PhD Student
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Dr. Natalie Erker is an Officer and veterinarian in the United States Army, currently pursuing a PhD in Non-ruminant nutrition at the University of Nebraska Lincoln under Dr. Tom Burkey. She graduated with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2013 from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA. Following graduation, she commissioned onto active duty where she has been stationed in Colorado, Alaska, California and now Nebraska. In 2019, she obtained Diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. As a practicing veterinarian she has cared for a wide range of species to include: dogs, cats, pocket pets, horses, falcons, bald eagles, reptiles and most recently dolphins and sea lions with the United States Navy Marine Mammal Program. She was intimately involved in formulating diets for the marine mammals and procuring the subsistence that comprised the various diets, which sparked her interest in pursuing a PhD in nutrition. As part of her PhD she will be working mostly with pigs, but is also running a study evaluating synbiotic use in California sea lions. Following graduation, she will serve within the Department of Defense research facilities in support of the warfighter be they two-, four-legged, or flippered. She is supported in her endevours by Josh, her husband of ten years and their four children, Leland (9y), Logan (7y), Lucas (5y) and Lexington (5y). In her family's free time they enjoy the great outdoors, specifically visiting national and state parks.