Message from the Dean for LFS Community Connects: June 2024
This convocation – Spring 2024 – is bittersweet as it is my final one as Dean of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.
I’ve had the privilege of meeting many of you when you started at UBC – and for most students, this was during the pandemic. I send you my heartiest congratulations in marking this successful milestone in your academic journey. Kudos! I know that along the way, you had to overcome obstacles by finding a community of friends and supporters during an isolating time, and you realized quickly that life often doesn’t move in a straight line.
It’s important to be continue to be flexible, adaptable and open to opportunities that come your way that you maybe didn’t expect. As I always say – my career was by accident, not by design!
Remember to stay in touch with your classmates. Last year, we introduced the Young Alumni Council (YAC). Their members are active and want to engage with you by hosting professional development events as well as social activities – which we all know are important for our well-being! I encourage you to get involved with YAC events.
Also, stay in touch with UBC through the numerous events and activities that alumniUBC hosts on regular basis. These are insightful, and expand your network and your thinking.
To continue on a journey of continuous learning, this is National Indigenous History Month in Canada. It’s a chance for us to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of the many diverse cultures of Indigenous Peoples. If you want to learn more and see the events that are taking place from coast to coast, here are some good resources to get you started:
I hope you enjoy reading this edition of LFS Community Connects, and I always welcome hearing from our alumni so feel free to drop me a line anytime. As you may know, starting October 1, 2024, my term as Dean with UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems comes to a close, and I will be moving to a new role with the University of Alberta as Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences.
It’s been a wonderful 10 years as Dean of this outstanding Faculty – in particular, seeing the trajectory of our students has been the most satisfying part of my job.
Message from the Dean for LFS Community Connects: June 2024
This most recent convocation – Spring 2024 – was bittersweet as it was my final one as Dean of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.
As you may be aware, starting October 1, 2024, I will be moving to the University of Alberta as the new Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences when my term as Dean with LFS comes to a close. It’s been a wonderful 10 years for me as Dean of this outstanding Faculty.
What has given me immense satisfaction and pride is seeing the trajectory of our students once they graduate from UBC. Our alumni become change makers in their fields – full of ideas and energy – working to improve the wellbeing of our communities through better health, new policy and research, and actions that build resiliency.
I’ve had the privilege of meeting many of you when you started at UBC – and for some students, this was during the pandemic. Many of you learned to overcome obstacles by finding a community of friends and supporters during an isolating time – building your own personal resiliency to manage issues.
I hope all of our alumni continue on a journey of continuous learning. This month is National Indigenous History Month in Canada – and it is a chance for us to learn about, celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of the many diverse cultures of Indigenous Peoples. If you want to learn and see the events that are taking place from coast to coast, here are some good resources to get you started:
I hope you enjoy reading this edition of LFS Community Connects, and I always welcome hearing from our alumni. Do feel free to drop me a line this summer as I would enjoy hearing from you.
We asked Allison our LFS Career Strategist about her favourite flavour!
What is your favourite flavour and why?
One of my favourite activities as a child was baking with my mom. Her specialty is cinnamon buns so there was often a smell of cinnamon and brown sugar wafting in our home. Cinnamon will always be my favourite “flavour” because of that (but no raisins please!).
How long have you worked in LFS and what is your role?
I am approaching my one year anniversary as LFS Career Strategist at LFS Student Services. I work primarily with undergraduate students in LFS, helping them navigate their career decision-making and prepare for life after LFS. I advise students one-on-one, create and run workshops and develop digital content to support their career learning, including our very own podcast, Career Carrots.
How has your experience as a UBC alum influenced your work and perspective within LFS?
I was the first person in my extended family to attend university and this colours everything I do. Beyond learning about artists and their work, my degree gave me the chance to study the world from a visual lens. I like to think of art history as an interdisciplinary degree – there’s political science, psychology, philosophy, literature, history and more all entwined in it. Today I use my strengths in critical analysis and design (both strengthened through my degree) with my desire to see a more equitable, accessible world to try to help others overcome their own challenges towards making the impact they want to have.
What activities, programs, and extracurricular activities were you involved in as a UBC student?
