Faculty of Land and Food Systems Grounded in Science | Global in Scope

People

 

CURRENT STUDENTS

 

Liv Baker || Alejandra Barrientos || Meghann Cant || Sara Dubois || Amber Itle || Amelia MacRae || Joanna Makowska || Carly Moody || Elisabeth Ormandy || Katy Proudfoot || Erin Ryan || Jeff Spooner || Kalab Negash Tesfa || Beth Ventura || Devina Wong || Gosia Zobel

LIV BAKER

I arrived as a Ph.D. student to the Animal Welfare Program in 2008. I earned my B.A. in biology and chemistry from Mount Holyoke College and completed my M.Sc. in the Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Program at the University of Massachusetts.

The affinity I have for non-human animals has greatly shaped my life, and so my research interests. For my M.Sc. I was keen to have my work merge the often-compartmentalized disciplines of animal behavior and conservation. To do this I looked at the effects of degraded and fragmented habitat on an animal’s willingness to move through its environment, and how its perception of habitat affects its movement choices. The integration of behavior and conservation has since gained currency, but the alliance of animal conservation, behavior and welfare is rare -- and increasingly urgent in the light of the global extinction crisis.

For my doctoral research I’m interested in the welfare concerns surrounding management of endangered species. Translocations and reintroductions have become key management practices. Unfortunately, most attempts have been unsuccessful in establishing self-sustaining populations, likely because the stressors characteristic of typical translocations/reintroductions can strain the coping mechanisms an animal requires to survive in the wild. More attention is now being given to where and how stress emerges for animals that are part of relocation programs.

In part, I’m investigating the factors necessary for translocation success for the endangered species of kangaroo rat Dipodomys stephensi; a nocturnal, granivorous, heteromyid rodent native to open grasslands of southern California. To date no viable populations of D. stephensi have been successfully established via translocation. It is evident that success will depend on optimizing translocation methods; implicit in this is the need to identify potential stressors and better understand how these affect the coping mechanisms at play. My research will explore origins of stress for individual animals as well as methods for obviating and reducing stress during all aspects of translocation work. In addition to improving the translocation success for this species of kangaroo rat, I anticipate my work will provide a template for effective translocation methodology.

Contact: bakerliv@interchange.ubc.ca

- top of page -

ALEJANDRA BARRIENTOS

While finishing my degree in Veterinary Medicine at the Universidad Austral de Chile, I was lucky to get the opportunity to work on one of the first Animal Welfare research projects conducted in Chile. Since then, a chain of events has continued to lead me down the path of animal welfare science.

Right after graduating, I came to visit the UBC Dairy Education and Research Centre. I got involved in a few projects with the UBC Animal Welfare Program (AWP), and that helped me gain a more global perspective on dairy cow production.

Currently, I am a Master’s student at the AWP since February 2010. My work is a joint project between UBC and an animal nutrition and health company, NOVUS International Inc. This project aims to provide dairy producers with benchmark information on their facilities in order to allow for comparison with other farms, and to develop better methods. Specifically, we are trying to find the relationship between lameness in dairy cows and stall design, management, ambient conditions and behaviour. My studies aim to improve cow comfort and promote animal welfare, contributing to sustainability of the dairy industry.

Contact: balejand@interchange.ubc.ca

- top of page -

MEGHANN CANT

I graduated from UBC in 2003 with a BSc in Agroecology. At the time, I was not really sure what to do with my degree, so I completed a four month internship at Critter Care Wildlife Society in Langley. It was there that I decided I wanted to be a wildlife rehabilitator. A year later, I was lucky enough to be hired on there as a supervisor. For the next two years, I had the chance to look after coyotes, deer, black bears, bobcats, marmots, mink, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, skunks, opossums, beavers, muskrats, and weasels. I hand-raised babies, treated injuries, and accompanied animals on their release.

While at Critter Care, I became increasingly concerned about the human-black bear conflicts occurring in BC. So in 2006, I decided to return to UBC to do my Masters in Animal Welfare. I started the Program this past September and am planning on studying black bear rehabilitation for my thesis.

