marshall County Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center ,AL)

August 2011 (Tuskegee University AL)

September 2011 (Calhoun, GA)

February 2012 ( Guntersville, AL)

February 2012 (Dothan, AL)

March 2012 (Fairhope, AL)

March 2012 ( Moulton ,AL)

April 2012 (Greensboro, AL)

May 2012 (Nashville-TN)

Some Workshops on Reproduction, Reproductive Management and Artificial Insemination (AI)

May 2010 (Alabama A&M University Agribution Center, Huntsville, AL)

August 2010 (Goldsboro , NC)

October 2010 (Lebanon, Indiana, PurdueUniversity’s Extension Office.

October 2010 (Corydon, Indiana Oklahoma State University and Purdue University Extension)

PRESENTATION AT EXTENSION CONFERENCES AND SYMPOSIUM

May 2010Alabama Cooperative Extension System

ACES Small Ruminant Workshop (Huntsville)

April 2010Alabama Cooperative Extension System

West Alabama Small Ruminant Marketing Conf. (Livingston)

March 2010 University of Illinois Extension

Profitable Goat Production Mini-Seminar (Kewanee)

October 2009Purdue University Extension Service

Corn Country Commercial Goat Conference (Corydon, IN)

October 2009USDA-ARS Dale Bumpers Research Station

USDA Sheep and Goat Field Day (Booneville, AR)

August 2009Alabama Cooperative Extension

Small Ruminant Conference on Marketing (Rogersville)

May 2009Mississippi State University Extension Service

Meat Goat Health and G.I.Parasites control FAMACHA training

Workshop (Leakesville)

May 2009Middle Tennessee 4-H Meat Goat Club

Meat Goat Production and TSU Farm Tour (Nashville)

April 2009Alabama Cooperative Extension

Meat Goat Genetics and TSU Farm Tour (Nashville)

August 2008Alabama Cooperative Extension

Small Ruminant Conference on Reproduction (Columbiana)

June 2008Alabama Cooperative Extension

Meat Goat Grading and TSU Farm Tour (Nashville)

November 2007University of Illinois Extension

Meat Goat Genetics Seminal (Kankakee)

August 2007Alabama Cooperative Extension

Small Ruminant Conference on Forage Utilization (Talladega)

June 2007Ohio State University Extension

Professional Meat Goat Conference (Wilmington)

October 2006Oklahoma State University Extension

Meat Goat Conference (Ada)

October 2006University of Georgia Extension

Sunbelt Agricultural Expo (Moultrie)

September 2006Alabama A&M University

Fall Goat Symposium (Huntsville)

June 2006Alabama A&M University

Summer Goat Workshop (Huntsville)

February 2006Alabama A&M University

Spring Goat Symposium (Huntsville)

October 2005Alabama A&M University

Fall Goat Symposium (Huntsville)

October 2005 University of Minnesota Extension Services

Goat Symposium (Minneapolis, MN)

October 2004Alabama A&M University

Fall Goat Symposium (Huntsville)

April 2001Tennessee State University

1th Goat Symposium (Nashville)

March 2000Tennessee State University

2nd Goat Symposium (Nashville)

Extension Publications

  • Artificial Insemination in Goats
  • Bacterial Pneumonia in Goats
  • Biology of Reproduction of Goats
  • Breed Options for Meat Goat Production in Alabama
  • Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL) in Goats and Sheep
  • Causes of Infectious Abortions in Goats
  • Coccidiosis in Goats and Prevention
  • Contagious Ecthyma (Orf/Sore Mouth) in Sheep and Goats
  • Controlled Breeding Season Management for Meat Goats
  • Criteria to Select Goat Breeding Stock
  • Enterotoxemia(Overeating Disease) in Sheep and Goats
  • Foot Rot and Foot Scald in Goats & Sheep
  • Haemonchuscontortus (Barber Pole Worm) Infestation in Goats
  • Keratoconjunctivitis (Pinkeye) in Goats
  • Listeriosis (Circling Disease)
  • Mastitis in Goats
  • Polioencephalomalacia (Goat Polio)
  • Pregnancy Toxemia (Ketosis) in Goats
  • Puberty in Goats
  • The Estrous Cycle in Does
  • Vaccination Protocol for a Goat Herd
  • Biosecurity Measures for Meat Goat and Sheep Managers,The Species Specific EducationalResource Team (SSERT)
  • Major Zoonotic Diseases of Sheep and Meat Goats,The Species Specific EducationalResource Team (SSERT)
  • Management Options to Prevent Diseases for small Dairy Goat Enterprises; The Species Specific Educational Resource Team (SSERT); (translator to Spanish)
  • Foreign Animal Diseases of Beef Cattle That May Pose a Major Threat to the U.S. Economy, The Species Specific Educational Resource Team (SSERT); (translator to Spanish)
  • Biosecurity Practicesfor Small Beef CattleProducers; The Species Specific Educational Resource Team (SSERT); (translator to Spanish)
  • Biosecurity for swine producers; The Species Specific Educational Resource Team (SSERT); (translator to Spanish )
  • Diseases thatAffect Horses,Ponies, Mules, andDonkeys;The Species Specific Educational Resource Team (SSERT); (translator to Spanish)
  • Best Biosecurity Practices in Poultry Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Diseases; The Species Specific Educational Resource Team (SSERT); (translator to Spanish)
  • Foreign Animal andZoonotic DiseaseInformation for SmallDairy Goat Enterprises; The Species Specific Educational Resource Team (SSERT); (translator to Spanish)

Peer Reviewed Publications

Browning, R., Jr., Phelps, O., Chisley, C., Getz, W. R., Hollis, T., & Leite-Browning, M. L. (2012). Carcass yield traits of kids from a complete diallel of Boer, Kiko, and Spanish meat goat breeds semi-intensively managed on humid subtropical pasture.Journal of Animal Science, 90, 699-708.

Browning, R. & Leite-Browning, M. L. (2011, April 15). Birth to weaning kid traits from a complete diallel of Boer, Kiko, and Spanish meat goat breeds semi-intensively managed on humid subtropical pasture. Journal of Animal Science, 89(9), 2696-2707.

Browning, R., Jr., Leite-Browning, M. L., & Byars, M., Jr. (2011, April).Reproductive and health traits among Boer, Kiko, and Spanish meat goat does under humid, subtropical pasture conditions of the southeastern United States. Journal of Animal Science, 89(4), 1246.

Browning, R., Jr., & Leite-Browning, M. L. (2009).Breed evaluations for health, reproductive and carcass traits in goat's meat. Simposio Internacional sobre Caprinos e Ovinos de Corte SINCORTE. Tambau, Joao Pessoa ,Paraiba, Brasil.

Browning, R., Jr., & Leite-Browning, M. L. (2009). Reproductive, growth, and fitness traits among Boer, Kiko, and Spanish meat goats meat goat does semi-intensively managed in the southeastern United States. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 11(1), 109- 113.

Browning, R., Jr., & Leite-Browning, M. L. (2009, April 25). Mid-project research report: breed evaluation of meat goats for doe-kid performance when managed on Southeastern US pasture. Proceedings of the 24th Annual Goat Field Day. Langston University, OK, 8-13.

Jones, C. D., Bartee, J. A., Leite-Browning, M. L., Blackshear, M. A. MA. (2007, May 15). Methamphetamine-induced locomotor activity and behavioral sensitization: are dopamine d3 receptors involved? Cellular and Molecular Biology, 53(4), 15-22.

Kundranda, M. N., Henderson, M., Carter, K. J., Gorden, L., Binhazim, A., Ray, S.,Ochieng, J. (2005, January 5). The serum glycoprotein fetuin-A promotes Lewis lung carcinomatumorigenesis via adhesive-dependent and adhesive-independent mechanisms. Cancer Research, 65(2), 499-506.

Leite-Browning, M. L., McCawley, L. J., Jahnen-Dechent, W., King, L. E., Jr., Matrisian, L. M., Ochieng, J. (2004, August). Alpha 2-HS glycoprotein (fetuin-A) modulates murine skin tumorigenesis. International Journal of Oncology, 25(2), 319-324.

Reid EA, Cao Z, Wang Y, Leite Browning ML, Newkirk RF, Chaudhuri G, Townsel JG. (2003, January 10). Molecular cloning and identification of a putative PKC epsilon cDNA from Limulus polyphemus brain. Life Sciences, 72(8), 961-976.

Leite-Browning, M. L., McCawley, L. J., Choi, O. H., Matrisian, L. M., & Ochieng, J. (2002, November).Interactions of alpha2-HS-glycoprotein (fetuin) with MMP-3 and murine squamous cell carcinoma cells.International Journal of Oncology, 21(5), 965-971.

Browning, R., Jr., Leite-Browning, M. L., Smith, H. M., Wakefield, T. Jr. (1998, June).Effect of ergotamine and ergonovine on plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones and cortisol in cattle.Journal of Animal Science, 76(6), 1644-1650.

Ochieng, J., Leite-Browning, M. L., & Warfield, P. (1998, May 29). Regulation of cellular adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins by galectin-3.Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 246(3), 788-791.

Browning, R., Jr., Thompson, F. N., Sartin, J. L., & Leite-Browning, M. L. (1997, March). Plasma concentrations of prolactin, growth hormone, and luteinizing hormone in steers administered ergotamine or ergonovine. Journal of Animal Science, 75(3), 796-802.