Not unlike many of our LFS students, I was an eager and highly engaged student (at times to my own detriment). Because attending university was such an important thing to me, I felt like I had to do and see everything. I got involved in my departmental undergraduate society, volunteered at the Belkin Art Gallery, worked in student residence and even edited The Point magazine at UBC Rec (I’m not athletic so this really goes to show how much our peers can influence us). One thing I wanted to do and never did was to join CiTR, run by the Student Radio Society at UBC, and write for their Discorder Magazine.
Allison Mander-Wionzek, LFS Career Strategist BA Arts, 2010 (Art History and Visual Culture)
What is the highlight of working in the LFS Student Services team?
I have been working in career development for nearly a decade now, but being able to work in the same office as the academic advising team, student engagement team and our own LFS student staff is very special. This integrated approach to student services is unique and (in my opinion) the best possible way to support student success. Plus, we have the best puns!
Do you have some top tips for our new young alumni of the Class of 2024?
My top tip is to remember that it’s about you, but it’s also about your future employer. In other words, when applying to jobs and networking, don’t drone on about everything you’ve ever done. Focus on making connections instead. When networking, look to be as interested in other people as you are in telling them about yourself. Ask questions and engage them. When you write your job applications, communicate your skills and experiences in relation to the opportunity. How have you been prepared to succeed in this particular role? What about joining this team or company interests you? Communicate these things in your application and interview. Never leave it to them to figure out how your experience relates to this new opportunity. Tell them directly.
And finally, where on campus is your go-to place to eat and/or place to relax?
I really love Bean Around the World! It helps that it’s close to Macmillan, but it also helps that they have great sandwiches, lots of space, a pretty outdoor area and delicious chai lattes.
The Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia invites applications for a Research Associate at 100% FTE to join the Dr. Leluo Guan’s Laboratory.
The expected pay for this position is $6,500/month.
Job Summary
A full time Research Associate position is available immediately for a highly motivated PhD to join Dr. Guan’s research group in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, in the area of animal microbiome and functional genomics with an anticipated start date of July 15, 2024. This position will be 70% research and 30% project management and will be in a two-years term subjected to a two-year renewal based on funding availability,
Organizational Status
The successful candidate will report to the Principal Investigator.
Responsibilities Include
Research:
– Planning and designing experiments.
– Providing input into writing research proposals and writing significant portions of grant applications.
– Engaging with community members and partners to develop research questions and protocols.
– Participating in the development and implementation of new projects, by developing new material and protocols, researching and sourcing equipment, and recommending staff and resource requirements.
– Responding to ongoing requests for regular reports by maintaining and updating information to ensure compliance with granting agencies and other external organizations.
– Identifying opportunities for developing new initiatives, grants and projects that enhance funding of research in the lab.
– Preparing Research Ethics Board applications and amendments as required, and ensuring compliance with research Ethics Board guidelines.
– Identifying new translational pathways, such as partnerships, licensing, etc. for new technologies and encourages entrepreneurial activities as appropriate.
– Conducting literature reviews relating to research areas. Contributing intellectual and scientific input to manuscripts for publication, provides scientific editing and proofreading.
Project management:
Assists the Academic co-leads with designing and implementing of operational plans based upon the overall strategic vision of the Project including ongoing assessment of strategic plan, timelines, and deliverables
May complete or oversee communications activities for the project in conjunction with team members and partners. Cultivates positive working relationships with all project participants and acts as a moderator among parties in the event that issues arise among Project participants
Overarching responsibilities for scientific and financial reporting. Monitoring expenditure of funds relative to budget, ensuring appropriate, transparent justifications for expenditures. Responsibility for exemplary file management and archiving to ensure smooth running of the project as well as to meet any audit requests. Assists in the creation of progress, scientific, financial or final reports.
Organise research project symposia, conferences, lectures, seminars or meetings. This includes scheduling, coordinating, setting agendas, acting as moderator / note-taker for virtual and in-person Project meetings.
May complete or oversee communications activities for the project in conjunction with team members
Qualifications and Experience
– Ph.D. degree in microbiology and/or functional genomics.
– Minimum three years of post-doctoral experience in animal microbiome or relevant area of research.
– Experience in genomics and transcriptomics is an asset.
– Knowledge of, and experience in, using specialized bioinformatics and pipeline development for multi-omic analysis.
– Experience developing scientific experiments for beef and dairy cattle trials.
– Experience developing, evaluating, and implementing assays for microbiome-host interactions
– Experience with the preparation of funding / grant applications.
– Experience leading and publishing systematic reviews pertaining to animal microbiome and functional genomics research areas.
– Established scientific publication record in the area of animal microbiome and functional genomics.
– Experience presenting at international scientific conferences.
– Demonstrated capacity to work with national and international interdisciplinary teams
– Proven ability to multi-task in a deadline-oriented environment with minimal supervision. Has the drive and enthusiasm to lead and work as a member of a team
SUPERVISION GIVEN
– Assists and oversees research assistants and students as required.
– Assists and provides guidelines to other research members, as required.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three references to: Professor Leluo Guan, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, (Address: 2205 East Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4) electronically to leluo.guan@ubc.ca. The application deadline is July 6, 2024. Only those asked for an interview will be contacted.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
New research funding to support farmers in adapting to climate change
June 4, 2024 – Dr. Hannah Wittman is principal investigator on a new project funded through the 2023 International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation. This is one of 32 international projects funded by Canada through the initiative, which supports transdisciplinary research that focusses on designing and implementing adaptation and mitigation strategies for vulnerable groups.
Dr. Wittman’s project is titled Agroecologicial Transitions for Climate Adaptation and Mitigation. Over the next three years, the research team will examine the influence of agroecological networks in promoting perennialization of agriculture for vulnerable farming communities in Canada, Germany, India and Brazil. Smallholder and subsistence farmers are among the most vulnerable to climate change, with extreme events affecting their livelihoods, as well as biodiversity and food security at multiple scales.
Perennialization of agriculture integrates annual and perennial crops and trees into the same farming system. Compared to annual cropping systems, which currently dominate global agriculture and markets, perennial crops show promise for climate adaptation and mitigation because of their contributions to carbon sequestration in tree biomass and soil organic carbon, and their buffering effects against soil degradation, drought, and other forms of extreme weather and climate variability.
Co-Principal Investigators on this project include Bernardo Mancano Fernandes (Sao Paulo State University UNESP), Archana Raghavan Sathyan (Kerala Agricultural University), and Verena Seufert (University of Hohenheim). Institutional co-applicants come from São Paulo State University, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, São Paulo State University UNESP, and UBC’s Land and Food Systems. International co-funding partners are Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation), and Sao Paulo Research Foundation.
Click here for more details, and to see other projects funded under the 2023 International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation.
Land One teaching team, from L-R: Athena McKown, Lindsay Cuff, Fernanda Tomaselli
May 22, 2024 – The core teaching team for Land One, a first-year cohort program at UBC, has won a D2L (Desire 2 Learn) Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning in recognition of their transformative approach to student-centred learning.
Land One launched in 2018 supported by the Faculties of Land and Food Systems (LFS) and Forestry. It accepts approximately 50 students each year, and offers integrated first-year courses in a supportive environment as students adjust to university academics, as well as several opportunities for personal development, such as learning about different worldviews and participating in field trips throughout the year.
“Supported by both Faculties, this interdisciplinary approach demonstrates the program’s commitment to preparing students for contemporary global challenges in land use, food security, climate change, and sustainability,” says Dr. Tomaselli.
“By fostering a holistic understanding and providing practical skills, Land One empowers students to contribute meaningfully to sustainable solutions.”
Central to Land One is the team’s commitment to inclusive pedagogy and decolonizing education, integrating diverse ways of knowing such as Indigenous perspectives and worldviews. Students speak of the transformative impact of this approach, with many expressing a newfound interest and appreciation for Indigenous knowledge.
Through its integrative approach and experiential activities, Land One cultivates students’ sense of responsibility towards their local communities. For example, students’ awareness extends beyond the classroom by participating in a number of field trips and volunteer activities in nearby farms, community gardens, and research forests.
