Eduardo de Souza Ribeiro Position/Title: Associate Professor email: eribeiro@uoguelph.ca Phone: (519) 824-4120 Ext. 56516 Office: ANNU 137 Google Scholar Research Gate

Meet Eduardo ( 60 second OAC video )

Eduardo de Souza Ribeiro is originally from São Joaquim-SC, a small agricultural town located in southern Brazil. He grew up on a family farm, where his interest in food animals and agriculture began. In 2004, he started his studies in the School of Veterinary Medicine at Santa Catarina State University. During his undergraduate studies, he was actively involved with research in embryology and developed a passion for science and reproductive biology. In 2009, he was accepted into the graduate program of the Department of Animal Sciences at University of Florida. His master’s thesis focused on reproductive physiology and management of lactating dairy cows. Upon completion of his M.Sc. degree in 2011, he started a Ph.D. in Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology at University of Florida, which was completed in 2015. His doctoral dissertation focused on molecular features in the ovary and uterus associated with fertility in dairy cattle. He joined the Department of Animal Biosciences at the University of Guelph in January 2016 as Assistant Professor in Reproductive Health and Physiology, and was ranked Associate Professor in July 2020. His appointment is divided in research, teaching, and service. 

Academic History

• Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine, Santa Catarina State University, Brazil (2008)
• Master of Science in Animal Sciences, University of Florida, USA (2011)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida, USA (2015)

Affiliations and Partnerships

• American Dairy Science Association
• Society for the Study of Reproduction
• Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council
• Canadian Society of Animal Science

Awards and Honours

• List of 100 most highly cited papers published in the Journal of Dairy Science (2022)
• Journal of Dairy Science Highly‐Cited Award (2019)
• Sigma Xi Graduate Research Award (2016)
• Award of Excellence for Graduate Research presented by the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida (2015)
• Richard M. Hoyt Memorial Award presented by the National Milk Producers Federation and American Dairy Science Association (2014)

Research Impact

Using a holistic approach that combines state-of-the-art basic science with applied research, Eduardo’s research examines the problem of subfertility in cattle at all levels of organization, from farm enterprise to cow to tissue to cell to gene. His research has improved our understanding of the molecular control of embryonic development in the cow, pinpointed postpartum diseases and anovulation as major causes of subfertility plaguing dairy cattle throughout the world, established target supplementation of somatotropin as a strategy to improve embryonic survival in lactating dairy cows, and tested novel reproductive programs for dairy herds. Current research projects in Eduardo’s laboratory continue to investigate key events in dairy cattle reproductive biology and postpartum health that ultimately contribute for the success of transition management, production efficiency, pregnancy establishment and survival to term. Research findings are then translated to the development and application of management strategies in commercial herds aiming to optimize sustainability of dairy production.

Research Team

Current members

• Ivan Isaias Avalos Rosario - PhD student (October 2022 - current)
• Amanda Simone Martins - MSc student (May 2024 - current)
• Angie Gelfand - MSc student (September 2024 - current)
• Alicia Bohren - MSc student ( September 2024 - current)

Past members

• Murilo Carvalho - MSc student (September 2016 - August 2018) 
• Elvis Ticiani - PhD visiting student (September 2017 - August 2018) 
• José Felipe Warmling Sprícigo - Postdoctoral fellow (November 2017 - July 2019)
• Kristina King - MSc student (September 2018 - December 2019) 
• Lori Ogilvie - MSc student (May 2019 - August 2021) 
• Bruna Mion - PhD candidate (September 2018 - August 2022) 
• Bryn Van Winters - MSc student (September 2020 - January 2023)
• Matheus Santos - MSc student (September 2021 - August 2023)
• Nicholas Antonacci - MSc student (September 2021 - August 2023)
• Ana Paula Silva - Visiting PhD student (January 2023 - December 2023)
• Dr. Walmir Silva - Visiting researcher (February 2023 - December 2023)
• Guilherme Madureira - PhD student (September 2020 - August 2024)

Prospective Graduate Student Information

Students in Eduardo’s research group are expected to work as a team and to take advantage of the wide range of research topics in his program. Students have the opportunity to learn and to gain experience in many aspects of reproductive biology and animal production, ranging from molecular work in the laboratory to applied research in commercial herds and interaction with producers and industry partners. Eduardo maintains an environment of open communication and constant mentorship with his students. He plays an active role during early stages of training and expects greater independence and critical thinking during the progression of the program. The academic training emphasizes learning of scientific methods and statistics, and students are expected to publish their research findings in scientific journals and to present the results at scientific meetings and extension events.

Featured Publications

• Santos et al. (2024) Use of rumination time in health risk assessment of prepartum dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 107: 8343-8365.
• Madureira et al. (2024) Endometrial responsiveness to interferon-tau and its association with subsequent reproductive performance in dairy heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 107: 7371-7391.
• Mion et al. (2023) Effects of source of supplementary trace minerals in pre- and postpartum diets on reproductive biology and performance in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 106: 5074-5095.
• Ogilvie et al. (2023) Effect of replacing inorganic salts of trace minerals with organic trace minerals in the diet of prepartum cows on quality of colostrum and immunity of newborn calves. J. Dairy Sci. 2023; 106: 3493-3508.

For a full list of Eduardo’s publications, please visit his Google Scholar page.