Engineering, animal health researchers receive Early Career Research Awards

Two researchers from the University of Waterloo and the University of Guelph have been awarded a combined $110,000 through the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation's (LRIC) Early Career Research Award (ECRA) program, highlighting the value of bringing diverse expertise together to solve challenges facing Ontario's livestock sector.

Waterloo’s Dr. Veronika Magdanz receives $80,000 to advance a novel reproductive technology designed to improve artificial insemination outcomes, with the remaining $30,000 going to Dr. Heather Murphy of the Ontario Veterinary College to support research examining the transmission of waterborne pathogens in shared water systems and the implications for livestock health.

The announcement was made at the recent LRIC Symposium and annual meeting in Elora.

Magdanz is the first recipient from the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Engineering, marking an important milestone in the ongoing partnership between the university and LRIC that was established to connect engineering expertise with agricultural challenges and encourage innovative approaches to livestock production.

"One of LRIC's strengths is bringing together people and disciplines that might not otherwise work together," says Kelly Somerville, CEO of Livestock Research Innovation Corporation. "Veronika's project demonstrates the potential that exists when engineering expertise is applied to livestock production challenges, while Heather's research addresses important questions around animal health and biosecurity. Both projects have the potential to create meaningful cross-sector impacts."

Magdanz's research is focused on helping improve the success of artificial insemination. Current breeding programs often require precise timing and can be limited by how long sperm remain viable, so her team is developing tiny magnetic capsules that protect sperm and help keep them viable longer after insemination.

Murphy, a Tier II Canada Research Chair in One Health at the University of Guelph, is investigating how waterborne pathogens move through shared water systems and the implications for livestock health.

Her research explores transmission pathways between livestock, wildlife and the environment and supports development of actions to strengthen animal health, biosecurity and disease prevention.

The ECRA is supported by LRIC, Grand River Agricultural Society, Western Fair Association, the Ontario Agricultural College and the Ontario Veterinary College and is open to participants in LRIC’s early career mentorship program working on innovative, cross-sectoral and cross-disciplinary research.

Don Gordon, representing Dairy Farmers of Ontario, was elected to serve another year as chair. Sonya Fiorini from Burnbrae is the new vice chair and treasurer, and Jim White was elected to the secretary position. Dr. Mazyar Fallah, vice-president (research and innovation) at the University of Guelph, joined the board as a new ex-officio board member.

"Research and innovation remain critical to the future competitiveness and sustainability of Ontario's livestock sector," says Gordon. "LRIC plays an important role in connecting people, identifying priorities and supporting research that delivers value across the livestock value chain. I look forward to working with our board and partners as we continue building on that work."

Established in 2012, LRIC provides leadership in livestock research and innovation by identifying priorities, strengthening networks and helping coordinate research efforts across the sector. The organization is funded in part by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative supporting competitiveness, innovation and resiliency in Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector.