A University of Guelph researcher who will focus her research on one of the most important pathogens in small ruminant livestock is the winner of this year’s Early Career Research Award from the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC).
Dr. Emma Borkowski received her award at LRIC’s annual symposium on June 1. She will receive $70,000 to help fund her research into controlling gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) in small ruminants, specifically sheep and goats. The pathogen causes severe disease and death in sheep and goats, as well as significant financial losses for producers because of decreased growth, and wool and milk production in affected animals.
Existing treatments for GINs focus on medications, but only two products are licensed in Canada for sheep and none at all for goats. As well, resistance to those existing treatments is a growing problem. Many farmers are turning to indoor housing to control gastrointestinal nematodes, a move that is more costly and less sustainable than grazing small ruminants on pasture. Borkowski’s research will focus on understanding and leveraging natural immune responses for GIN control, including being able to breed for better immunity.
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The Early Career Research Award is funded by LRIC, Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS), Western Fair Association (WFA), Ontario Agricultural College and Ontario Veterinary College. It was first launched last year and is designed to encourage cross-sectoral and cross-disciplinary approaches to livestock research.
The award is available to faculty from the University of Guelph who are participants in LRIC’s Early Career Mentorship Program.
