Presenter Biographies

Mueez Ahmad

Dr. Mueez Ahmad has been involved with poultry industry since 1983. Dr. Ahmad provided technical services to the US poultry industry during last 30 years. His areas of expertise are broiler, breeder, hatchery and commercial farming. Dr. Ahmad specializes in poultry health, food safety and key performance indicator management. Dr. Ahmad has developed successful antibiotic free and organic production programs during last 10 years.

Kevin Amini

Dr. Kevin Amini practiced poultry medicine privately for 5 years after graduation from vet school. He later completed a one-year post-graduate program in poultry management systems and nutrition in the Netherlands. Then completed a M.Sc degree in poultry nutrition at McGill University followed by a two-year MVetSc program in poultry medicine & pathology and one-year senior residency program in avian pathology at Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan. Then passed board certification exam of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians (ACPV) and worked for CFIA for 4 years. Joined Boehringer Ingelheim in 2017.

Ken Bafundo

Dr. Ken Bafundo received his Ph.D. in poultry nutrition from the University of Illinois where he investigated the effects of coccidial infection on the trace metal status of the growing broiler. In subsequent years, he has been employed by Elanco Animal Health, Pfizer Animal Heath and Phibro Animal Health where he led research programs leading to the approval of several anticoccidials now used in the worldwide poultry industry. He has also been involved in a number of projects dealing with anticoccidials and antimicrobials and has participated in technical services activities throughout North and South America. Dr. Bafundo has published numerous articles on coccidiosis, anticoccidials, antimicrobials and their effects on avian health and nutrition. He is Adjunct Professor at the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center at the University of Georgia, and serves as Associate Editor for Poultry Science and other international poultry publications.

Randy Bagg

Randy Bagg graduated from Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph in 1979. He practiced large animal (bovine) veterinary medicine for fifteen years in Ontario. He has been an employee of Elanco Canada Animal Health, Guelph, ON for the last 23 years. His current position is Director of Regulatory Affairs.

Masoumeh Bejaei

Masoumeh Bejaei, PhD received her B.Sc in Agriculture Studies (Animal Sciences) from University of Tabriz and her first Msc in Animal Nutrition from University of Tehran. She earned her second M.Sc in Animal Science from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and her Ph.D. in Animal Science at UBC. During her tenure as a graduate student at UBC, she was involved with research in developing models for predicting market trends of specialty table eggs, and research to improve ostrich welfare during transportation. Her postdoctoral research was a collaborative project between UBC Avian Research Centre and Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Sustainable Agriculture Program on developing alternative protein sources in laying hen diets. Her research resulted in two Certificates of Excellence in separate presentations at the Poultry Science annual meetings. Currently, she is an affiliate instructor at UBC and a sessional instructor at KPU.

Rob Bell

Dr. Rob Bell was born and raised on a dairy farm in SW Ontario and graduated from Ontario Veterinary College in 1978. He practiced private veterinary medicine in SW Ontario for 25 years, 20 of those years as a practice owner, with a focus on dairy production management and farm economics. From 1992-1997, Rob was a member of the Board of Directors for Ault Foods (Canada’s largest dairy processor at that time). In 2001, he completed his MBA from Athabasca/University of Guelph. Also in 2001, Rob joined Pfizer Animal Health as a technical consultant followed by full-time employment in 2003. From 2009 – 2013, he was Pfizer Canada’s cattle, equine, and genomics unit director. Dr. Bell joined Bio Agri Mix as CEO in October 2013 where he remains to present day. Dr. Bell lives on a small farm in SW Ontario with his wife Brenda and they have two grown children, Caitlin and Adam.

Mike Blair

Dr. Mike Blair received his B.S. in Animal Sciences from Purdue University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Poultry Nutrition from Virginia Tech specializing in turkey nutrition under Dr. Larry Potter. Mike has worked for Central Soya Company, Evonik, Adisseo, in broiler integration, and as a nutritionist for Pilgrim’s. He currently holds the position of Director, Global Antimicrobials for Phibro Animal Health Corporation.