Contact: mbcant@yahoo.com

- top of page -

SARA DUBOIS

Growing up in Victoria BC, I was often told as a child and young adult, “You love animals and have good grades – you should be a vet!” This was the only career option that most of my family and friends knew of when it came to working with animals. After volunteering with a number of vet clinics throughout high school and university, although I admired the profession, I knew it wasn’t quite for me. I have always known I wanted to work with wildlife and my path finally became concrete when a government wildlife vet I worked with during a summer co-op job, asked me to join her on a visit to a wildlife rehabilitation centre in 1998. I had never heard of wildlife rehabilitation before, nor had I heard of this facility in my own backyard – the BC SPCA’s Wild ARC (www.wildarc.com). This was exactly what I was looking for – I can help individual wild animals and educate the public about their plight.

In 2000, I graduated from the University of Victoria’s Biology Co-op Program with tremendous work experience in the field of wildlife biology. I wanted now to take these skills to help individual wildlife and the UBC Animal Welfare Program was where I could learn how to do this. I completed my M.Sc. in 2003, surveying wildlife rehabilitation practices across BC. My education and training came full-circle when I was hired as the Manager of Wild ARC in 2004. After almost 5 years in this challenging and fulfilling role, I took on additional responsibilities with the BC SPCA in 2008, managing provincial wildlife policies, operations and campaigns. As the BC SPCA’s Manager of Wildlife Services, I now have a greater understanding of all wildlife welfare issues from exotic pets, zoos, oil spills, to human-wildlife conflicts. But new questions about public values and attitudes towards wildlife and the effectiveness of wildlife policy and legislation, have emerged as a result of this role and I now want to better understand their impact on wildlife welfare. As a result, I returned to the Animal Welfare Program in January 2010 to begin a Ph.D. and will continue to work with the BC SPCA part-time, as my provincial wildlife work generates the questions that fuel my academic research.

 

Publications:

1. Dubois, S. and Fraser, D. 2003a. Conversations with stakeholders – 1: Goals, impediments, and relationships in wildlife rehabilitation. Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation 26(1):14-22.
2. Dubois, S. and Fraser, D. 2003b. Conversations with stakeholders – 2: Contentious issues in wildlife rehabilitation. Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation 26(2):8-14.
3. Dubois, S. and Fraser, D. 2003c. Defining and measuring success in wildlife rehabilitation. Wildlife Rehabilitation 21: 123-132.

Contact: sara.dubois@ubc.ca

- top of page -

AMBER ITLE

I was born and raised in central Pennsylvania on my family’s producer-handler dairy farm, Vale Wood Farms. I worked in every aspect of the dairy from milking cows to making dairy products to delivering milk to the consumer on a home delivery route. Growing up with a dairy background, I decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. I graduated with an animal bio-science degree from Penn State in 1999 and then earned my veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2003. I am currently a large animal veterinarian at Kulshan Veterinary Hospital in Lynden, WA. My primary focus in practice is on surgery, medicine and reproduciton in dairy and beef cattle as well as small ruminants.

After 8 years of practicing veterinary medicine, I have been exposed to the many challenges that food animal producers are faced with. Animal welfare issues on dairies such as lameness, transition cow diseases, pain management during routine procedures and humane euthanasia are all important issues that I have come to know personally. I came to the UBC animal welfare program in the fall of 2011 in hopes of expanding my knowledge in animal welfare in order to shift traditional veterinary values of individual animal medicine to one that encompasses management systems that will improve the welfare of farm animals. Although my research goals are not yet defined, the possibilities are endless.

Contact: amberitle@gmail.com

- top of page -

AMELIA MACRAE

I earned a BA in English literature at the University of Victoria and completed a BSc (Honours) in the Global Resource Systems Program at the University of British Columbia. My love of animals led me to join UBC’s Animal Welfare Program, where I completed my MSc in 2009. I did my thesis research at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, where I examined ways to improve the feeding and survival rates of orphaned harbour seal pups. I have worked as an enrichment coordinator at the Calgary Zoo, a marine mammal trainer at the Vancouver Aquarium, and I continue to work as a senior staff member at the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre.

