Amy McLean - as part of her PH.D. program in at Michigan State University, with two other professors, flew to Paris, France, then on to Mali, Africa on January 2nd, 2008. They join other professors from around the world to study and perform research on serveral species of donkeys. In particular, the Somalian Ass, an endangered species of donkey.

We are very proud to announce that Amy has just graduated from Michigan State University with her PhD in Equine Science! She also has a Masters of Science from the University of Georgia in Animal and Dairy Science with an emphasis in Reproduction Physiology and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia with two majors, Animal Science with an Equine Emphasis, 2nd Dairy Science and a minor in Agribusiness. She is currently working at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY as the State's Equine Extension Specialist and as an Equine Lecturer. She conducted research in Mali, West Africa and at CrossRoads’ donkey rescue in Clare, MI. She studied more effective ways to train and harness donkeys while measuring both physiological and behavioral signs associated with stress. She also looked at improved nutrient management methods for donkeys including studying insulin resistance and forage analysis of common feedstuffs fed to donkeys in Mali. We are very thankful to all of the people that have helped her through her graduate career (Dr. Camie Heleski, Dr. Mel Yokoyama, Dr. Tex Taylor, Dr. Carla Carleton, Dr. Judy Marteniuk, Dr. Janice Seigford, Dr. Amadou Doumbia, Professor Boboucar Demble, SPANA, the donkeys at Crossroads, Fran D’Angelo, Rudy Quesada and members of Crossroads!).

Dr. Camie Heleski, Equine Behaviorist from Michigan State University at the SPANA Donkey Clinic in Bamako, Mali.

Camie was the chair of Amy's committee and does work in many developing countries with working equids.

Dr. Mel Yokoyama, Amy’s major Professor at MSU and Amy.

Dr. Camie Heleski, MSU, Dr. Amy McLean, University of Wyoming and Dr. Amadou Demeble Chief Veternarian for SPANA in Mali. Check out www.spana.org to see more of their work.

Conducting welfare assessement on working donkeys in Segou, Mali.

Practical teaching demonstration with donkey and animal science students at IFRA in Bamako, Mali.

Students that participated in the donkey management and husbandry teaching session at E.S.A.P. a secondary school for high students interested in learning more about careers in agriculture, vet sciences or animal science in Segou, Mali.

Classroom with college students from IFRA in Bamako, Mali.