Professor
College of Agricultural & Life Sciences | Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences
Hometown: Belgium
I grew up on a dairy farm and was a first-generation college student in Belgium. I came to the U.S. in 1985 and completed a PhD in ruminant nutrition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After 10 years of international dairy extension work, I took a faculty position in the Department of Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. My disciplinary research focuses on the environmental effects of dairy farms and in particular the carbon and nitrogen losses to the environment associated with feeding strategies.
I am very interested in assessment of sustainability and how the sustainable development goals (SDG) can serve as a guide help us make sound sustainability-related decisions.
I have a passion for teaching and have received multiple teaching awards. I have gained an international reputation as an educator because of this dedication and passion to empower students through critical thinking. I have taken students for a two-week program in Mexico annually for almost 20 years. It is very demanding but also one of the most rewarding professional activities for me!
Presentations can also be offered in Spanish or French.
Talks:
Sustainable Dairy Farming in Wisconsin and Around the World
Dairy farming is not just about milk. There is a lot more to dairy farming than you may think. In this talk you will learn how dairy contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Learning About Mexico-US Relation Through a short-term Study Abroad Program Focused on Agriculture
In this presentation you will learn what UW-Madison students from diverse majors have said about their experience traveling in Central Mexico in a two-week program.