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Animal Sciences Department

Animal Sciences Department

Dr. José Eduardo P. Santos

Professor — Dairy Cattle Nutrition and Reproduction

Dr. José E.P. Santos is a Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Florida where he conducts research and extension in dairy cattle nutrition and reproduction. He earned his DVM degree from São Paulo State University in Brazil in 1992, completed the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in 1995 and 1997 at the University of Arizona, and a clinical residency in Dairy Production Medicine in 2000 in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California Davis. Before joining the University of Florida, José spent 8 years as a faculty member in the Department of Population Health and Reproduction in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California Davis.

Dr. Santos’ research seeks to develop technologies that enhance efficiency of dairy production, in particular improvements in peripartum health and reproduction that have long-lasting effects on lactation performance and survival in dairy cows. The research is highly integrative, combining components of basic cellular biology, whole animal physiology, and applied interventions that are adopted by dairy producers worldwide.

Academic Positions Since Final Degree:

  • 2012-Present Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville.
  • 2008-2011 Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville.
  • 2004-2007 Associate Professor, Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis.
  • 2000-2004 Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis.

Programs

  • Research

    Research Summary

    Dr. Santos conducts applied and basic research in the areas of dairy cattle nutrition and reproductive biology and management.

    A component of his research is to understand how dietary interventions prepartum affect health and productive performance in early lactation. Another component is how nutrients directly or indirectly influence conceptus development and maintenance of pregnancy in dairy cows.

    Areas of recent research emphasis include

    • Development of technologies to improve the use of artificial insemination in dairy cattle
    • Understand the underlying mechanisms by which inflammation and inflammatory diseases impair establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in dairy cattle
    • Dietary interventions to improve periparturient mineral metabolism in dairy cows
    • The role of choline on hepatic lipid metabolism and production performance in dairy cows
  • Teaching

    Area of Speciality: Ruminant Nutrition and Reproductive Physiology

    Dr. Santos teaches a graduate course in Ruminant Nutrition (ANS6447) and an applied experimental design and data analyses course in animal sciences (ANS6905). He also teaches a few lectures in a graduate course in Reproductive Physiology (ANS6751) and in a course offered to DVM students, Dairy Production Medicine (VEM 5352).

    Courses Taught

    • ANS647 Ruminant Nutrition – 4 credits taught in the Fall semester of even years
    • ANS 6751  Physiology of Reproduction – 3 credits taught in the Spring semester in odd years
    • ANS 6905 Applied Statistics in Animal Sciences – 4 credits taught in the Fall semester of odd years
  • Extension

    Dr. Santos coordinates extension programs in dairy cattle nutrition and reproduction. Specific educational extension programs include the Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium, the Florida Dairy Production Conference, the University of Florida/University of Georgia Corn Silage and Forage Field Day, and extension road shows throughout the state of Florida.

Santos

Contact

PO Box 110910
Gainesville, FL 32611
352-294-6998

2250 Shealy Dr.
Gainesville, FL 32611
jepsantos@ufl.edu

  • Education

    Education:

    • 1998-2000 Clinical Residency, Dairy Production Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis
    • 1996-1997 PhD, Department of Animal Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
    • 1994-1995  MSc, Department of Animal Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
    • 1988-1992  DVM, School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
  • Publications
  • Professional Service and Awards

    Professional Memberships

    • American Association for Advancement of Science
    • American Dairy Science Association
    • Brazilian Society for Embryo Technology
    • Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council

    Honors and Awards

    • 2022 “Fellow of the American Association of Advancement of Science” by the AAAS.
    • 2022 “Fellow of the American Dairy Science Award” by the American Dairy Science Association.
    • 2022 DeLaval “Dairy Extension Award” by the American Dairy Science Association.
    • 2022 Nutrition Professionals, Inc. “Applied Dairy Nutrition Award” by the American Dairy Science Association.
    • 2022 Highly Cited Award by the American Dairy Science Association for the paper Santos et al. (2019) Meta-analysis of the effects of prepartum dietary cation-anion difference on performance and health of dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 102:2134–2154; https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-14628
    • 4 publications in the Top 100 most cited papers in the Journal of Dairy Science in 2022. https://www.adsa.org/Publications/Journal-of-Dairy-Science/JDS-Top-100-Papers-for-2022
    • Graduate student Achilles Vieira Neto was awarded the 2021 National Milk Producers Federation “Richard M. Hoyt” Award by the American Dairy Science Association.
    • The 2021 IFAS Award of Excellence for Graduate Research, Best Doctoral Dissertation, Chair of Supervisory Committee for Achilles Vieira Neto, PhD Student in Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology.
    • 6 publications in the Top 100 most cited papers in the Journal of Dairy Science in 2020.
    • 2019 “Highly Cited Researchers” by the Web of Science Group. https://recognition.webofsciencegroup.com/awards/highly-cited/2019/
    • 2019 “Term Professorship” by the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, September 2019, Gainesville, FL.
    • 2019 “Journal of Dairy Science Most Cited Paper in Physiology and Management” by the American Dairy Science Association.
    • 2018 “Journal of Dairy Science Club 100” for being the corresponding author of more than 100 published papers in the Journal of Dairy Science. Awarded by the American Dairy Science Association.
    • 2017 “Journal of Dairy Science Most Cited Paper in Physiology and Management” by the American Dairy Science Association.
    • Graduate student Francisco Rebôlo Lopes Jr. was awarded 1st place graduate student competition in applied research by the Brazilian Society for Embryo Technology, in August 2017.
    • 2016 “Senior Faculty Research Award” by the University of Florida Sigma Xi Chapter.
    • 2016 IFAS Award of Excellence for Graduate Research, Best Doctoral Dissertation, Chair of Supervisory Committee for Eduardo S. Ribeiro, Ph.D. Student in Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology
    • Research Foundation Professorship, by the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, September 2015, Gainesville, FL.
    • Graduate student Natalia Martinez was awarded the Alltech Inc. Graduate Student Paper Publication Award by the American Dairy Science Association, July 2015.
    • Graduate student Rafael S. Bisinotto was awarded the National Milk Producers Federation “Richard M. Hoyt” Award by the American Dairy Science Association, July 2015.
    • Graduate student Eduardo S. Ribeiro was awarded the National Milk Producers Federation “Richard M. Hoyt” Award by the American Dairy Science Association, July 2014.
    • 2013 “University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences International Achievement Award”, December 2013, Gainesville, FL.
    • 2012 “Junior Faculty Research Award” by the University of Florida Sigma Xi Chapter, April 12, 2012, Gainesville, FL.
    • 2012 “Junior Faculty Award of Merit” by the Gamma Sigma Delta Chapter of the University of Florida.
    • 2011-2012 “Mentor of the Year Award” by the Graduate Student Association, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida.
    • 2009 “Pfizer Animal Health Physiology Award” by the American Dairy Science Association.
    • 2009 “Speaker of the Year in Food Animal Medicine” by the 26th North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, Florida.
    • 2005 “Cargill Animal Nutrition Young Scientist Award” by the American Dairy Science Association.
    • House officer seminar day award: Large animal research study. March 1999. School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.