Internationally renowned animal nutritionist, Dr Jos Houdijk, has been awarded a professorship in animal nutrition and health by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), recognising how his “fundamental research” has advanced scientific understanding of the links between nutritional stress and how livestock cope with disease.
Now head of SRUC’s recently formed Monogastric Science Research Centre, where a team of 30 are studying issues linked to nutrition in pigs and poultry, Dr Houdijk (pictured above) was acclaimed during his graduation as being one of Europe’s leading livestock nutritionists.
He was also praised for his work in relation to protein nutrition advances in both sheep and pig production with SRUC’s vice principal, Professor Geoff Simm, commenting that his research into protein nutrition for weaner pigs had contributed to industry trends to reduce total protein levels in pig diets.
The new professor’s “great ability to engage with farmers and the agri-industry” was also acknowledged, alongside his commitment to introduce children to the excitement of science by way of his participation at festivals and other events under the pseudonym, Dr Poo.
It was also stated that published papers by Dr Houdijk have been cited almost 1500 times by other researchers across the world while his reputation has so far helped secure over £6m in research grants.