CAHNRS > Animal Sciences > Graduate Student Spotlight > Sabrina Haney

Sabrina Haney

Sabrina Haney

Sabrina Haney
PhD Student
Advisor: Dr. Michael Phelps

Animal Icons
Where are you from?

I am from Ogden, Utah where I attended Weber State University, majoring in the Zoology program.

What inspired you to pursue graduate studies in Animal Sciences at Washington State University?

In Utah, I was highly involved in fisheries, wetland, and molecular biology research. This research ultimately inspired me to pursue a graduate program. After meeting Dr. Phelps, I was encouraged to develop projects based on my passions within elasmobranch biology and genomics. We had brainstormed projects with Washington shark species and was encouraged to apply for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program which allowed me to branch further into my own specialty in shark reproductive biology.

What is your primary area of study or research focus?

My study includes genome assembly, evolution, and reproductive biology. I have been able to assemble the Pacific spiny dogfish genome with the Vertebrate Genome Project. We are then using this genome to look at evolution between two closely related shark species. I have been able to work with WSU veterinarians to establish a non-lethal uterine sampling in elasmobranchs. Tissues collected from this sampling procedure are being investigated for histological chemistry to understand nutrient delivery systems in live bearing sharks.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of being part of the Animal Sciences community?

As someone working on non-domesticated animals, the Animal Science community allows for collaboration and connection between veterinarians and researchers on model organisms. Well established protocols and biological insight helps to provide greater cross species comparisons for species that are not well known.

Have you received any awards, nominations, or special recognition?
2026
  • Certificate of Appreciation Award
    Washington British Columbia Chapter of AFS
  • Best Paper Presentation Award
    Washington British Columbia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
  • Harriett B. Rigas Award
    Association for Faculty Women, Washington State University
2025
  • Evercode WT Single Cell Grant
    Parse BioScience
  • M.E. Ensminger Scholarship
    Department of Animal Science, Washington State University
  • S&S Weisbroth Scholarship
    Financial Aid Services, Washington State University
  • Graduate Professional Student Association (GPSA) Travel Grant
    University of Washington
2024
  • Worthy, DePauw, and Wang Service Leadership Award
    WSU Graduate School
2023
  • WSU Distinguished Scholars Award
    Washington State University
  • Graduate Research Fellowship Program
    National Science Foundation
2022
  • Jeff C. Cederholm Endowment Fund
    Washington British Columbia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
  • Travel Grant
    Washington State University, Center of Reproductive Biology
Have you published any peer-reviewed manuscripts or key research findings?

Genome assembly of WSU’s Cosmic Crisp’s apple cultivar and genomic comparisons between other apple cultivars.