“Land One not only imparts academic knowledge, but also cultivates a sense of global citizenship,” said Dr. Tomaselli. “Our goal with the program is to shape the next generation of learners who can contribute to finding solutions to complex ecological and social challenges.”
The D2L Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning recognizes excellence in collaborative teaching and learning in post-secondary education. It is offered by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE).
The potential for climate change to seriously harm B.C.’s wine sector was starkly demonstrated in January 2024 when temperatures in the all-important Okanagan grape-growing region suddenly plummeted as low as minus 29 degrees Celsius. According to Professor Dr. Simone Castellarin—Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Viticulture and Associate Director of the Wine Research Centre—the impact of the sweeping cold snap was both “striking and unprecedented.”
B.C.’s main cultivars and varietals can typically tolerate seasonal temperature drops of up to minus 18-23 degrees Celsius, says Dr. Castellarin. But the unique severity of January’s weather meant the majority of grape buds throughout the region were quickly destroyed. Wineries lost almost their entire production capacity for the year, while the next two or three years for many will be limited to only partial production. “As far as we know, there has never been an event like this in any wine region before,” he says.
The impact of changing temperatures on viticulture and plant physiology has been a foundation of wine industry research for several years. But while the climate change trend of rising temperatures—and the attendant effects of drought and heat stress on plants—has featured heavily in many investigations, it was the radical severity of the Okanagan cold snap that took many by surprise.
“When we talk about resiliency in the wine industry, we are usually discussing ways to adjust to and thrive in conditions that are not optimum. Extremes like this, though, are so dramatic, they are almost beyond resiliency,” says Dr. Castellarin. But while January’s devastating event has clearly diminished morale among the region’s producers, he adds, there is a growing feeling that they need to find a way through the crisis and move towards recovery.
And that’s where Dr. Castellarin’s multidisciplinary research approach comes in, uncovering new ways for the industry to understand and adapt to environmental changes. Via lab work and in-the-vineyard study, his projects have investigated everything from the benefits of canopy management techniques on fruit and wine quality to the characterization of molecular and physiological mechanisms in fruit ripening processes.
The key to this kind of work is the strong partnerships his team has built with local producers. “The industry supports us in many practical ways, from funding studies to providing vineyard space and managing our projects in the field,” says Dr. Castellarin, adding that working closely together remains the most effective way to develop new resiliency strategies and help safeguard the future of B.C.’s $3 billion wine sector. “Extreme temperatures are predicted to become more frequent and this will continue to be a huge challenge for the industry. Over the next few years, we need to focus our efforts on being better prepared for these extremes.”
When Dr. Rickey Yada started as Dean of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems back in 2014, he was asked by Dr. David Farrar, then UBC Provost and Vice-President, Academic, how he planned to build capacity.
“I said that I would focus on getting to know the people we serve—students, staff, faculty, alumni, partners, etc.—and being a good listener,” he says, recounting advice he received from other agricultural school deans.
“I spent a lot of time meeting people, even before I officially started, to try and understand the interests and needs of those we serve.”
Now, with his two terms as Dean coming to a close on Sept. 30, 2024, the Faculty’s capacity has grown in several ways. The number of undergraduate students has increased from 1,477 in 2014 to 1,759 in 2023. Similarly, the Faculty’s stronger focus on research and on developing professional programs has led to a 71% jump in graduate students in the same time frame.
He is a triple alum of UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems (BSc in Agriculture, MSc, PhD). Known as someone who places a high priority on supporting students, Dr. Yada is well-recognized when he walks the hallways, having served as a mentor, a judge in case competitions, and a cheerful volunteer, even if it involves sitting in a dunk tank.
“I think it means a lot to the students when faculty get involved, because then they realize, ‘wow they’re interested and they care.’ When I was a student, I don’t know if I knew who the Dean was or what the Dean did. I’ve always been student facing, which is why I started the Dean for a Day contest. It gave students a chance to shadow me and get a glimpse of how UBC runs from behind the scenes.”
Before joining UBC, Dr. Yada worked at the University of Guelph and served in many leadership roles, including Department Chair, and Assistant Vice-President of Research. Also, from 2003-2011, he was the Scientific Director, Advanced Foods and Materials Network, a Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) that brought together 26 institutions and more than 200 graduate students.
