The Gut Bugs Inc. Team
Dana Beckler, DVM, MS
Dana’s experience with pigs began on his family’s farm where they farrowed and raised feeder piglets. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Minnesota Morris. His interest in research started when he attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, where he earned a Master’s degree in Microbiology, working primarily with E. coli.
Upon finishing his degree at SDSU, Dana pursued his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in St. Paul, MN. While at the U of M, Dana had the opportunity to work on culturing and developing the VNTR typing for Lawsonia intracellularis in Dr. Connie Gebhart’s lab.
Upon receiving his Doctorate, Dana recognized opportunities for continuing in the research field by collaborating with other organizations to develop/test products to raise healthier pigs. He moved back to where it all began, the family farm, and founded Gut Bugs, Inc. in 2005.
Dana is a member of the AASV and has been a guest speaker at their conventions on multiple occasions.
Dana resides near Fergus Falls, MN with his wife and two children.
Connie Gebhart, PhD
Dr. Gebhart is a faculty member at the University of Minnesota - St Paul and has collaborated with GBI on Lawsonia research for a number of years. Her research at the U of M has focused on the obligately intracellular bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis and the novel porcine pathogen Brachyspira hampsonii. Her laboratory was instrumental in identifying these new pathogenic species and continues to be active in studying all facets of these exceptional bacteria.
Megan Beckler, BS
Megan received her Bachelor’s degree in business education from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. After teaching high school business classes in Battle Lake, MN for three years and as GBI expanded, Megan decided to resign her teaching position to assist Dana in developing GBI and growing her own consulting business. Ten years later, Megan helps with fewer clinical/lab operations, but continues to serve as accountant and office manager.
Shawn McCarty, BS
Shawn graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Shawn’s work history contains vast animal husbandry experience, including four years working for the Animal Humane Society in the Twin Cities. While at the Animal Humane Society, Shawn was a Lead Animal Technician in charge of managing staff and performing daily husbandry duties. Since joining the GBI team in 2016, Shawn is responsible for the clinical operations and assists with laboratory processes, as needed. When not working, Shawn enjoys spending time with his wife and children and perfecting his hobby of brewing beer and fermenting wine. About his career with GBI, Shawn says, "I take pride in working with a small group of hard-working people who face challenges both known and unknown head on, and constantly arrive at a solution".
Shay Johnson
Shay grew up in Fergus Falls and attended Alexandria Technical College. Shay worked at Ottertail Valley Railroad before starting with GBI. In addition to working at GBI, Shay also runs his own dock business. Shay enjoys being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and sports. Shay was previously a youth baseball coach. Shay says, "I enjoy working with the piglets and collecting samples at various data points".
Paris Thorson
Paris was born and raised in rural Fergus Falls and brings a wealth of animal experience to the GBI team as well. Paris continues to enjoy the farming lifestyle by raising cattle and horses. Her hobbies include riding horses, roping, camping, and spending time with her family. Of her GBI team, Paris says, "I love the great group of people I get to work with and learning new things each and every day".
Alex Samuelson
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