Jefo Poultry Academy Yosemite Park
Our Guests
Nicolle Barbieri
University of Georgia
Dr. Nicolle L. Barbieri is an assistant professor in the Department of Population Health at the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine. She has a undergraduate degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil, and a Master and a PhD degree in Cell and Molecular Biology, specializing in Molecular Microbiology from the same University.
Dr. Barbieri is specialized in Extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) – which encompass avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and Neonatal meningitis E. coli (NMEC). She has been studying their characteristics, looking for the prevalence of virulence genes, drug resistance, and their role in pathogenesis by using molecular biology tools to elucidate their relationship with their host. Currently, Dr. Barbieri research focuses are on antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors in ExPEC of poultry isolates (broilers, turkeys and layers) and onto investigating the molecular basis for biofilm formation as well as their relationship with human pathogens.
Fun fact : Nicolle is from Brazil but lives in Geogia, where she has a cat.
James allen byrd II
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Dr. J. Allen Byrd is a native of Texas, receiving his B.S in Animal Science (1984), M.S. in Nutrition (1987), Ph.D. in Poultry Science (1994) and D.V.M. (1996) from Texas A&M University. In January 1996, Dr. Byrd joined the USDA-ARS Food and Feed Safety Research Unit in College Station as a Post-doctorate Animal Scientist. In 1997, Dr. Byrd accepted a position as a Research Microbiologist in the same unit and is currently the Project leader for pre-harvest food safety research in College Station. He is also an adjunct faculty member in the Departments of Poultry Science and Veterinary Pathobiology at Texas A&M University. He research interests have focused on investigating cost efficient pre-harvest Food Safety intervention strategies in poultry. Dr. Byrd is a member of the Poultry Science Association, Southern Poultry Science Society, American Veterinarian Medical Association, American Association of Avian Pathologist, and World’s Poultry Science Association. He has received the USDA-ARS, Southern Plains Area Early Career Research Scientist (2003) and was selected by the USDA-ARS Administrator as the Agency nominee for the Dr. Daniel E. Salmon Award “For Exemplary Achievement in Federal Veterinary Medicine (2004). In 2006, he received the Frank Purdue Live Poultry Food Safety Award from the Poultry Science Association. He authored or co-authored over 130 manuscripts.
Fun fact : Nemophilist and numismatics
Roger Campbell
Pork CRC
Dr. Campbell is CEO of the, CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork, which commenced in July, 2011 and is positioning the Australian pork industry and its products as high integrity, welfare optimal, premium quality, safe, nutritious and highly sought after. Based at University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy Campus. He was also CEO of its predecessor, the CRC for an Internationally Competitive Pork Industry.
Dr. Campbell was a research scientist at the Victorian Department of Primary Industries at the Animal Research Institute, Werribee. In the mid-80s he spent a year as a visiting scientist with the US Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, Maryland, doing world leading research, including on the effects of exogenous growth hormone on energy and protein metabolism in pigs. He spent a decade as general manager, technical services at Bunge Meat Industries, Corowa, NSW, then Australia’s largest integrated pork production company. From 1999 to 2005 he was back in the USA, as CEO of Ausgene, a genetic technology company in Bloomington, Illinois. He was also a member of a research and innovation team for United Feeds, Sheridan, Indiana.
Fun fact : Coming soon
Peter chrystal
Sydney University
Peter completed his Bachelor of Science in South Africa under Professor Rob Gous and is currently completing a PhD in poultry nutrition at the University of Sydney, investigating reduced protein diets in broiler chickens. Peter has extensive commercial experience in both monogastric feeds and vitamin and trace mineral premix manufacture. He has worked as a nutritionist for the largest poultry integrators in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, where he currently works for Baiada Poultry, based in Sydney.
Peter has presented at a number of conferences around the globe and been both author and co-author of several peer reviewed publications. He has successfully used the Mechanistic EFG broiler Model as a tool to improve broiler performance and profitability for a number of different broiler companies. Current challenges in Australia include nutritional strategies for growing broilers in a reduced antibiotic environment and deciding on what alternatives (if any) should be used. In addition, his interest in reducing crude protein in commercial broiler diets, without sacrificing broiler performance, to achieve a reduction of litter moisture (and nitrogen excretion) and ultimately improve bird welfare and sustainability outcomes is receiving a great deal of attention.