I returned to the Animal Welfare Program in January 2012 to undertake a PhD.

 

Publications:

1. MacRae, A.M., Haulena, M., Fraser, D., 2011. The effect of diet and feeding level on survival and weight gain of hand-raised harbor seal pups (Phoca vitulina). Zoo Biol. 30: 532-541.
2. Fraser, D., MacRae, A.M. 2011. Four types of activities that affect animals: implications for animal welfare science and animal ethics philosophy. Anim. Welfare 20: 581-590.

Contact: amacrae@telus.net

- top of page -

JOANNA MAKOWSKA

I obtained my B.Sc. with a major in Biology and a minor in Psychology from McGill University. I had always wanted to study animal behaviour, but after completing a successful undergraduate research project in behavioural ecology, I realized that I wanted to work in a field where my findings could be directly applied towards improving the lives of the animals I study.

I joined the UBC Animal Welfare Program as a Master’s student in June 2006. Throughout my undergraduate degree I had become increasingly aware of the use of animals in research and testing, and had developed a strong interest in the associated welfare issues. My Master’s thesis focused on finding a humane method of euthanasia for laboratory rats - more information on this project can be found here.

I began my PhD in May 2009. I am interested in the emotions experienced by rats under laboratory conditions, and how these can be assessed through behaviour. My optimistic goal is to demonstrate that despite their size and reputation, laboratory rodents deserve the same ethical considerations and care as the larger laboratory mammals.

 

Publications:

1. Ormandy, E.H., Makowska, I.J., 2011. Opening up: is sunlight the best disinfectant? Public Policy and Governance Review 2: 63-73.
2. Makowska, I.J., Vickers, L., Mancell, J., Weary, D.M., 2009. Evaluating methods of gas euthanasia for laboratory mice. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 121: 230-235.
3. Makowska, I.J., Weary, D.M., 2009b. Rat aversion to carbon monoxide. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 121: 148-151.
4. Makowska, I.J., Weary, D.M., 2009a. Rat aversion to induction with inhalant anaesthetics. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 119: 229-235.
5. Makowska, I.J., Niel, L., Kirkden, R.K. and Weary, D.M., 2008. Rats show aversion to argon-induced hypoxia. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 114: 572-581.
6. Kirkden, R.K., Niel, L., Lee, G., Makowska, I.J., Pfaffinger, M.J., Weary, D.M., 2008. The validity of using an approach-avoidance test to measure the strength of aversion to carbon dioxide in rats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 114: 216-234.
7. Makowska, I.J., 2008. CO2 euthanasia: pain, distress and recommendations. CALAS Pacific Newsletter: 16: 18.

Contact: makowska@interchange.ubc.ca

- top of page -

CARLY MOODY

I graduated from UBC with a BSc (Hons.) in Applied Animal Biology. My profound interest in research began as an undergraduate student working as a research assistant and completing two undergraduate thesis projects with the Animal Welfare Program. I am very interested in research that aims to improve the life of research animals and as a graduate student I want to continue this focus.

I started a M.Sc. in January 2012 concentrating on laboratory rodent welfare. My thesis focuses on two methods of surgical wound closure and the effects these methods have on rodent welfare post-operatively. Currently, there is no information comparing the pain or length of wound healing associated with the use of surgical sutures versus metal clips in rodents. To address the animal welfare concerns associated with these wound closure methods, I propose to 1) assess the pain associated with the use of metal clips versus sutures for surgical wound closure in mice, and 2) assess the rate of wound healing related to these methods by appearance and histological examination. My proposed research will be the first to evaluate surgical wound closure methods in mice, and the results will be used to help minimize post-surgical pain and wound healing associated with surgery.

Contact: carly_moody@hotmail.com

- top of page -

ELISABETH ORMANDY

I joined the Animal Welfare Program as a PhD student in 2007 with a BSc (Hons.) in Neuroscience, and an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare, both from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. An ethologist by training, my PhD research takes me in a new direction, as I focus on using methods from social science and applied ethics.