Chris Blosfeld

Chris Blosfeld has 20 years of experience working closely with the poultry and swine industries on every continent to deliver innovative and powerful software solutions for tracking, tracing and improving production. He has also has partnered with industry suppliers including veterinary services, feed mills, hatcheries, processing plants and growers to identify and analyze performance across the entire supply-chain from collaboration through data sharing.

Danielle Botting

Dr. Danielle Botting, DVM, MPH has been working as a technical services veterinarian for Hy-Line North America since graduating from veterinary school in 2014. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in animal and poultry sciences from Virginia Tech and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees from the University of Minnesota. She currently resides in Des Moines, Iowa and spends the majority of her time traveling throughout North America providing veterinary support for commercial layer customers and oversight of production and animal welfare of parent stock flocks and hatchery operations.

Martine Bourgeois

Martine Bourgeois, Agr joined Shur-Gain in 1982 and has spent her whole career with Shur-Gain in nutrition. For the past 20 years, she has successfully led poultry nutrition in East region (Quebec and Atlantic), and has collaborated closely with the R&D team in many development projects. Martine holds a BSc in agriculture (Animal Science) from McGill University and is a very active participant in poultry industry affairs, in addition to managing an award-winning well-diversified family layer operation.

Shawn Carlton

Shawn Carlton began his career at Cobb-Vantress, Inc. in 1994. He has worked in numerous roles throughout his tenure at Cobb. In 1995 he was building and managing Sweet Water Research Farm conducting Cobb’s broiler and breeder trials. In 1997, Bear Hollow Pedigree Farm Assistant Manager overseeing brooding, pullets and farm crews. In 1999 he built and managed Meadows Pedigree Farm. In 2002 he worked as Breeder Specialist World Tech Support managing new products. In 2004 to current, he is in North American Tech Service serving customers in multiple territories including Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Missouri, Pacific Northwest, Texas, Australia/New Zealand and Western Canada.

Kim Cheng

Kim Cheng was appointed full professor in Animal Science in 1996. He has been the Director of the UBC Quail Genetic Resource Centre (1982-2003), Supervisor of the UBC San Rafael Research Aviary (1992-2003), Director of the UBC Avian Research Centre (2004-present), Director of the Agroecology Program (2006-08) and a founding director of the Canadian Farm Animal Genetic Resources Foundation (1994-2011). His research and teaching center on avian genetics and behavioral ecology. He has supervised graduate students in specialty birds production, wildlife conservation and ecology, environmental toxicology, gastrointestinal microbiology, and avian and fish genetics. Kim retired from UBC in 2011 and became Professor Emeritus.

Michelle Coombe

Michelle Coombe is a veterinarian who has been working with the BC Ministry of Agriculture on the avian influenza sediment surveillance project since January 2015. She is currently back in school at the University of British Columbia, for her masters of science in the school of population and public health.

Louis Coulombe

Dr. Louis Coulombe received his veterinary degree (D.V.M.) from the University of Montreal in 1983. After graduation, he practiced and was a co-owner of a mixed practice clinic, practicing mainly bovine and companion animal medicine for 12 years. In 1995, Dr. Coulombe began his career in the pharmaceutical industry by joining Pharmacia & Upjohn Animal Health. During his tenure there, he earned a post-graduate degree (S.S.D.) in Drug Development, Clinical Research Segment from the University of Montreal’s Post-Graduate Studies Faculty (Pharmacy). Then in 2001, Dr. Coulombe began working with Schering-Plough Animal Health Canada, where he expanded upon his expertise in porcine and avian medicine. Dr. Coulombe joined Merial Canada Inc. in June 2007 as Technical Service Veterinarian. Dr. Coulombe provides support to internal & external customers related to the bovine, swine, and poultry products and services. Dr Coulombe lives in St Jean sur Richelieu near the northern portion of Champlain Lake, Quebec.