Fun fact : Coming soon
Morgan Farnell
Texas A&M University
Dr. Farnell was raised on a cattle farm in the Ark-La-Tex region. He obtained a BS in Agri-Business from Southern Arkansas University and went to work for Tyson Foods as a processing plant supervisor. He pursued a MS in Poultry Science focusing on pre-harvest food safety at Texas A&M University (TAMU) and later offered a generous assistantship to pursue a PhD in Veterinary Microbiology focusing on Avian Immunology at the same university. Dr. Farnell completed postdoctoral fellowships with the Institute for Animal Health in the UK and the Agricultural Research Service at the University of Arkansas where he worked with chicken dendritic cells and Campylobacter intervention strategies, respectively. He was a Poultry Extension Specialist with TAMU and Mississippi State University for 11 years focusing on biosecurity, cleaning and disinfection, euthanasia, mass depopulation and reportable disease/disaster response. He currently serves as an associate professor with the TAMU Poultry Science Department with a research and teaching appointment. He has focused on antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic alternatives to improve food safety, teaches graduate immunology and undergraduate microbiology and takes a study abroad class to Central Mexico each year.
Fun fact : He met his wife in graduate school, and she was one of the main reasons for his Ph.D. They have two teenagers who are working to become Eagle Scouts. He enjoys scouting and deer lease, as it allows them to spend quality time together. He likes the outdoors and working in production agriculture. He hopes his efforts in academia will help the farmers that he grew up with in some way.
yuhua Farnell
Texas A&M University
Dr. Yuhua Farnell previously serves as an Assistant Professor at Biochemistry department of Mississippi State University before she joined Texas A&M University as an Instructional Assistant Professor in Aug. 2016. She has established her own research program involving how suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) circadian outputs, especially extracellular vesicles (exosomes), coordinate oscillations in downstream tissues and cells. Her current research focus on 1) Characterize the effects of Salmonella on Gut-Brain Axis and peripheral circulation system in Broiler Chickens, 2) Establish long-term three-dimensional organoids as ex vivo model system to study the mechanism of host-microbe interaction during pathogen infection in chicken, and 3) Delineation of molecular mechanism involved in woody breast in broilers.
She teaches classes for both undergraduate and graduate students, including POSC 308 Avian Anatomy and Physiology, ANSC 481 Senior Seminar, POSC 609 Avian Physiology, and POSC 637 Application of Gene Expression Methods in Avian Science. She received her doctorate in Genetics from Texas A&M University, Master of Medicine from Beijing Medical University and a Bachelor’s degree from Anhui University of Chinese Medicine.
Fun fact : Yuhua has a LOT of hobbies including: gardening, hiking, cooking and baking, knitting, crocheting, photography, and playing tennis.
Billy Hargis
University of Arkansas
Billy M. Hargis received his MS at the University of Georgia, and his DVM and PhD at the University of Minnesota. He was a faculty member in the Departments of Veterinary Pathobiology and Poultry Science, Texas A&M University. Hargis joined the Center of Excellence in Poultry Science in 2000, as professor and director of the Poultry Health Research Laboratory. A diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians, he teaches in poultry science program and has an active research program in the area of poultry health and ante mortem food safety intervention with interests in poultry immunology and endocrinology. He has advised or co-advised more than 50 MS and PhD students and has published numerous manuscripts and book chapters relating to food safety, poultry health, and poultry physiology. His laboratory has been recognized by several awards including the Carrington Laboratories Research Award, the Poultry Science Association Research Award, USDA Certificate of Merit for Scientific Leadership, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association Faculty Research Award, the National Broiler Council Research Award, the Texas A&M University Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for Research, and the Poultry Science Association Award for Achievement in Poultry Science.
Fun fact : He likes family, friends, critters, and even graduate students (and some faculty).
Kirk Klasing
University of California Davis
Dr. Kirk Klasing is an extensively published expert on poultry nutrition and immunology, with more than 175 peer reviewed publications, 10 books and eight awards to his name for his work in poultry nutrition. Specialist topics focus on the interaction between poultry nutrition and immunity, including the effect of diet on immune-competence, the nutritional cost of immunity and the impact of immune responses on growth-related physiology.
He is currently Professor of Avian Biology in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis, where he has worked for over 25 years. Previously, he was Assistant Professor of Animal Science at University of Illinois. He holds a BS in Agricultural Science and an MS in Animal Science from Purdue University and a PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry from Cornell University.
Fun fact : He hopes to ski every mountain in the world before his back gives out.
mike Kogut
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Dr. Kogut is a Research Microbiologist and Lead Scientist within the Food and Feed Safety research Unit at the Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, College Station, TX, USA. Dr. Kogut has published over 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers,11 book chapters, and has received 5 patents. Dr. Kogut’s research is centered on gut health of poultry and alternatives to antibiotics to control disease and increase production. Specifically, Dr. Kogut’s research has concentrated on the development of cost-effective immunological interventions to improve gut health by studying the role of the microbiota in immunity to infection; the role of dietary metabolites in promoting immune regulation and immune responses to pathogens; tissue specific regulatory responses to infection; characterizing novel molecular targets that mediate the actions of dietary compounds and botanicals in inflammation and immunity; investigating how diet modulates the gut microbiome and mucosal immune responses; and understanding the integration of central metabolic pathways and nutrient sensing with antimicrobial immunity and how it alters cellular energy homeostasis and contributes to the prevention or resolution of infectious diseases.
