As an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Coral Kent-Dennis’ lab will focus its efforts on understanding the fundamental and applied gastrointestinal physiology of agriculturally-relevant ruminants. Dr. Kent-Dennis earned her Ph.D. from the University of Saskatchewan where she studied ruminant nutritional physiology and developed a primary ruminal epithelial cell culture model. She then began an ORISE postdoctoral fellowship at the USDA-ARS unit on the University of Kentucky campus, investigating the bioactive properties of secondary metabolites of hemp. 

Dr. Kent-Dennis’ lab currently studies epithelial cell immune, absorptive and metabolic function, with a specific focus on identifying and characterizing bioactive compounds with the capacity for modulation of immune function and metabolism. Her lab employs a wide array of molecular methodologies, including immuno-histofluorescence for characterizing protein localization, flow cytometry and targeted gene expression analysis to quantify transcript abundance, accompanied by various cell culture models. Through this work, Dr. Kent-Dennis aims to understand the underlying mechanisms by which cellular function can be manipulated or altered as a response to perturbations such as inflammation or digestive disorders. The combination of these basic methodologies with in vivo models, will both elucidate fundamental physiological processes and develop novel solutions for industry challenges. The ultimate goal of her research program is to support the long-term sustainability of animal agriculture by improving animal health and production efficiency.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor
University of Kentucky, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, 2025 - Present

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Kent-Dennis C. and Klotz J.L. The endocannabinoid system in bovine tissues: Characterization of transcript abundance in the growing Holstein steer. BMC Vet Res. 2024. 20:481

Klotz J.L., Britt J.L., Greene M.A., Kent-Dennis C. and Duckett S.K. Ergot alkaloid consumption alters serotonin receptor-induced vasoactivity in ovine umbilical vasculature. Hum. Exp. Toxicol. 2024; 43: 1–10

Altman A.W., Kent-Dennis C., Klotz J.L., McLeod K.R., Vanzant E.S., Harmon D.L. Review: Utilizing industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) by-products in livestock rations. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 2024; 307:115850

Kent-Dennis C. and Klotz J.L. Immunomudulation by cannabidiol in bovine primary ruminal epithelial cells. BMC Vet. Res. 2023; 19:208

Ison E.K., Kent-Dennis C., Fazioli J.C., Mulligan M.K., Pham A.H., Pasternak J.A. Compensatory mechanisms in response to hypothyroidism in the late gestation pig fetus. Biol. of Reprod. Biology of Reproduction. 2023; 108:731-743.

Kent-Dennis C. and Penner G.B. Effects of lipopolysaccharide exposure on the inflammatory response, butyrate flux and metabolic function of the ruminal epithelium using an ex vivo model. J. Dairy Sci. 2021. 104:2334-2345

Kent-Dennis C. and Penner G.B. Effects of a pro-inflammatory response on metabolic function in cultured, primary ruminal epithelial cells. J. Dairy Sci. 2020; 104:1002–1017

Kent-Dennis C., Aschenbach J.R., Griebel P., and Penner G.B. Effects of lipopolysaccharide exposure in primary ruminal epithelial cells. J. Dairy Sci. 2020; 103:9587-9603

Burakowska K., Górka P., Kent-Dennis C., Kowalski Z.M., Laarvald B. and Penner G.B. Effect of heat-treated canola meal and glycerol inclusion on performance and gastrointestinal development of holstein calves at weaning. J. Dairy Sci. 2020; 103:7998-8019

Kent-Dennis C., Pasternak J.A., Plaizier J.C., and Penner G.B. Potential for a localized immune response in the ruminal epithelium following a ruminal acidosis challenge. J. Dairy Sci. 2019; 102:7556-7569

Pasternak J. A., Kent-Dennis C., Van Kessel A. and Wilson H.L. Claudin-4 undergoes age-dependent change in cellular localization on pig jejunal villous epithelial cells, independent of bacterial colonization. Mediators of Inflammation. 2015: 263629