Bill Cox

After graduating from WCVM, I spent several years working variably in general veterinary practice, graduate studies at OVC, and with the animal health industry. I then moved to the Fraser Valley to concentrate on poultry health which later led me to join the Animal Health Centre from which I retired last year. I now mostly take life easy but still do some consulting with the Fraser Valley poultry industry.

Pierre Desmarais

Pierre Desmarais Agr. earned a B.Sc in Agriculture in 1985 and is a member of l’ordre des agronomes du Québec, the Animal Science Association, and the CPSA. He has field experience in applied agriculture, international experience in agro-pharma product introduction, sales and marketing. Pierre co-founded Biomin Canada in 2002 and is the GM of Biomin Canada to this day.

Lance S. Fox

Dr. Lance Fox grew up working on a small dairy farm in central Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-School of Veterinary Medicine with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1995. After four years of private clinical practice in Wisconsin, Lance became a technical service veterinarian in the dairy feed industry, with an emphasis in calf health and management. He now is the North America Technical Director for DSM Nutritional Products, the world’s largest manufacturer of vitamins (www.dsm.com). On a personal note, Lance enjoys the great outdoors and adventure, having summited Mount Everest in 2009. Since his return from Everest, Lance has written a book titled No Place but UP! This trademarked phrase is also the centerpiece for his motivational presentation, an engagement that allows his audiences to not only experience the climb to the highest point on our planet but also challenge those who dare to dream, as well as overcome life’s obstacles. Amidst public speaking and his day job, he has established the non-profit foundation Healthy Yak. Lance continues the veterinary work he started at the foot of Mount Everest back in 2009, work that has led to improved health and productivity of the animals owned and relied upon by the Sherpa culture deep within the Himalayas of Nepal. Lance lives near New London, WI with his wife Dr. Katherine Fox (also a veterinarian) and their two children.

Blake Gibson

Blake Gibson joined Jones-Hamilton Co. in 1994 as the Territory Manager for the southeastern U.S. and Mexico, and currently serves as the Business Development Manager for Jones-Hamilton. During his 22 years with the company, Blake has become known as the litter management expert among his peers and colleagues. He has conducted extensive field work on litter management and water quality with a focus on the dynamic changes in poultry bedding for multi-cycle use. He works with integrators and producers in the U.S., South and Central America, and Asia to develop critical control points for litter management through proper water line management and ventilation techniques for longer utilization of poultry bedding. Blake holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from Clemson University. Before joining Jones-Hamilton, he worked as a Field Service Representative for Perdue Farms.

Scott Gillingham

Dr. Scott Gillingham, BSc, DVM, Diplomatic ACPV has been in the poultry industry for 30 years. He has travelled the globe, teaching farmers and corporations how to solve the biggest challenges of the world’s fastest growing source of protein. Dr. Gillingham currently holds the position of Canadian Regional Business Consultant at Aviagen Incorporated.

Ben Green

Ben Green began his career at Cobb-Vantress Inc. in 1999. He has worked in numerous roles throughout his tenure at Cobb which include: hatchery manager for two different GP hatchery facilities in Georgia; live production manager in Kentucky; Director of Cobb internal hatcheries in Arkansas with responsibility over 9 hatcheries and technical support to Cobb Grandparent hatcheries in Europe. In 2014, he began working in the world technical group at Cobb as the North American hatchery specialist serving customers across the North American continent in a customer service role.

Martin Rishøj Jensen

Martin has over 30 years of experience with poultry, from farm work to R&D and has been working as an independent consultant for poultry integrators and equipment suppliers with focus on production optimization.

Dirk Lange

Dr. Dirk Lange is an Associate Professor in the Department of Urologic Sciences at UBC. He earned his Ph.D in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario) on understanding the role of the capsular polysaccharide in the pathogenisis of Campylobacter jejuni. Dr. Lange completed his post-doctoral fellowship at The Stone Centre at VGH with Dr. Ben Chew, where he contributed significantly to the area of urinary biomaterial design, providing a basic science perspective to understanding ureteral stent related problems. His research interests and expertise are in the area of urinary biomaterial development to prevent indwelling-device associated infections and encrustation. Together with polymer chemists at UBC, Dr. Lange has developed novel antifouling coatings that are highly effective at preventing bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on a variety of materials, making its utility highly relevant beyond medicine.