Fun fact : He enjoys cycling
Ramon Malheiros
North Carolina State University
Doctor in Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Master in Nutrition, PhD in Animal Science, Pos doctorate fellow in Belgium at KUL, and at NCSU, Cell Biology Lab. Former Professor at UNESP-Brazil. Research interest in Poultry Physiology, Nutrition, and Reproduction. Broilers and Broiler Breeders. Egg Quality, Alternative feed ingredients and additives.
Fun fact : Ramon’s hobbies include karaoke, silversmithing, gardening, and traveling.
frank Mitloehner
University of California Davis
Frank Mitloehner is a Professor and Air Quality Specialist in Cooperative Extension in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis. He received his MS degree in Animal Science and Agricultural Engineering from the University of Leipzig, Germany, and his PhD degree in Animal Science from Texas Technical University.
Dr. Mitloehner is an expert for agricultural air quality, livestock housing and husbandry. Overall, he conducts research that is directly relevant to understanding and mitigating of air emissions from livestock operations, as well as the implications of these emissions for the health and safety of farm workers and neighboring communities.
Fun fact : He loves to hike, ski, and to go tubing with his wife and kids.
Christi Swaggerty
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Dr. Swaggerty received a B.S. in Microbiology and a Ph.D. in Veterinary Microbiology from Texas A&M University. She joined the USDA/ARS in 2001 as part of the Food and Feed Safety Research Unit in College Station, TX. Dr. Swaggerty was selected as the 2011 Early Career Research Scientist of the Year, and is a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Her research is focused on innovative, application-driven approaches employing an immunological approach to enhance the safety, security, and wholesomeness of the U.S. food supply.
Fun fact : She recently bought a motorhome and looks forward to going RVing and tailgating.
chengbo yang
University of Manitoba
Dr. Chengbo Yang is an Associate Professor in Livestock Nutrition and Nutritional Biochemistry in the Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba. Dr. Yang obtained his Ph.D. in monogastric animal nutrition at the University of Guelph in 2011. He joined the University of Manitoba in 2016 after several years of working in the industry. He is conducting research in the area of gut health and nutrient utilization relevant to nonruminants. He has acquired about 9.0 million dollars in research funding as PI and co-PI from NSERC, Canada Foundation for Innovation, USDA, Swine Cluster III, and other agencies. He currently serves as an editorial board member for three journals including the Canadian Journal of Animal Science. He served on the Canadian Society of Animal Science Executive committee (Membership Chair/Western Director). He has provided training to total 50 HQPs including high school students, undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research associates, and published 80 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Dr. Yang received with 2018 Canadian Society of Animal Science Young Scientist Award, 2018 Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Awards for Natural Sciences and 2019 Merit Award in Research, Scholarly Work and Creative Activities at the University of Manitoba.
My hobbies are table tennis, golf and basketball.
Jefo's Team
Jean Fontaine
Founder and President
Jean Fontaine has built a worldwide reputation for this dynamism, great sense of innovation, visionary talent and tenacity. After finishing his bachelor’s degree in animal science, Jean Fontaine worked in the Canadian feed industry before founding Jefo in 1982. Jefo now offers innovative solutions in more than 50 countries. Mr. Fontaine is a well-known figure in the feed additive industry. In recent years, he acted as keynote speaker, president of honour for important agricultural events and award recipient. In 2019, Jean Fontaine received a Doctorat Honoris Causa from the University of Montreal for his pioneering vision of animal nutrition, his contribution to the agribusiness and his community engagement.
Fun fact : Coming soon.
Elizabeth santin
Vice President Applied Scientific Curiosity
For 15 years, Dr. Santin had been a Professor of Poultry Pathology at the Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil. She completed her DVM at the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria and PhD at the Universidade de São Paulo. She was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California in Immunology and Nutrition. Dr. Santin has been actively engaged in research in the fields of gastrointestinal health and microbiology applied to poultry production. She joined the Jefo team in 2019 as Research & Product Development Advisor. Today she is the Vice President of Applied Scientific Curiosity.
Fun fact : As a student, Elizabeth dreamed of hiking and discussing with scientific authors that had inspired her to pursue studies in physiology and immunology.
