The University of Guelph is pleased to welcome two research scientists from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), supporting the continued advancement of Canadian meat and food research.
This new collaboration will support research on Canadian food safety, food quality and food sovereignty while advancing U of G’s vision to serve as a national hub for agri-food innovation.
Across a two-year term, Drs. Óscar López-Campos and Nuria Prieto, two national carcass merit and meat quality experts, will continue work that began at the AAFC Lacombe Research and Development Centre, a federal facility in Alberta, using the world-class strength, expertise and facilities at the Ontario Agricultural College.
The interchange collaboration reflects a shared commitment between U of G and AAFC to guarantee that Canada’s food systems remain safe, secure and globally competitive.
Dr. Óscar López-Campos is a livestock carcass merit and market competitiveness scientist. His research program focuses on identifying measuring, prioritizing and utilizing objective and subjective carcass merit assessments and attributes of economic importance. This work promotes the development, adaptation and competitiveness of the whole meat value chain in Canada.
Dr. Nuria Prieto is a meat quality and sensory evaluation research scientist. Dr. Prieto conducts research to assist the Canadian meat industry with their current vision of determining points of product differentiation, without additional costs for packers and retailers. This is a strategy toward increasing national and international competitiveness. Her work also aims to produce value-added meat from agriculturally important livestock species such as cattle.
Canadian food quality, safety and sovereignty focus of research
This vitally important research directly benefits Canadian producers, processors and consumers by ensuring confidence in the safety and integrity of Canada’s food supply, particularly the long-term credibility of Canadian meat quality systems.
“I am personally delighted to welcome Drs. López-Campos and Prieto to the University of Guelph,” says Dr. John Cranfield, dean, OAC. “The University is proud to be a trusted partner in this nationally significant research, and we are excited to provide an environment where it can continue to grow and make an impact.
“Their expertise is vital to Canada’s agri-food system, and I am very much looking forward to having them on campus and seeing the impact of their work for producers, processors and consumers across the country.”
This collaboration builds on Canada’s strong agricultural research foundation, much of which is informed by the expertise and innovation at U of G. Researchers are active in all aspects of agri-food, from animal genetics to food safety to developing AI-based agricultural technologies.
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