Barfield specializes in assisted reproduction technologies for large animals. Her research with the Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory has focused on the American bison and using embryo transfer technology to mitigate disease.

As the lead on the Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd project, reproductive physiologist Barfield was responsible for the conception and birth of the first bison calf in the world using reproductive material from animals in the Yellowstone National Park population. Embryos stored at CSU not only carry the Yellowstone herd’s genetics, they are also free of brucellosis, which interferes with bison reproduction in the wild.

Barfield holds a Ph.D. in conservation biology and serves as director for CSU’s master’s program in assisted reproductive technologies.