Emilie Fontaine
Vice President Brand & Products
Emilie Fontaine obtained her B.Sc. in Agricultural Science from McGill University (2007) followed by a D.E.S.S. in Communication and Marketing from HEC Montreal (2016). She joined the Jefo team in 2007 as a Sales representative for dairy and equine markets, but soon found her way to the administrative board where she became Director of Marketing and Regulatory Affairs in 2010. She currently leads a team of +15 professionals, in addition to consulting partners and other service suppliers, to ensure brand coherence and strengthen the Jefo experience concept. Emilie was also in charge of Jefo’s new visual identity, the Jefo Campus design and the Employer Brand project. Today, Emilie is Vice President Brand & Products
Fun fact : Emilie wanted to be a veterinarian, but she couldn’t deal with sick animals. Instead she opted to be nutritionist. She loves horses a little too much, as she owns 5 of them.
ludovic Lahaye
ASC Director – Monogastrics
Ludovic Lahaye studied Biology & Animal Productions at University of Rennes I, in France before obtaining his Ph.D. degree in Animal Nutrition from Ecole Nationale Superieure Agronomique de Rennes (AGROCAMPUS OUEST). He is the current ASC Director – Monogastrics for Jefo managing the monogastric team in charge of R&D on new products, new applications as well as on current products related to monogastric species and providing technical support to the Jefo Sales teams as well as to the Jefo distributors network.
Fun fact : Ludovic has three kids, each one born in a different country. Their names are typical from the region they were born (Nils from Sweden, Enora from France, and Willian from Canada)
Jean-Daniel Bunod
Scientific and Technical Researcher
Jean-Daniel Bunod studied in France at University of Haute-Alsace, in Agronomy and Bioscience and obtained an Engineer diploma in Biochemistry at INSA Lyon. His last year was shared within Laval University at Quebec City, where he studied Biotechnology and started as a trainee at Agriculture & Agrifood Canada. Presently Technical and Scientific Researcher at Jefo, he has spent 20 years in the Jefo team developing new formulations, creating prototypes and helping in the Innovation and Development endeavour of Precision Intestinal Nutrition mission of Jefo.
Fun fact : JD joined Jefo as a graphic designer trainee. One day, Jean Fontaine called him and offered « a lifetime job ». After 20 years of service and 500 prototypes produced, JD knows that Jefo’s president was not kidding.
Béatrice Hamel
Innovation & Development Coordinator
Miss Hamel earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and her Masters in Animal Nutrition from Laval University in Quebec, Canada. Her project focused on sow and piglets’ nutrition and performance in maternity house. She worked at her alma mater as a teaching and research assistant for two years before joining Jefo in August 2020. She is ASC – Assistant Coordinator and has mainly been working in poultry (broiler) at CiRAA, St-Hyacinthe.
Fun fact : Béatrice studied one semester in Sweden and brought her bicycle to Canada as a souvenir.
roxann Scott-Delaunay
ASC Coordinator – CIRAA Coordinator
Miss Scott-Delaunay obtained her bachelor degree in animal sciences at Laval University in Quebec. She has a background in commercial ducks and broilers production.She joined Jefo in 2017 as an intern, focusing her internship on welfare and environmental parameters in broilers production. Since 2019, she has been the Research center coordinator-Poultry in St-Hyacinthe.
Fun fact : Roxann loves fishing. Even her cat was named after a fish (Musky).
Glenmer Tactacan
Technical Support Manager
Dr. Glenmer Tactacan received his Bachelor’s (1995) and Master’s degree (2001) in Animal Science at the University of the Philippines in Los, Banos, Laguna Philippines. In 2007, he joined the PhD program of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada where he received his doctorate degree in Animal Science in 2011. His experience involves the management of advanced tools to improve poultry nutrition and health. He is presently working with Jefo as part of the company’s I&D and international technical service team.
Fun fact : If Glenmer had to eat only one food for the rest of his life, it would be rice.
Mariana Lemos de moraes
Technical Support Manager – Poultry & Swine
Dr. Moraes obtained her DVM and Masters in Swine nutrition from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. She completed her PhD in poultry nutrition at the same university with a year internship at University of California, Davis. She joined Jefo as Technical Services Manager, focusing her work on nutritional and gut health solutions for monogastric animals. Since 2018, she is Technical Services Director – LATAM – Poultry & Swine.
Fun fact : A perfect weekend for Mariana includes: riding her horse, barbecue, happy hour on the beach, tennis, wine, dulce de leche, family & friends.
Marcia De Souza vieira
Technical Specialist Poultry & Swine
Dr. Vieira obtained her Animal Scientist and Masters in Monogastric nutrition from the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She completed her PhD in Monogastric nutrition at the Universidade Federal do rio Grande do Sul with a year internship at Auburn University, Alabama. She joined Jefo in 2018 as Technical Services Specialist – LATAM – Poultry and Swine, focusing her work on nutritional and gut health solutions for monogastric animals.
Fun fact : When Marcia was a teen, she could only start doing her domestic tasks at home if she was wearing a very red lipstick.
Vision
A healthier circle of life
on a more sustainable planet.
Mission
To envision, develop and share
the next era of precision nutrition.