Luc Ledoux

Luc Ledoux started his poultry career at Petersime incubators (Belgium) as Sales Manager for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. After 5 years, he worked for GSI/Cumberland as Managing Director Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. He joined CID LINES 18 years ago as Business Unit Manager Americas, Africa and Europe. Working experience in 72 countries on 5 continents. Luc has spoken at 34 poultry seminars around the globe and has written 48 articles on biosecurity. Being a member of the European Poultry Club (EPC) and the International Poultry Council (IPC), Luc’s passion is enhancing prevention and biosecurity in the poultry industry by networking world-wide.

April Levy

April Waguespack Levy is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Louisiana State University and earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in animal and dairy Sciences with a concentration in poultry and swine nutrition. In 2014 she joined DSM as a Technical Support Manager for Poultry where her primary focus is vitamins and enzymes.

Ken Macquisten

Dr. Macquisten graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and started his career at the Aldergrove Veterinary Clinic. Almost two years later he joined Dr. Lon Goodale’s practice and later purchased the Abbotsford Veterinary Hospital portion from him. It was late 1981 that Dr. Macquisten became Abbotsford first full time companion animal veterinarian. In 1989 Dr. Macquisten started Gladwin Veterinary Clinic. After selling the Abbotsford Veterinary Hospital in 1991 and the Gladwin Veterinary Clinic in 1997.Dr. Macquisten explored other aspects of the veterinary profession while raising children Michael, Robert, Steven and Ali with his wife Karen.Pursuing his strong interest and background in animal welfare, wildlife medicine and surgery, Dr. Macquisten started working full time at the Greater Vancouver Zoo in Aldergrove, B.C. and soon became the Director from 1998-2000. Subsequently, in 2001 he initiated the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife in North Vancouver, B.C. and two years later was a founder of the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge in Golden, BC. At the same time Dr. Macquisten returned to private practice in Abbotsford, seeing dogs, cats, birds, wildlife and exotic pets, first at Bakerview Pet Hospital for five years, and then Whatcom Road Veterinary Hospital for nine years. In his spare time, Dr. Macquisten serves as lead veterinarian for the provincial Northern Spotted Owl capture breeding program, and has been a long time member of the Oregon Spotted Frog Recovery Team. Dr. Macquisten is now excited to be practicing with Dr. Drew Hilts at the Townline Veterinary Hospital, and feels privileged to have assisted many of the same clients with their pet’s health for over 3 decades in this community. He is continuing to split his time between serving Abbotsford’s pets and as Managing Director of the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife.

Melissa McLaws

Melissa McLaws has been working at the BC Centre for Disease Control since August. She trained at the Western College for Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan and did further studies in epidemiology at the University of Guelph. Before her current job at the BCCDC, she was based in Italy working as a consultant for the FAO on foot and mouth disease. She is very pleased to be back, and is based in beautiful British Columbia.

Marie-Anne Paradis

Dr. Marie-Anne Paradis obtained her DVM degree from St-Hyacinthe Veterinary College in 1981. She practiced swine veterinary medicine during 2 years with an integrated company in Quebec. In 1983, she joined Elanco Animal Health in a R&D and Technical Service Role. During the first 25 years, her responsibilities were focused on both poultry and swine for the Eastern Canada region. Since 2010, she is now responsible for poultry R&D and technical service across Canada.

Kayla Price

Dr. Kayla Price is currently the Canadian Poultry Technical Manager for Alltech Canada. She provides technical and sales support with additional research responsibilities in Canada. Prior to joining Alltech, Dr. Price completed her Ph.D. at the University of Guelph with a research focus of the environmental influence on live coccidiosis vaccine success in chickens. From this background she gained a passion for poultry intestinal health. The poultry industry is ever-changing and she has strived to share this enthusiasm with others.

