Mackenzie (Kenzie) Smithyman grew up on a farm in Eastern Washington, where she was active in 4-H and FFA. These early chapters fueled her passion for the cattle industry. She attended Washington State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a focus in Animal Management. As an undergraduate student, she worked at the campus cattle feeding center, where she took an interest in ruminant nutrition, specifically feedlot nutrition. Kenzie continued her education at New Mexico State University, where she earned a master's degree under the supervision of Dr. Vinicius Gouvea and Dr. Clint Loest in June 2022. Her research focused on high-risk receiving calves and water intake following feedlot arrival. She spent the majority of her master's degree at the Clayton Livestock Research Center in Clayton, New Mexico, where she conducted her research and gained valuable feedlot experience. In August, she will begin her Ph.D. at New Mexico State University under the guidance of Dr. Glenn Duff, with the focus of her research involving newly received feedlot calves. Kenzie has a passion to investigate further the impact of nutrition and its effects on the immune system of receiving cattle. Apart from classes and research, Kenzie has attended several professional conferences. Kenzie enjoys meeting faculty and industry representatives, fellow graduate students, networking, and sharing the research conducted at the Clayton Livestock Research Center.