From NCE, he saw the value of multi-disciplinary collaboration across the tri-council mandates (from life science/engineering to health sciences to social science and humanities). This seeded a desire to foster collaboration across Faculties, and to hire faculty members who are cross-appointed with other units at UBC—such as engineering, science, forestry, business, and arts—to benefit research and teaching.
“To me, where faculty members live administratively isn’t important. It’s what they do when we establish partnerships/ collaborations that’s important, and I think they help identify opportunities that may not have been apparent when they are embedded in a single Faculty.” He believes the role of a Dean is to identify opportunities and facilitate success.
Dr. Yada launched two five-year strategic plans, one early in his tenure and then an updated one in 2021. The latest plan came out in a more complex time—during the pandemic, with climate changes impacting us in B.C., and with the acknowledgement that the university needed to enhance efforts to advance equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigeneity (EDI.I).
These factors helped to shape the most recent strategic plan which entwines the UN Sustainable Development Goals within the Faculty’s core areas of strengths. “I think LFS had a lot of good people within the Faculty. I wasn’t sure there was focus for the Faculty. The breadth of expertise that we have is quite large but I thought it was quite important that everyone shoot for the North Star.”
In addition, to align the Faculty with UBC’s EDI.I initiatives, he created two new roles: Associate Dean of Equity, Decolonization, and Inclusion (Dr. William Valley); and, Senior Manager, Indigeneity (Dana-Lyn Mackenzie).
Research is another area that has seen an increase in capacity during Dr. Yada’s tenure, with the average annual research funding per faculty member rising from $198,000 in 2016 to approximately $354,000 in 2023.
“That was a combination of a number of things. We hired really well when it came to young faculty members and they’ve done a superb job. Also, Nick Grant (Research Facilitator), Baohua Wang (Research Assistant), and David Kitts (Associate Dean, Research) have been game changers. Their whole attention is making sure that the quality of the applications is the best it can be.”
He is proud of how land and food systems has been a leader in experiential learning, enabling students to develop complex problem-solving skills through working with community partners. These could be local partners through the LFS core series of courses (Land, Food and Community), or partners further afield through programs such as Global Resource Systems.
Students can also dig-in and learn first-hand about food production and regenerative agriculture at the Faculty’s 24-hectare UBC Farm site or at the Dairy Education and Research Centre in Agassiz, B.C.
The Faculty is in the midst of three capital projects that have resulted from Dr. Yada connecting with industry, and balancing both community and economic needs. The first is the Food and Beverage Innovation Centre (FBIC) at UBC, which will support B.C.’s food and beverage entrepreneurs through new product research and development, testing, and industry training.
“The FBIC was a project we talked about back when I was a student, so I’m excited to see that it is near completion.”
The second is a new building at UBC Farm, a jewel at UBC but one of the campus’ best-kept secrets. The building is moving into design phase and once completed, it will support, teaching, research and community outreach. Finally, the renovation and installation of robotic milkers at the Dairy Education and Research Centre (DERC) in Agassiz, B.C., recently completed, further enhancing DERC as a world-class research site.
Never one to sit still, Dr. Yada will turn his experience to the University of Alberta where he will become Dean, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences starting Oct. 1. The question asked most often is whether he can wear shorts in Edmonton? He seems to think so.
“I say ‘yes’ because I’m going to be indoors 98% of the time. I understand there are tunnels or walkways between the buildings and I won’t have to be exposed to the weather, so I don’t see why I can’t. But ask me after a year of being there,” he quips.
Dr. Yada’s advice for students:
“This is an opportunity to build your network. Some of my best friends I met during my time here as an undergraduate or graduate student. Some of these friends have identified opportunities. Some of these people you meet may be your employer – even if they aren’t classmates, they’re alumni, etc.”
“If you see an opportunity, I think you need to take it. Not foolishly – but if you don’t, then you’re in that no-persons’ land of should have, could have, would have. For me personally, that’s not a good feeling because it’s an opportunity lost.”