Tony Redford

Tony is originally from Kamloops, BC, where he completed his B.Sc in Animal Biology at Thompson Rivers University. He then headed out to Saskatchewan to complete the D.V.M. program at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, and followed that up with graduate studies in anatomic pathology at the WCVM. During his time at the WCVM, he spent five summers studying and working at the Animal Health Centre, until he became an avian pathologist at the AHC this past September.

Anna Rogiewicz

Dr. Anna Rogiewicz earned her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Animal Science from University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland, with research focused on the effect of the mycotoxin contamination in swine feed on health and growth performance, on natural alternatives to antibiotic in swine nutrition, and on the effect of the maternal environment on the reproduction of gilts and boars. Currently she is an Adjunct Professor and Professional Associate in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. She came to Canada in 2006 as an Postdoctoral Fellow to join Dr. Bogdan Slominski’s team at the UofM, where she gained an expertise in poultry nutrition, the nutritional biochemistry and enzyme technology. Anna is involved in research related to the evaluation of the chemical and nutritive characteristics of various feed ingredients (i.e. canola meal, yellow-seeded canola meal, DDGS, yeast products), and to the use of new generation of exogenous enzymes for animal feeds.

Babak Sanei

From 2003- 2011, Dr. Sanei worked as the Extension Poultry Veterinarian in Ontario for 8 years, directly supporting and interacting with the Ontario poultry industry. In 2011, Dr. Sanei moved to Scotland and joined Aviagen UK and its veterinary department team. Since 2013, Babak has been providing technical supports to poultry veterinarians and feed clients across Canada at Zoetis as Manager of Poultry Veterinary Services and is in charge of all technical aspects of poultry vaccines and medicated feed additives.

Roberto Soares

Dr. Roberto Soares, D.V.M., M.A.M., ACPV. Dr. Soares is currently the Technical Services Manager of Ceva Animal Health Canada. Roberto is originally from Brazil where he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Santa Maria Federal University (UFSM). He started his professional life as a poultry veterinarian working for Sadia (BRF). A couple of years later, he was accepted in the M.A.M. program at Rio Grande do Sul Federal University (UFRGS). He worked 7 years for Ross Breeders in Brazil, as veterinarian in charge of the biosecurity program in the Grandparent (GP), Great-grandparent (GGP) and Pedigree farms, and also as production manager of GP and Pedigree operations. Roberto worked with Vetech Laboratories in Canada as Technical Manager and with Aviagen Inc. as Poultry Veterinarian for North and Latin America. Before joining Ceva Animal Health Canada, Dr. Soares held the position of Head of Veterinary Services in Ceva AH Asia, based in Malaysia.

Sean Steinhagen

Sean has been a Technical Service Specialist in the Livestock and Poultry Division of IDEXX for the past three years and is a graduate of the University of Vermont with a degree in Biochemistry.

Brad Turner

Dr. Brad Turner, D.V.M., M.A.M. is a veterinarian based out of Athens, Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a D.V.M. and M.A.M.. He worked for Aviagen as a technical support vet for three years before joining DSM Nutritional Products as a technical support manager in 2010. His primary responsibility is supporting poultry customers in US and Canada.

Kobus Van Heerden

Kobus Van Heerden, originally from South Africa, graduated in Animal Nutrition from University of Pretoria in 1994, completed his honours degree in Animal Production in 1996 and an MBA in 2000. He worked with a large animal veterinarian, an animal feed manufacturer and joined Ceva Animal Health in 2006. He moved to Canada in 2012 as Corporate Range Manager for the coccidiosis vaccines, manufactured in Guelph, Ontario.

The speakers above include current and past speakers. Thanks to all speakers and their organizations for supporting the annual BC Poultry Symposium in Abbotsford, BC.