My research aims to:
1) Examine how the use of genetically modified animal models in science contributes to worldwide trends. (Project completed)
2) Examine how people’s willingness to support the use of animals in science is affected by the regulatory system. (Project completed)
3) Gain a deeper understanding of people’s attitudes, values and concerns regarding the use of genetically modified animals in science (Project underway)

My overarching goals are to promote dialogue between animal welfare researchers, scientists, policy makers and the public - all with the view to improving the lives of animals in science.

In 2009-2011 I will be based in Ottawa as the 4th Research Fellow for the Canadian Council on Animal Care, in the Guidelines and Three Rs Sector.

Publications:

1. Ormandy EH, Makowska IJ, 2011. Opening up: is sunlight the best disinfectant? Public Policy and Governance Review 2: 63-73.
2. Fenwick N, Ormandy EH, Gauthier C & Griffin G, 2011. Classifying the severity of scientific animal use: a review of international systems. Anim. Welfare 20: 281-301.
3. Fenwick N, Ormandy EH, Griffin G & Gauthier C. 2010. Worldwide categorisation of impacts to animals in science: A review. Animal Welfare (in press)
4. Griffin G, Fenwick N, Ormandy EH & Gauthier C. 2010. Applying information gained from animal impact categorization systems – case study of Canada’s Categories of Invasiveness. ALTEX, 37 Special Issue: Proceeding of the 7th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences. Rome, Italy. August 30-Sept 3, 2009
5. Ormandy EH, Schuppli CA & Weary DM. 2009. Worldwide trends in the use of animals in research: The contribution of genetically modified animal models. Alternatives To Laboratory Animals, 37: 63-67

Contact: eormandy@interchange.ubc.ca

- top of page -

KATY PROUDFOOT

B.Sc., Psychobiology with a specialization in Neuroscience. UCLA, 2005.
M.Sc., Animal Science. UBC, 2008.
Ph.D., in progress, with the optimistic hopes of completion by 2013.

My research focuses on the sick dairy cow. There is no benefit to a sick cow - she feels ill, her producer loses money, and her poor health is a growing concern for dairy consumers. A cow is at greatest risk for disease after she calves, as she “transitions” from pregnancy to lactation. About half of the cows in a herd will become sick after calving, with diseases ranging from uterus and udder infections, metabolic imbalances and hoof and leg injuries (i.e. lameness).

Despite decades of research, the incidence of these diseases remains high. My research takes a multidisciplinary approach to preventing disease by answering the following questions:

What factors in a transition cow’s environment trigger disease?

Are there some cows that are more susceptible to stress-induced disease?

How can we house and manage transition cows to reduce stress and disease risk?

Publications:

1. Wittrock, J., Proudfoot, K.L., Weary, D.M., von Keyserlingk, M.A.G. 2011. Metritis affects milk production and cull rate of Holstein multiparous and primiparous dairy cows differently. J. Dairy Sci. 94: 2408-2412.
2. Ryan, E.B., Proudfoot, K.L., Fraser, D. 2011. The effect of feeding enrichment methods on the behavior of captive Western Lowland Gorillas. Zoo Biology 30: 1-7.
3. Collings, L. M., K.L. Proudfoot, and D. M. Veira. 2011. The effects of feeding untreated and formic acid treated colostrum ad libitum on intake and immunoglobulin levels in dairy calves. Canadian J. Anim Sci. 91: 55-59.
4. Proudfoot, K.L., D. M. Weary and M. A. G. von Keyserlingk. 2010. Behavior during transition differs for cows diagnosed with claw horn lesions in mid-lactation. J. Dairy Sci. 93 :3970-3978.
5. Proudfoot, K.L., J. M. Huzzey and M. A. G. von Keyserlingk. 2009. The effect of dystocia on dry matter intake and behavior of Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 92: 4937-4944.
6. Proudfoot, K.L., D. M. Veira, D. M. Weary and M. A. G. von Keyserlingk. 2009. Competition at the feed bunk changes the behavior of transition dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 92: 3116-3123.
7. Proudfoot, K.L. and K. Ito. “Cow comfort and it’s impact on lameness and behavior". Progressive Dairyman. May, 2009.
8. Proudfoot, K.L., K. Ito and N. Chapinal. “Lameness Workshop for Producers, Hoof-trimmers and Veterinarians”. UBC Research Report 9:1, Feb 2009.
9. Hosseinkhani, A., DeVries, T. J., Proudfoot, K.L., Valizadeh, R., Veira, D. M. and M. A. G. von Keyserlingk. 2008. The effects of feed bunk competition on the feed sorting behavior of close-up dry cows. J. Dairy Sci. 91: 1115-1121.

