Elsa Antunes Fernandes

Tell us about yourself (Who are you? Where are you from? What is your educational background?)

I’m Elsa Antunes Fernandes. I’m Portuguese but working in the Netherlands for several years. My background relates to Food science and Toxicology.

What is your area of expertise?

During this project I have focused on the application of metabolomic to unravel milk composition.

Where does your focus lie within your current project(s)? (related to methane)

I’m part part of the project “Methane reduction in dairy cows”, funded by Top Institute of Food and Nutrition (Netherlands) and I focus on the development of prediction models for methane emission based on milk composition (fatty acids, volatiles and non-volatiles).

What would be the added value for you of joining an international researchers network? (such as the METHAGENE network)

It is important to keep in contact with others to have a critical view on our own results and future developments.

What and/or who inspired you to make a career in science?

Moving to the Netherlands for an internship. It was supposed to have been a for a 6 months period, but after that I’ve decided to stay for a MSc, PhD, PostDoc…

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I truly enjoy the cooperation with other researchers with different background and knowledge.

What is your most stand-out or surprising moment in science so far?

Working with colleagues with a different background/expertise and translate this into valuable publication(s).