Stephen Butler is a principal research scientist and group leader for dairy cattle reproduction research in Teagasc Moorepark, located in Co. Cork, Ireland. He completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural science at the University College Dublin, and a doctorate degree in animal science at Cornell University, plus a master’s degree in bioinformatics and systems biology at University College Cork. His main areas of research include exploring the genetic basis of sub-fertility, estrus and ovulation synchronization protocols to maximize submission rates for seasonal calving systems, the effects of micronutrients on dairy cow reproductive physiology, and strategies to use sexed semen in cattle production.
Victor Cabrera is an associate professor and extension specialist in dairy management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before moving to Wisconsin, he spent two years as an assistant professor at New Mexico State University. From 1999 through 2001, he was an extension program planner at the Inter-American Development Bank in Peru. And prior to that he was with Peru’s Valle Grande Rural Institute. Victor holds a bachelor’s degree from La Molina Agrarian University and master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Florida.
Michael Ferris earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from Churchill College, and a doctorate degree in mathematical programming from Churchill College in Cambridge. He served as a visiting professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder and University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. In 1988, he joined the Center for the Mathematical Sciences at the University of Wisconsin. Over the last 30 years, he has been a visiting professor at Exeter College, Oxford University, University of Auckland, University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. Currently, he is a professor of computer sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
An associate professor at the University of Florida, Ricardo Chebel received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Universidade Paulista in Brazil. He completed his residency in dairy production medicine at the University of California-Davis. Prior to moving to Florida, Ricardo spent time at Washington State University, University of Idaho and University of Minnesota.
John Cole is the acting research leader at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. His responsibilities include day-to-day management of the Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory. For 13 years, he served as a research geneticist – investigating genetic differences among dairy cattle for calving ease, stillbirth, persistency of yield, and health traits. He developed tools for analyzing genomic data and studied relationships between genetic markers with large effects and economically important phenotypes.
The University of Florida Distinguished Professor & L.E. “Red” Larson Professor, Peter Hansen earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, and master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He completed postdoctoral research at the University of Florida and took a sabbatical at the University of Guelph. His research revolves around developmental programming during preimplantation development, improving fertility of dairy cattle using translational genomics, validation of discovery of genes controlling fertility in dairy cattle, and sexual dimorphism in embryo responses to maternal regulatory factors.
Daniela Demetrio received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and master’s degree from Sao Paulo State University, Brazil. Her passion for bovine embryo production started in 2000 when she learned how to transfer embryos and flush cows. She became part of an embryo transfer practice in 2001 and her first exposure to in vitro embryo production was in 2002 during a training in Japan. IVF became a part of her practice in 2003. She received the award for Best Applied Science Research from the Brazilian Embryo Transfer Association (SBTE) in 2006 for her work comparing AI and ET in lactating Holstein cow recipients. In 2006, Daniela and her husband Julio were invited by the Maddox family to set up RuAnn’s IVF lab in Riverdale, California. As the RuAnn Genetics Bovine Embryo Transfer Program Director, Daniela is responsible for the production and transfer of approximately 8,000 to 10,000 Holstein and Jersey embryos per year.
Klibs Galvão is an assistant professor at the University of Florida. In 2002, he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Federal University of Goiás. He completed his master’s degree and residency in dairy production medicine at the University of California-Davis. From Cornell University he earned his doctorate degree in comparative biomedical sciences. His research focuses on reproductive physiology and management, dairy production medicine, transition cow immunology and uterine diseases, and economics of dairy production.
Brian Miller is a member of the Brian has a accountDairy Technical Services Veterinarian team at Merck. Brian earned his bachelor’s in biology from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois. He was born and raised on a dairy farm near Beloit, Wisconsin. He was a dairy practitioner for more than 20 years and was an owner/partner in an eight-person mixed animal practice located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. He currently provides technical support and consultative services and advice to dairy producers and veterinary practices in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and additional states located along the I-29 corridor. His primary areas of interest include dairy production medicine, BVDV, hypocalcemia and mastitis control and prevention
Mike Overton joined Zoetis as the global precision dairy data lead in March. Previously, he was the advisor of dairy informatics with Elanco Knowledge Solutions. Prior to his industry roles, he taught at the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of California-Davis. Mike spent eight years as a veterinarian and partner in a mixed animal veterinary practice in Stony Point, North Carolina. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from North Carolina State University and master’s degree from the University of California-Davis.
Richard Pursley received a master’s degree from Kansas State University and a doctorate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is currently a professor of animal science in his 25th year at Michigan State University. His research is focuses on ovulatory follicle development of dairy cows and how manipulating follicular development can affect fertility outcomes. He co-developed Ovsynch, an ovulation synchronization strategy for dairy cows that allowed for effective use of timed AI. He uses Ovsynch as a model to test novel fertility programs for dairy cows. The mission of his research is to develop practical solutions to enhance dairy cattle fertility.
Steven Roche is the director and principal consultant for ACER Consulting and has a vision for improving animal health through applied research and creative communication. ACER is driven by his passion and interdisciplinary skill set, which blends epidemiological research, agricultural extension, and health promotion. His mission is to develop and deliver evidence-based solutions to motivate on-farm change, address food safety, and improve animal health and welfare. Steven earned his doctorate degree in epidemiology from the Ontario Veterinary College. He also holds a master’s degree in epidemiology and bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Guelph.
As the Global People Development & Human Resources Director for URUS Group, Molly Sloan manages a global team and is responsible for enhancing the knowledge, skills, and performance of Koepon field staff and progressive dairy producers by delivering challenging education and valuable resources. Molly earned a bachelor’s degree in dairy science and agricultural journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a degree in executive education from Columbia Business School. After college she spent one year as the Illinois Holstein Herald editor and then started working for Alta Genetics.
Kelly Sporer is a research scientist at CentralStar Cooperative, Inc. Before joining the cooperative, Kelly was a senior research associate at Michigan State University. She investigated changes in gene expression in developing skeletal muscle of divergent genetic lines of turkeys and oversaw daily research activities of technicians, graduate students, and undergraduate students, as well as all aspects of chemical, biological, and occupational safety in the laboratory. Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in animal science and doctorate degree from the University College Dublin in animal husbandry and veterinary science. Her dissertation focused on gene expression changes in circulating neutrophils in transportation-stressed beef bull calves and identifying plasma biomarkers of transportation stress.
Michael Steele was born and raised on a Holstein dairy farm in southwest Ontario, Canada. After completing a master’s degree in animal nutrition at the University of Guelph, he worked for a year as a consultant in the Chinese dairy industry, and then two years as the head dairy nutritionist for Masterfeeds in Canada. Steele now serves as a professor at the University of Guelph.
John Wenz is an associate professor in Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Before moving to Washington, he served as an assistant clinical professor at Colorado State University. He was a private practitioner in Copake Falls, New York, and consultant for Land O’Lakes in Kosovo and Macedonia. He received a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from the University of Illinois, and master’s degree from Colorado State University.
Milo Wiltbank earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Brigham Young University, and doctorate degree from the University of Michigan. He completed a post-doctoral fellow in reproductive physiology at Colorado State University. In 1991, Milo joined the University of Wisconsin department of dairy science faculty. He has done research in reproductive physiology throughout his career. Much of his laboratory’s work focuses on understanding the physiologic mechanisms that regulate selection of a single dominant follicle and the mechanisms allowing regression or maintenance of the corpus luteum. He is probably best known for development, validation, and modification of the timed AI protocol known as Ovsynch.
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