I am a fresh Assistant Professor at the College of Agriculture - California State University, Chico. At Chico State, I am engaged on undergraduate education and welfare research. Find out more about it on my research page.
My professional journey
In 2018, I was declared a Doctor in Animal Biology at University of California, Davis - the top Agricultural School in the world, according to some ranks. I conducted my PhD with Dr. Cassandra Tucker at the Center for Animal Welfare in collaboration with Dr. Karin Schütz from AgResearch, New Zealand. My doctorate training focused on mitigation of heat stress in dairy cows – an important welfare and economic concern for this industry, especially in California. My PhD work addressed how to identify dairy cattle experiencing high heat load, and how to optimize cooling strategies for lactating cows. My research used behavior and physiology to better understand the relationships among cooling resources, weather and welfare, while seeking for more sustainable ways to do it.
I concluded my Master's degree in 2012 under the supervision of Dr. Luiz Carlos Pinheiro Machado Filho at Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. My MSc thesis focused on the social behavior of dairy cattle. This work that was done in collaboration with Drs. Nina von Keyserlingk and Dan Weary at the Animal Welfare program (University of British Columbia, Canada) - a international reference on dairy cattle welfare. I also have worked with Dr. Jose Repetto at the Universidad de la Republica in Uruguay (Montevideo). The decision about joining a Masters' program came after working with Dr. Pinheiro Machado Filho for over a year in a extension project. That year, I had the opportunity to work with small dairy farmers that were transitioning from conventional to agroecologic farming systems at my home state. At that time, I received an offer to work as an Extension Agent for a Brazilian public institution, but I declined it. I realized I wanted to pursue advanced training on animal welfare.
My academic journey started when I was on my first year at the Veterinary School in Brazil (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul). I spent a few semesters working on food safety research at the CEPETEC. However, soon I shift my interest towards animal care and sustainability. My first independent research project was mentored by Dr. Cesar Avancini. The main objective was to find alternative solutions to control mastitis in cattle using phytotherapic extracts. For this work I received two awards as the best undergraduate oral presentation among other students from the same field.
While working on research and extension projects, I also have been involved in education. In 2012, I taught Animal Anatomy and Physiology classes for Animal Science majors at Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil). At UC Davis, I have taught Introduction to Biology laboratories for a wide range of students on campus. I also have assisted Dr. Tucker on her Domestic Animal Behavior laboratory course. At Chico State, I am the lead instructor for a variety of courses that focus on dairy production, animal health, behavior and welfare.
Click here to read my most-recent publications.
My professional journey
In 2018, I was declared a Doctor in Animal Biology at University of California, Davis - the top Agricultural School in the world, according to some ranks. I conducted my PhD with Dr. Cassandra Tucker at the Center for Animal Welfare in collaboration with Dr. Karin Schütz from AgResearch, New Zealand. My doctorate training focused on mitigation of heat stress in dairy cows – an important welfare and economic concern for this industry, especially in California. My PhD work addressed how to identify dairy cattle experiencing high heat load, and how to optimize cooling strategies for lactating cows. My research used behavior and physiology to better understand the relationships among cooling resources, weather and welfare, while seeking for more sustainable ways to do it.
I concluded my Master's degree in 2012 under the supervision of Dr. Luiz Carlos Pinheiro Machado Filho at Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. My MSc thesis focused on the social behavior of dairy cattle. This work that was done in collaboration with Drs. Nina von Keyserlingk and Dan Weary at the Animal Welfare program (University of British Columbia, Canada) - a international reference on dairy cattle welfare. I also have worked with Dr. Jose Repetto at the Universidad de la Republica in Uruguay (Montevideo). The decision about joining a Masters' program came after working with Dr. Pinheiro Machado Filho for over a year in a extension project. That year, I had the opportunity to work with small dairy farmers that were transitioning from conventional to agroecologic farming systems at my home state. At that time, I received an offer to work as an Extension Agent for a Brazilian public institution, but I declined it. I realized I wanted to pursue advanced training on animal welfare.
My academic journey started when I was on my first year at the Veterinary School in Brazil (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul). I spent a few semesters working on food safety research at the CEPETEC. However, soon I shift my interest towards animal care and sustainability. My first independent research project was mentored by Dr. Cesar Avancini. The main objective was to find alternative solutions to control mastitis in cattle using phytotherapic extracts. For this work I received two awards as the best undergraduate oral presentation among other students from the same field.
While working on research and extension projects, I also have been involved in education. In 2012, I taught Animal Anatomy and Physiology classes for Animal Science majors at Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil). At UC Davis, I have taught Introduction to Biology laboratories for a wide range of students on campus. I also have assisted Dr. Tucker on her Domestic Animal Behavior laboratory course. At Chico State, I am the lead instructor for a variety of courses that focus on dairy production, animal health, behavior and welfare.
Click here to read my most-recent publications.
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Education:
Ph.D., Animal Biology
University of California, Davis, USA, 2018 Emphasis in Animal Behavior and Stress Physiology M.Sc., Agroecosystems Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil, 2012 Emphasis in Animal Behavior and Welfare D.V.M. School of Veterinary Medicine Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil, 2008 |
Research partners (past and current):
Professional proficiency certificates:
Professional associations:
- Center for Animal Welfare, University of California, Davis
- Laboratorio de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-estar animal (LETA), Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- AgResearch, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Facultad de Veterinaria (Veterinary School), Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay
- Setor de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva (Preventive Veterinary Medicine), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Centro de Pesquisa, Extensão e Tecnologia em Carnes (Meat Science), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Professional proficiency certificates:
- Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization - Dairy, Animal Welfare Auditing
- UC Davis, Center for Educational Effectiveness - College teaching
Professional associations:
- ISAE - International Society for Applied Ethology (since 2011)
- ADSA - American Dairy Science Association (since 2012)
- DCWC - Dairy Cattle Welfare Council (since 2019)
- NACTA - North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (since 2019)
- CRMV/SC - Santa Catarina's Regional Council of Veterinary Medicine (2009 - 2012)
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I do what I do because I love it!
For the animals, for the people, and for the planet.
Helping the animals to have better lives has always been a priority in my life. First, I thought the best way to do that was practicing veterinary medicine. However, very soon on my career, I realized that most of the problems that farm animals face are related to the environment where they live. This encouraged me to go beyond the traditional (clinics-surgery) approach and get advanced training in animal welfare. Fortunately, I have met and worked with many successful people that are carving similar paths. Today I cannot think about any other way to achieve my goals than doing what I do.
Understanding husbandry practices and their relationship with animals, farmers and the environment, and having an open discussion with all stakeholders are key to improve animal welfare. In addition, to make our world long-lasting, I believe we have to make agriculture in a way we balance our natural resources, we respect animals and human well-being. In addition to animal welfare research, I am also training the next generation of ag professionals that can promote the changes in the field.
Understanding husbandry practices and their relationship with animals, farmers and the environment, and having an open discussion with all stakeholders are key to improve animal welfare. In addition, to make our world long-lasting, I believe we have to make agriculture in a way we balance our natural resources, we respect animals and human well-being. In addition to animal welfare research, I am also training the next generation of ag professionals that can promote the changes in the field.
Cheers, Grazyne Tresoldi
(grä-zĭn tre-sōl-dĭ)
(grä-zĭn tre-sōl-dĭ)