Contact: kproudy@gmail.com

UBC Website

e-Portfolio

- top of page -

ERIN RYAN

I completed my BSc (Hons.) in Global Resource Systems in 2010. During my undergraduate degree a friend recommended that I take the APBI 314 class (Animals and Society). After that class, I was hooked on the science of animal welfare.

At the UBC Dairy Research Centre in Agassiz I conducted research for my undergraduate thesis on calf play behaviour. I completed an internship in the Great Ape House at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., where I conducted a study on the effect of various feeding methods on a group of Western lowland gorillas.

I joined the Animal Welfare program as a Masters student in January 2011. My MSc project will examine public and producer opinions on animal welfare issues pertaining to the pork industry. Additionally, my project aims to identify the obstacles and opportunities facing Canadian pork producers in transitioning from gestation stalls to group housing with hopes of informing upcoming changes to the Canadian Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs.

Publication:

1. Ryan, E.B., Proudfoot, K.L., Fraser, D. 2011. The effect of feeding enrichment methods on the behavior of captive Western Lowland Gorillas. Zoo Biology 30: 1-7.

Contact: sheehan@interchange.ubc.ca

- top of page -

JEFF SPOONER

Jeff is a social science researcher who works to facilitate conflict resolution and policy based initiatives through qualitative inquiry. He is also an aspiring methodologist interested in the conceptual and theoretical dimensions of qualitative research.

After many years as a research associate at Carleton University and a freelance writer and editor, he has joined the AWP team to assist in identifying underlying values associated with disparate definitions of animal welfare among Canadian stakeholders. Individually, he is interested in the social psychological study of conflicts over animal well being as well as the history and philosophy of animal welfare science.

Contact: jeffreyspooner@gmail.com

- top of page -

KALAB NEGASH TESFA

Tesfa was born in a family whose livelihood depends on Agriculture, and thus, he grew up in close relationship with farm animals, mainly cattle and sheep. Since childhood he has been building his affection and interest in farm animals, and finally decided to combine his background in farm animals with the science world of Animal Biology by joining the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Asmara, in 1995.

Tesfa has a B.Sc. degree (Anim. Sci., 1999) from the University of Asmara, Eritrea, and an M.Sc. degree (Anim. Sci. 2003), with a specialization in Animal Breeding and Genetics, from the University of the Free State, South Africa. From the year 2000 until his arrival to Canada, he has been working as lecturer and researcher at the University of Asmara and at Hamelmalo Agricultural College, teaching mainly Animal Breeding and Beef Cattle Production and participating in the departmental research activities.

Tesfa joined the UBC Animal Welfare Program in May 2010 as a Ph.D. candidate. His primary research focus will be on assessment of dairy cattle welfare through understanding of behavioural and physiological responses to managemental practices on a dairy cattle farm.

Contact: kalabnt@interchange.ubc.ca

- top of page -

BETH VENTURA

B.Sc., Animal Science. Michigan State University, 2007.
M.Sc., Animal Science, emphasis on behavior and welfare. University of Maryland, College Park, 2009.
Ph.D., University of British Columbia, September 2011-present.

Though a boon for economic efficiency, the intensive production methods that generate much of the low-cost meat, eggs and dairy in today's market have externalized the burden of cost to the animals involved (as well as to other factors like environment and public health). The aim of my doctoral research is to explore how to make humane agriculture a more urgent and relevant priority among both farmers and consumers. My overarching goal is to develop a better understanding of current perceptions of key welfare issues and to characterize the barriers preventing both farmers and consumers from making animal welfare-friendly choices.

