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Animal Sciences Department

Animal Sciences Department

Dr. Fernanda M. Rezende

Assistant Professor — Statistical Genetics and Genomics

Dr. Fernanda Rezende was born and raised in Brazil, where she earned her B.S. in Animal Sciences and her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Animal Breeding and Genetics from the University of São Paulo. She served as Animal Breeding and Genetics faculty at the Federal University of Uberlandia in Brazil for 8 years and as Postdoctoral Research Associate of Quantitative Genetics and Genomics at UF Animal Sciences Department from 2017 to 2021. As an Assistant Professor of Statistical Genetics and Genomics at the University of Florida, her major responsibilities are to develop and conduct research and teaching programs in statistical genetics, quantitative genomics, and related subject areas that ultimately benefit livestock industries.

Programs

  • Research

    Research:

    The overall goal of Dr. Rezende’s program is to deepen our understanding of the complex genetic architecture of economically relevant traits, which contributes to the development of novel genomic strategies for improving animal production efficiency and sustainability via genetic selection. Her research is centered on the development and application of statistical and computational methods and bioinformatics tools to analyze and integrate high-dimensional data to better understand the connection between genetic variation at the molecular level and the expression of complex phenotypes, as well as to predict genetic merit or yet-to-be observed phenotypes. Dr. Rezende’s research involves competencies in statistical genetics, quantitative genetics, quantitative genomics, and computational biology to pinpoint candidate genes and biological mechanisms underlying economically important traits and to enhance genetic prediction with a particular focus on dairy and beef cattle.

Contact

Mailing address:
Department of Animal Sciences Bldg. 499
L.E. "Red" Larson Dairy Science
Bldg. 499Room 106 B
PO Box 110910
Gainesville, FL 32611-0910

Shipping address:
2250 Shealy Dr.
Gainesville, FL 32611

Phone: (352) 294-6988
Email: frezende@ufl.edu

  • Education

    Education:

    • Ph.D. in Animal Science - Animal Breeding and Genetics (2009-2012)
      University of São Paulo, Brazil
      Thesis: Incorporation of genetic markers information in beef cattle breeding programs

    • Master of Science in Animal Science - Animal Breeding and Genetics (2007-2009)
      University of São Paulo, Brazil
      Thesis: Prospection of the genetic markers associated to growth, carcass, and meat quality traits in Nellore cattle

    • Bachelor of Science in Animal Science (2001-2005)
      University of São Paulo, Brazil
      Thesis: Broiler grandparent lines management and selection system: field and hatchery

    Academic Positions Held:

    • Assistant Professor of Statistical Genetics and Genomics (2021-present)
      Department of Animal Sciences
      University of Florida

    • Postdoctoral Research Associate of Animal Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (2017-2021)
      Department of Animal Sciences
      University of Florida

    • Associate Professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics (2015-2020)
      College of Veterinary Medicine
      Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil

    • Assistant Professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics (2012-2015)
      Institute of Biotechnology
      Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil

  • Publications
  • Professional Service and Awards

    Honors, Awards, and Recognitions

    • 2020: Top Downloaded Paper 2018-2019 in Animal Genetics, recognized by Wiley
    • 2017-2018: Teaching excellence, awarded by the 74th (2017), 75th (2017), 76th (2018) and 77th (2018) classes of Veterinary Medicine. College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil
    • 2017: Excellence in undergraduate scientific research, nominated by National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brazil (to Anna Carolina Fernandes, mentor: F.M. Rezende)
    • 2015-2016: Teaching excellence, awarded by the 1st (2015), 2nd (2015) and 3rd (2016) classes on Biotechnology. Biotechnology Institute, Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil
    • 2012: Best scientific study, awarded by Associação dos Criadores de Nelore do Brasil (ACNB), Uberaba, Brazil

    Professional Memberships

    • American Dairy Science Association
    • American Society of Animal Science
    • Florida Cattlemen’s Association

    Journal referee

    • Frontiers in Genetics, Review Editor of Livestock Genomics
    • Scientific Reports
    • BMC Genomics
    • Journal of Dairy Science
    • Journal of Animal Science
    • PLoS One
    • Animal
    • Translational Animal Science
    • Animals
    • Livestock Science
    • Animal Biotechnology
    • Bioscience Journal
    • Scientia Agricola
    • Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira