Dr. Melissa Cantor

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Melissa Cantor is an Assistant Professor specializing in Precision Dairy Science within the Department of Animal Science at Penn State University. Her research mainly focuses on advancing the health, welfare, and performance of dairy calves by integrating innovative technology and nutrition into applied solutions on farms. Her interests include early disease detection using automated systems, activity trackers, and machine learning algorithms for conditions such as diarrhea and bovine respiratory disease (BRD). She has authored 38 scientific publications including 31 journal articles, 5 conference proceedings, and 2 book chapters. Her applied research concentrates on calf nutrition strategies that enhance growth and immune development, particularly focusing on colostrum management and feeding programs. Through her Calf Success program, Dr. Cantor provides hands-on training and science-backed resources to dairy producers and veterinarians. She also chairs the annual Penn State Dairy Nutrition Workshop, a significant conference that shares the latest research and nutritional innovations in the dairy industry.

Research Interests

Requirements for Pennsylvania State University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Writing
Required:24
Speaking
Required:23
Total
Required:100
IELTS
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7
GRE General
Prerequisites
Master's degree in related field for PhD Baccalaureate degree from accredited institution
Application Checklist
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Writing Sample
  • Official Transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE scores are highly recommended but not strictly required for Applied Linguistics.