Rielle Perttu

Rielle Perttu is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota, College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences. She holds a PhD, MS, and BS in Animal Science from the same institution. Her research focuses on animal behavior, welfare, and human-animal interactions, particularly in dairy calf management systems and public perception of animal agriculture. Perttu teaches courses such as Animal Welfare & Ethics (ANSC 2015/5015) and Applied Animal Behavior (ANSC 2016), emphasizing practical application and ethical considerations. Her work bridges scientific research with community engagement, addressing topics like automated feeding technologies, calf health monitoring, and dairy industry transparency.

Dr. Perttu has received multiple teaching accolades, including repeated Thank a Teacher recognitions from the Center for Educational Innovation and the CFANS Graduate Assistant Teaching Award. Her research has been supported by grants from Merck Animal Health, CFANS, and the Hueg-Harrison Fellowship. Notable achievements include 1st Place in AVMA’s Animal Welfare Judging Competition and pioneering studies on mesh leggings for fly control in pastured dairy cows. She actively participates in outreach efforts to educate youth and adults about animal welfare, aiming to align consumer values with ethical farming practices.

Her articles explore both technical advancements (e.g., predictive disease models using automated feeders) and sociological aspects (public views on calf housing systems). Current research trends prioritize improving animal welfare through technology while addressing societal expectations for humane agricultural practices.