Publications:

1. Ventura, B., F. Siewerdt, and I. Estevez. Access to barrier perches improves behavior repertoire in broilers. PLoS ONE 7(1): e29826.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0029826.
2. Ventura, B., F. Siewerdt, and I. Estevez. 2010. Effects of barrier perches and density on broiler leg health, fear, and performance. Poult. Sci. 89:1574-1583.
3. Nielsen, B.D., K.K. Turner, B.A. Ventura, A.D. Woodward, and C.I. O'Connor. 2006. Racing speeds of Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds and Arabians. Equine Vet. J. Suppl. 36: 128-132.
4. O'Connor, C.I., B.D. Nielsen, A.D. Woodward, H.S. Spooner, B.A. Ventura, and K.K. Turner. 2006. Mineral balance in horses fed two supplemental silicon sources. J. Anim. Phys. Anim. Nutr. 92: 173-181.

Contact: bethventura2@gmail.com

- top of page -

DEVINA WONG

I graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Science, majoring in Animal Biology.

As a Science student I have been exposed to many laboratory settings involving the use of animals, especially invertebrates and rodents. This sparked my interest in laboratory animal welfare as an undergraduate student, and resulted in me taking APBI 315 (Animal Welfare and the Ethics of Animal Use), taught by Dr. David Fraser and Dr. Dan Weary. One thing led to another, and in summer 2010 I began working on a project focusing on humane euthanasia agents in laboratory rats.

I continued my involvement with the AWP through work study and directed studies projects, and started my M.Sc. in January 2012. My research is centred on the most common laboratory animal – fish, and in particular zebrafish. I aim to help in identification of a humane euthanasia agent for these animals, as there is a lack of strict standards as recommended by authorities. I am hopeful that my research will help raise awareness that fish too can suffer like other mammals do, and deserve to be treated with the respect accorded to other vertebrate species.

Contact: devinaww@gmail.com

- top of page -

GOSIA ZOBEL

Background
In my undergraduate degree, I focused on Physical Geography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at McMaster University. Although I enjoyed this field, I had grown up raising dairy goats, horses and poultry, so I was highly motivated to include animals in my graduate level education. When I began looking for an institution with which to do a masters degree, UBC’s Animal Welfare Program was a perfect fit for someone such as myself, since its students often come from a multitude of disciplines.

My M.Sc. thesis focused on evaluating coping strategies of beef cattle fed in competitive feedlot environments. This research provided strong evidence for the importance of monitoring individual beef cattle to detect subtle differences in feeding and competitive behaviour. Understanding these differences helps build a foundation for new production techniques which may allow cattle to better cope in intensive feedlot production systems.

Following the completion of M.Sc. in 2007, I consulted for a number of institutions, focusing primarily on educational applications in animal science. My most recent work included developing animal care training materials with the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) as well as technology and research coordination at UBC’s Dairy Education and Research Centre (DERC). Both positions rekindled my interest in animal welfare research. Therefore, in September 2010, I returned to the Animal Welfare Program to pursue my Ph.D. My focus has now shifted towards dairy cows, and their welfare during the dry-off period.

Current Focus - Dairy Cow Dry-Off
Dairy cows must have a calf annually in order to maintain their production of milk. For health management purposes, we must stop lactation for a period of time before calving – this process is called dry-off. Although dry-off is a common procedure in modern dairy production systems, little consensus exists in regards to the methodologies used, and also how they impact the cows. This is significant as millions of cows across North America are dried off each year.

My Ph.D. will focus on improving our understanding of how drying-off cows using various methodologies impacts their welfare.

Publication:

1. Zobel, G., Schwartzkopf-Genswein, K.S., Genswein, B.M.A., von Keyserlingk, M.A.G. 2011. Impact of agonistic interactions on feeding behaviours when beef heifers are fed in a competitive feeding environment. Livestock Sci. 137: 1-9.

Contact: gosia@gosiazobel.com

- top of page -