New Research Centre Aims to Tackle Food Insecurity
Dr. Anubhav Pratap-Singh
The concept of food security was one of the main reasons Dr. Anubhav Pratap-Singh became a scientist. “There was a crucial and well-known United Nations declaration that said every individual should have the right to safe and nutritious food,” says the LFS Associate Professor, whose research focuses on technological innovations in food processing.
“And from a very early stage, that was what motivated me in my education and career.”
That original inspiration is about to come to full fruition in Dr. Pratap-Singh’s latest role as Director of UBC’s highly anticipated new Food and Beverage Innovation Centre (FBIC). Scheduled to open later in 2024, the centre—a unique collaboration between LFS, industry, government and other leading institutions—will tackle pressing and complex food security challenges in a dynamic and pioneering research program.
Food insecurity, says Dr. Pratap-Singh, can affect all levels of society. In undeveloped regions, war or political instability might disrupt agricultural operations or supply systems. While in richer nations, rising grocery prices or local crop failures due to climate change can compromise general access and availability. The right to safe and healthy food, he adds, can never be taken for granted—but innovation can provide some vital tools to help safeguard it.
Dr. Anubhav Pratap-Singh
Those tools, says Dr. Pratap-Singh, need to be as multifaceted as the problems and that’s where the FBIC comes in. While the majority of food producers might struggle on their own with the economics of developing new products and approaches, the centre aims to step in and become their innovation partner. “Our main purpose is to provide a platform for farmers and producers to access and try out innovative technologies, creating new solutions to a wide range of food security challenges.”
The centre, he adds, will be fully equipped with top-notch facilities—from a 1,000-litre fermenter to high-pressure food processing equipment—enabling it to pinpoint, investigate and tackle the kind of problems and solutions producers are keen to address. The resulting practical innovations could range from products with longer shelf lives to reducing food waste in production systems or from increasing food security in vegan diets to upcycling processing byproducts back into the food system.
“Necessity is the mother of invention, and right now we need more innovation in our food systems than ever before. That’s the most exciting thing about the new Food and Beverage Innovation Centre, but it’s also perhaps its biggest challenge in terms of food security: to work with and help the maximum number of companies, producers and farmers as we can.”
Dr. Leluo Guan joins the Faculty as a Professor in the Applied Biology Program and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Animal Functional Genomics and Microbiome.
Dr. Guan received her Master’s degree and PhD in pharmaceutical science from Kyoto University. She then completed her postdoc at the University of Alberta (U of A) studying anti-cancer drugs, including how they can potentially inhibit cancer cell growth or kill cancer cells in humans.
After hearing about an exciting opportunity that incorporated her research on anti-cancer drugs and her passion for microbiology, Dr. Guan decided to pursue a job back in Japan.
“I decided to go back to Japan because I always wanted to go back to microbiology research and I love the ocean. They had a position open with anti-cancer drug discovery, specifically using marine bacteria, marine sponges and marine algae.”
She then decided to move back to Canada with her young family and returned to the U of A, where she had the opportunity to incorporate animals into her research for the first time.
Dr. Guan participated in a research team that contributed to the first genome sequencing in the International Bovine Genome Sequencing Project, a project that helps to advance our understanding of animal health research and reduce agriculture’s impact on the environment.
Just prior to joining UBC, Dr. Guan was a Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science at the U of A, where she developed and led a world-class research program focused on microbial-host interactions and functional genomics in cattle.
Her research aims to improve production efficiency and the health and welfare of cattle, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of cattle, resulting in a more sustainable and competitive industry. For example, her research team is trying to use advanced genomics and microbiome technology to identify novel enzymes and probiotics that can improve digestive efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in cattle.
“If cattle digest feed more efficiently in the rumen, they produce less methane. Secondly, if they digest more feed in their gut, there will be less feces secreted into the environment,” explains Dr. Guan.
At UBC, Dr. Guan has already collaborated with researchers in various fields, from food safety and dairy to aquaculture, chemistry and computer science. “Microbiome-based novel solutions are very key and can be implemented into real, problem-solving situations. You can work everywhere – in environment, food, medicine, livestock, soil.”
