Fernanda Marcondes de Rezende

Fernanda Rezende began her research carrier investigating the effects of inbreeding on carcass and cuts yields of an Agroceres Ross (actual Aviagen) male broiler line while graduating from a BSc. Animal Sciences degree at University of Sao Paulo. She also worked on the estimation of variance components and the prediction of genetic merit using pedigree, genomic data and field performance information from sheep, beef and dairy cattle. Her Master research was in partnership with Merial/Igenity validating genetic markers for the first commercial genetic test on Nellore beef cattle in Brazil. Her PhD research evaluated the performance of Bayesian methods applied in marker assisted selection in a Nellore herd. Fernanda served as Associate Professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics at Federal University of Uberlandia in Brazil for 8 years. She joined the University of Florida (UF) in 2017 during a sabbatical period that included an experience at AgriBio Centre in Australia, and currently she has a Assistant Professor position at UF Animal Sciences Department. Fernanda is broadly interested in quantitative genetics and genomics for the genetic improvement of livestock populations through selection. Her research is centered in the development and application of statistical, computational and bioinformatics methods for analyzing high dimensional data to predict genetic merit or yet-to-be observed phenotypes, and to dissect the genetic architecture of economically relevant traits in livestock. She is currently involved in research and teaching programs in animal genetics and genomics with the goal of enhancing beef and dairy cattle production. (Source: Lattes Curriculum)