Bentley, Kelsey
Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist
135 Call Hall
Manhattan KS 66506-1600
919-502-9293
kbentley@ksu.edu
Area(s) of Specialization
Small Ruminant Immunology and Parasitology
Education
B.S. , North Carolina State University, 2019
M.S. , West Virginia University, 2021
Ph.D. , West Virginia University, 2024
Bio Brief
Dr. Kelsey Bentley, originally from Micro, North Carolina, grew up in a family deeply involved in youth livestock programs. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science at North Carolina State University, where she was actively involved in the livestock judging team and served as a flock technician for the NC State Small Ruminant Unit.
Kelsey pursued a master’s in Animal Physiology at West Virginia University and coached the livestock judging team. Although the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted her ability to coach, she continued her research efforts by utilizing the Katahdin flock at the Southwest Agricultural Research and Extension Center in collaboration with Virginia Tech. Her master’s work focused on Katahdin lambs' response to CD&T vaccination and remains a cornerstone of her research. She was the recipient of the Distinguished Ruby Doctoral Fellowship and earned her Ph.D. from West Virginia University in 2024. Her doctoral research examined the multifaceted immune outcomes influenced by selection for parasite resistance in Katahdin sheep, encompassing the exploration of antibodies in ewe colostrum and milk, and the evaluation of differential lipopolysaccharide-induced behavioral, immune, and plasma metabolome responses.
Kelsey is currently the Small Ruminant Extension Specialist, with responsibilities divided into 60% extension, 25% research, and 15% teaching. She is dedicated to improving the sheep industry and supporting youth involvement in this sector. Her research now centers on animal health and well-being, shifting focus from Katahdin hair sheep to the Polypay flock at Kansas State University.
Outside of work, Kelsey enjoys gardening and cooking with her husband, Cooper. They have a beloved dog named Sage and manage a small flock of club lambs marketed to local youth back in North Carolina.