Browning, R., Jr., & Leite-Browning, M. L. (1997, January).Effect of ergotamine and ergonovine on thermal regulation and cardiovascular function in cattle.Journal Animal Science, 75(1), 176-181.

Browning, R., Jr., Leite-Browning, M. L., Lewis, A. W., & Randel, R. D. (1996, November). Sire breed of calf influences peripartum endocrine profiles and postpartum anestrus in Brahman cows. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 13(6), 511-517.

Browning, R., Jr., Leite-Browning, M. L., Neuendorff, D. A., & Randel, R. D. (1995, September).Preweaning growth of Angus- (Bostaurus), Brahman- (Bosindicus), and Tuli- (Sanga) sired calves and reproductive performance of their Brahman dams. Journal of Animal Science, 73(9), 2558-2563.

PAPERS PRESENTED AT WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES

Nguluma ,A. , R. Browning Jr. , A. Pellerin , J. Groves, and M. Leite-Browning. 2011. Doe reproductive rates among Boer F1 and four purebred genotypes including Myotonic in the southeastern United States.American Society of Animal Sciences, Annual Meeting New Orleans.

Pellerin, A. , R. Browning Jr., M. Leite-Browning , and M. Byars, Jr.. 2011. Survival rates within a breeding population of Boer, Kiko, and Spanish does managed in the southeastern United States.American Society of Animal Science, Annual Meeting, New Orleans.

Browning , R. Jr, Leite-Browning M. L. 2010. Comparative Reproductive Fitness among Does of Three Meat Goat Breeds on Humid, Subtropical Pasture. 9th World Congress on Applied Genetics to Livestock Production. Leipzig, Germany, August 1-6, 2010.

Browning, R. Jr. and M. L. Leite-Browning.2010. Sire and dam breed effects on postweaning growth of pasture-raised meat goat kids. J. Anim. Sci. 88(E Suppl):#106. Southern Section Meeting, American Society of Animal Science. Feb. 6-9, Orlando, FL.

Leite-Browning, M L. 2010.Workshop Hands-on Demonstration of Artificial Insemination of Goats. Conference.March 26-27, Indianapolis, IN.

Browning, R. Jr., W. Getz, O. Phelps, and C. Chisley.2009. Effects of kid genotype on carcass traits of meat goats from a three-breed diallel. J. Anim. Sci. 87(E Suppl 2):487. American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting.Jul. 12-16, Montreal, Quebec, CANADA.

Browning, R., Jr., and M. L. Leite-Browning.2009. Invited talk. TSU meat goat breed evaluation research and outreach overview. EMBRAPA National Goat and Sheep Research Center.Nov. 24, Sobral, Ceara’, BRAZIL.

Browning, R., Jr., and M. L. Leite-Browning.2009. Invited talk. Breed evaluation for health, reproductive, and carcass traits in meat goats: observations from the southeastern US. In: Proc. 3rdSincorte International Conference on Sheep and Meat Goats. Nov. 16-20, João Pessoa, Paraiba, BRAZIL.

Browning, R., Jr., and M. L. Leite-Browning.2008. Reproductive, growth, and fitness traits among Boer, Kiko, and Spanish meat goats meat goat does semi-intensively managed in the southeastern United States. In: Proc. 9th International Conference on Goats. Sept. 1-5, Queretaro, MEXICO.p 173.

Browning, R., Jr., M. L. LeiteBrowning, B. Donnelly, and M. Byars.2007. Doe reproductive and fitness traits among three meat goat breeds semiintensively managed in the southeastern US. J. Anim. Sci. 85 (Suppl. 1):626. American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting. July 8-12. San Antonio, TX.

Browning, R. Jr., Payton, T, Donnelly, B. Leite-Browning, Maria L., Pandya, P., Hendrixson, W, Byars, M. 2006. Evaluation of three meat goat breeds for doe fitness and reproductive performance in the southeastern United States. In: Proc. 8th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. Aug. 13-18, Belo Horizonte, BRAZIL. 32-11, 4 pp.

Browning, R., Jr., B. Donnelly, T. Payton, M. L. Leite-Browning, P. Pandya, W. Hendrixson, and M. Byars.2006. Indicators of fitness among Boer, Kiko, and Spanish does managed on pasture in Tennessee (Year 2). J. Anim. Sci. (Suppl. 1):389. Annual Meeting, American Society of Animal Science. Jul. 9-14. Minneapolis, MN.

Browning, R., Jr., T. Payton, B. Donnelly, P. Pandya, M. L. Leite-Browning, W. Hendrixson, and M. Byars. 2005. Fitness indicators among Boer, Kiko, and Spanish does managed on pasture in central Tennessee. J. Anim. Sci. 83(Suppl. 1):360. Annual Meeting, American Society of Animal Science. Jul. 24-28. Cincinnati, OH.