Dr. Ghader Manafiazar

Education:

• Ph.D. Quantitative Genetics/Genomics – University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
• MSc. Genetics and Animal Breeding – Tehran University, Tehran, Iran
• B.Sc., Animal Products Engineering - University of Ahvaz (Shahid Charman), Ahvaz, Iran
• A.S., Animal Products Technology- Kurdistan University, Sanandaj, Iran

Teaching:

ANSC 2007, Beef Production and Management

Research interest:

Ghader’s research is mainly focused on feed efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and fitness traits in livestock using innovative techniques such as nutrition, genetics/genomics, and machine learning. Ghader aims to optimize the profitability of the livestock industry in a sustainable approach through interdisciplinary research projects. Ghader has high motivation to get engage with industry partners to better understand their issues.

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

• Head of judging committee; 2015-2017; Livestock Gentec Conference, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CA
• Coordinator assistant; 2011-2014; Western Canadian Dairy Seminar, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
•  Member of orientation committee; 2010-2013; Agriculture, food and nutritional science department (AFNS), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
• Vice president; 2010-2013; Azerbaijani cultural student association, Edmonton, Alberta
• Gym Volunteer; 2010-2012; Michener Park Residency, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta

LANGUAGES

English, Farsi, and Azerbaijani (mother tongue)

Summary of work experience:

• Assistant Professor; Dalhousie University, Since July 2020.
• Industry Research and Development Associate; BeefBooster Inc.  Since June 2015.
• Research Associate; University of Alberta. 2018-2020.
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow; University of Alberta. 2013-2017.
• Research Assistant; University of Alberta. 2009-2013.
• Research Scientist; West Azarbaijan Agriculture Research Center. 2003-2013.

List of research project in the past 10 years:

• Since Jun. 2020; Co-lead; Investigating Use of Machine Learning Algorithms to Classify Beef Cows for Feed Efficiency and Stayability: $314 K
• Since Apr. 2018; Co-investigator; Genetic Analysis of Feed Intake, Feed Efficiency, Female Fertility, and Cow Lifetime Productivity in Beef Cattle Raised Under Two Environments: $3.7 M
• 2017-2020; Co-lead; Optimizing Heterozygosity in Composite and Cross Bred Beef Population Using Genetic and Genomic Tools; $414 K
• 2016-2019; Co-investigator; gGreenBeefCow: Identifying and Evaluating Genomic and Fecal Microbiome Markers for Low Methane Emissions in Beef Cattle. $1.7 M
• 2014-2017; Co-investigator; Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle Bred for Low Residual Feed Intake; $2.5M
• 2015-2017; Lead Incorporating Genomic Information to Improve Carcass Quality and Reproduction Traits in Beef Cattle. $170K
• 2015-2017; postdoctoral project; Optimizing Feed Intake Record and Efficiency Measures in Beef Cattle. $250K
• 2009-2013; PhD research project; Investigation of Residual Feed Intake in Dairy Cattle

List of other research projects

• 2008; Co-investigator; Determination of Suitable Areas for Cattle and Buffalo Crossbreeding in West Azerbaijan Province of Iran, WA, Iran
• 2007; Co-investigator; Study of West Azerbaijan Buffalo Situation in Recently Years (from 2000 to 2008), WA, Iran
• 2006; Co-investigator; Effect of Kappa-Casein and Beta Lactoglobulin Loci on Milk Production Traits in Golpayegani Cattle Breed. WA, Iran
• 2005-2006; Co-investigator; Comparison Growth and Carcass Traits of Commercial Broiler Strains in Iran. WA, Iran
• 2004-2008; Co-investigator; Study of Ruminal Parameters in Buffalo Calves with In vivo, In vitro and In situ Methods. WA, Iran
• 2004-2007; Co-investigator; Study of Iranian Buffalo Breeds Variation with Microsatellite Markers, WA, Iran
• 2004-2007; Co-investigator; Determination Nutritive Value of Grape Residual and Its Use on Buffalo Calves Fattening, WA, Iran
• 2004; Co-investigator; Comparison Economical Fattening Performance of Buffalo, Native and Crossbred (Holstein*Native) Calves. WA, Iran
• 1999-2002; MSc project; Crossbreeding of tailed (Zel) and fat-tailed (Chall and Zandi)  sheep breeds with focus on growth performance and carcass quality traits; University of Tehran