What is my role at EFFAB: I’m the director; someone has to 😉

My educational background:. From I can remember I love cows and my interest and love for animals was growing up during my teenage. Passion for farming and nature led me reasonably to study Agriculture Sciences in Madrid and I become a bioengineer with a master in reproduction and breeding. I have 20 years of experience in semen production and European policy related to sustainable animal breeding and farming. 

My favourite activity when I am not working:  Many basic things; reading, running, walking, visiting places and travelling, listening radio (better in Spanish)... However, my favourite one is spending time with my teenagers and friends.

My favourite European science area: I don’t know, I’m a scientist. Science is everywhere and I like it. I’m more and more interested on social and animal science cross-cutting issues. 

What is my role at EFFAB: I lead EFFAB’s participation in European Projects and their knowledge exchange and transfer to the relevant sector actors, mainly European breeding companies. I coordinate the work carried out in Communication, Dissemination and Training tasks in EFFAB projects within EFFAB and consortiums.

My educational background: I am a Veterinarian with a PhD on Agricultural Economics and Policies.

My favourite activity when I am not working: My passion is photography and I like styling and shooting fashion and food photos. I also love reading books mostly crime and sci-fi.

What have I learned about animal breeding that I didn’t know before I started here: Animal breeding could support addressing many of the societal concerns and environmental impact of animal production. Responsible and balanced breeding is a very important tool for improving animal welfare and health. However, it should be better communicated to the different levels of the society.

My favourite European science area: New genomic technologies and precision breeding tools.

What is my role at EFFAB: As a Research and Innovation Officer, I work on the CODE EFABAR for the implementation of good practices among the different members together with the policy team. I also work with the FABRE TP and EFFAB members for the coordination of the gene-editing network

My educational background: I was always interested in Science, Technology, and Human interaction and was not sure where to go when I was younger. After an internship in a breeding company, I realised that was the best sector, and therefore went to study Agricultural Science and Technology in Mauritius and then Animal Breeding and Genetics at the Universität für Bodenkultur, Wien. This sector seems to be so narrow and focused, but it is in my opinion the best inter-disciplinary sector–we get to learn people's culture, perspectives and social interaction to animal breeding, genomics and welfare. So much to learn!

My favourite activity when I am not working: I love to cook and bake for my friends and family. I enjoy making Indian and Mauritian dishes and cheesecake. I love a good trip to the beach, mountains and camping and weekly outdoor games at the park or board game/video games on rainy days or stay-in nights with my partner.

What have I learned about animal breeding that I didn’t know before I started here: The amount of work being done in general regarding animal welfare and how far it went.

My favourite European science area: I have to say that aside of agricultural and animal science, I have a pet peeve for animal behaviour based on environmental/social interaction-how do they adapt or react to changes or situations with their peers or other animals. I do also love programming; I try to learn R at home for statistics and genomic analysis.

What is my role at EFFAB: In EFFAB I work as a projects manager, which means that I am involved in the communication and dissemination of the results that are generated by the European projects that we are involved in. I provide assistance in the organizing of webinars, brochures, and all other materials that increase the uptake of the important knowledge that is produced!

My educational background: As a young girl, I grew up around animals and especially horses. As an avid horse girl, it was then and there that I decided that I wanted to pursue a degree in which I could work with my passion for animals. I obtained a bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry with a focus on Equine Science, followed by a Master’s Degree in Animal Sciences specialised in Genetics and Biodiversity. I am keen to bridge the gap between science and the broader public, and that is what I would love to use my knowledge on!

My favourite activity when I am not working: When I am not working, I love to take care of my plants (I have too many, people say) or go for a walk in nature. I also love to read, preferably when cuddling my cat. Hopefully, in the future I can fill my free time again with horses 😊

What have I learned about animal breeding that I didn’t know before I started here: Before working at EFFAB, I had no idea of how interconnected animal breeding and genetics companies and research facilities are. It is wonderful to see how European institutes and organisations are jointly working together on a better future for everyone.

My favourite European science area: Functional annotation! I think it is amazing to see how we learn more about genomes every day. Furthermore, it is not only learning more; we can also use this information to improve the health and welfare of our animals and their opportunities to adapt to changing environments.

What is your role at EFFAB: I am currently working on different policy initiatives at the EU level, such as animal welfare, animal health and the overall sustainability of food systems by representing the animal breeding sector and interests.

My educational background: I studied Political Science at the Universidade do Minho in Braga, Portugal.

My favourite activity when I am not working: In my free time, I enjoy the simple things in life, like socializing with friends and family, reading and consuming all sorts of media. But, I would have to admit that my favorite activity when I'm not working is probably going on vacation!

What I have learned about animal breeding that I didn’t know before I started at EFFAB: My knowledge of animal breeding was narrow and limited to the general ideal, before starting at EFFAB, since then I've managed to grasp some pretty interesting topics, such as feed efficiency or disease resistance.

My favourite European science area: I would have to say Economics is probably the one I find most interesting.

 

What is my role at EFFAB: As a Creative Communications Officer, my main task is to support the communication strategies with graphics, videos, photos and everything related to design, as well as the management of our websites and online presence.

My educational background: when I was younger I wanted to become an Architect because I was amazed by how humans interact with spaces, but later I discovered that I wanted to create and experiment in many more fields: drawing, photography, writing, filming... So I studied Media & Communication and an MA in Art & Technology. Creativity needs feeding and growing, so I’m learning UX design in order to merge all my interests and skills and to keep on delivering a better communication.

My favourite activity when I am not working: I love photography, cinema, eating out (and also cooking in!) and hanging out with my friends. And I want to travel more and more!

What have I learned about animal breeding that I didn’t know before I started here: I didn’t know much about animal breeding, so I’m in fact learning every day. The most important thing that I’ve learned so far is that animal breeding seeks for sustainability and animal welfare and that science is crucial to achieve these goals.

My favourite European science area: Artificial Intelligence! I’m both excited and scared, because the possibilities in creativity are almost limitless, but perhaps a machine is going to take over my job!