Eileen E. Fabian (Wheeler), Ph.D.

Extension and Research Links

Gypsum Bedding Factsheets and Webinars

Manure Storage Design and Safety Considerations with Gypsum Bedding

Resources for Ventilation of Livestock Housing

Research

Recently Completed Research Projects

• Cage-free housing ventilation options to reduce disease spread, improve air quality and enhance bird welfare. 2017-2018. $44,166 (no overhead). Egg Industry Center.
• Climate change mitigation and adaption in dairy production system in the Great Lakes region.  2013-2018. $10,000,000 [$833,074 to Penn State University]. USDA-National Institute Food and Agriculture-Coordinated Agriculture Project (CAP).
• Manure gas risk associated with gypsum bedding at dairy farms.  2013-2015. $140,000. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service-Pennsylvania. Conservation Innovation Grant.
• Assessment of a dry poultry litter soil incorporation technology to protect air and water quality.  $500,000 [$149,000 Penn State University]. 2010-2014. USDA 1890 Institution Teaching and Research Capacity building Grants Program.
• Odor mitigation potential of proprietary swine manure amendment.  2011-2013. $41,692. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service-Pennsylvania. Conservation Innovation Grant.
• Odor Emission Evaluations of Dairy Diet and Manure Additives. 2008–2009. $241,683. USDA Special Grant.
• Odor emission evaluations of dairy nutrient management strategies. 2006–2009. $325,325. USDA Special Grant
• Integrated strategies for reducing gas emissions from dairy farms. 2005–2008. $332,000. USDA Special Grant
• Field verification of emissions mitigation methods from laying hen facilities. 2007–2008. $75,000 ($32,000 Penn State). U.S. Poultry & Egg Association
• Field demonstration of ammonia emission mitigation through dietary strategies for laying hen operations. 2008–2009. $812,998 ($300,000 Penn State). USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Equipment Grant (CIG)
• Air quality extension and education. 2006–2009. $500,000 ($25,000 Penn State). USDA National Research Initiative, Air Quality
• Air quality in Norwegian horse stables. 2008. $14,000. Norwegian Horse Center (International)
• Odor and Gas Emissions from Dairy Manure Amended with UNLOK. 2008. $10,000. AgraKey, Inc.
• Validation of in situ flux chamber performance for determination of ammonia and odor emissions. 2008. $15,000. Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Seed Grant.

Completed Research

Principle Investigator

• Odor-Reduction Wetland Performance. 2003–2004. $52,000. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
• Comprehensive Odor Reduction Livestock Facility. 2001–2002. $162,946. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
• Reducing Ammonia Emissions from Poultry Houses by Enhanced Manure and Diet Management. 2001–2004. $270,000 Penn State ($870,000 Total). U.S. Department of Agriculture, IFAFS (U Kentucky, Lead; Iowa State U)
• Water Flow Evaluation of Broiler Drinker Design. 2005. $5,000. Chore Time, Inc.
• Comprehensive Odor Reduction Livestock Facility. 2001–03. $162,946. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
• Pit Fans for Fly Control. 2000. $6,539. Pennsylvania Egg Research Program
• Summer Ventilation & Heat Stress Management. 2000. $10,459. Pennsylvania Broiler Research Program
• Odor Control Wetlands for Liquid Swine Manure. 1999–2000. $41,816. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
• Constructed Wetlands for Clean Greenhouse Wastewater. 1998–99. $58,582. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
• Pit Ventilation Improvements for Fly Control. 1998–99. $159,887. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
• Ammonia Control Strategy Cost-Benefits. 1998. $15,000. Pennsylvania Broiler Research Program
• Winter Ventilation & Fuel Use: An Economic & Productivity Analysis. 1997. $15,686. Pennsylvania Broiler Research Program
• Layer House Environment Control Strategies for Improved Productivity & Profitability. 1997. $17,654. Pennsylvania Egg Research Program

Co-Investigator

• Reducing Ammonia Emissions from Dairy Farms-Evaluating Whole Farm Strategies. 2004–07. $332,000. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Special Grant
• Field Olfactometry for Quantifying and Targeting Agricultural Odor Control. 2005–07. $70,240. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
• Ferric Iron Treatment to Reduce Manure Odors. 2004–06. $170,000. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
• CFD Modeling of the Spread of Airborne Diseases in Chicken Houses. 2005. $5000. Penn State Indoor Environment Center Seed Grant
• The Application of Fenton Reaction for Reducing Manure Odors. 2004–05. $12,000. Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences
• Evaluation of Embryonic Metabolism and Heat Production of High Yielding Broiler Breeds: Single Stage Environment. 2002–04. $45,045. U.S. Poultry & Egg Association
• Detection of Important Respiratory Irritants in Equestrian Facilities. 2003–04. $42,100. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
• Enzymatic Deodorization of Swine Manure. 2002–04. $119,000. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
• Advanced Molecular Analyses of Microbes from Constructed Treatment Wetlands. 2003. $7,250. College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State Univ.
• Deodorization of Livestock and Poultry Manure by Microorganisms. 2001–03. $74,682. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
• Air Quality Parameters in Animal Housing Facilities. 2000–02. $59,455. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
• Facility Design & Management Practices for Dairy-Beef & Veal. 1996–99. $141,016. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Publications

Books

• Pawar, S.R. J.M. Cimbala, E.F. Wheeler and D.V. Lindberg. 2010. Contaminant dispersion within and around poultry houses using computational fluid dynamics. Chapter 3. Computational Fluid Dynamics. H. Woo, editor. pp: 53-76.
• Wheeler E.F. 2006. Horse Stable and Riding Arena Design. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA and Oxford, UK. 308 pp.
• Wheeler, E., B. Koenig, J. Harmon, P. Murphy and D. Freeman. 2005. Horse Facilities Handbook. MidWest Plan Service, Ames, IA. 232 pp.
• Roberts, W., J. Bartock, E. Fabian and J. Simpkins. 2001 and 1983. Energy Conservation in Commercial Greenhouses. NRAES-3. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service, Ithaca, NY. 1983 original 42 pp. Revised 2001 by J.W. Bartock, 84 pp.