Emily K Miller-Cushon

Dr. Emily K. Miller-Cushon is an Associate Professor in the Animal Sciences Department at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on applied animal behavior and welfare with an emphasis on farm animal management, particularly dairy calves. She leads a lab investigating how early environmental factors influence behavioral development and welfare outcomes in livestock. Key areas include social housing impacts, cognitive assessments, and innovative technologies for behavior monitoring.

Her work combines behavioral observation with computer vision tools like AnimalMotionViz and ShinyAnimalCV, enabling precise tracking of animal movements and social interactions. Recent studies address topics such as long-term effects of early socialization, space allowance in group housing, and producer perceptions of welfare practices.

• Research Themes: Dairy calf welfare, behavioral development, computer vision applications, social network analysis
• Key Applications: Refining calf management protocols, improving housing systems, enhancing welfare assessment methodologies

Dr. Miller-Cushon's publications from 2023–2025 reveal a strong focus on translating behavioral science into practical animal husbandry solutions. She frequently collaborates with industry stakeholders to bridge research and real-world agricultural practices.