Gareth Difford

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

My name is Gareth Difford and I am a South African. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into a joint doctoral program between Aarhus University in Denmark and Wageningen University in The Netherlands through the European Graduate School of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Previously, I had completed my BSc and MSc in genetics at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

What is your area of expertise?

My area of expertise lies in quantitative genetics and statistics. Both of which I apply to conventional livestock and aquaculture species, primarily towards increasing production efficiency and lowering environmental foot prints.

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

My current focus lies in better understanding the genetic control of methane emission, feed efficiency, rumen metagenomics and their inter-dependencies in dairy cattle.

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

Joining networks of international researchers has proven extremely beneficial, it provides opportunities to learn from experts, present work and obtain valuable criticisms as well as follow the most current discussions on problems and issues faced by experts and young researchers alike.

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

I was extremely fortunate to have many enthusiastic and capable science teachers throughout my schooling career who encouraged and inspired me to follow a career in science.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I enjoy the process of problem solving as well as uncovering new and previously unknown facts.

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

That each human, plant or animal is not only the product of their own genetics and environment but also that of the microbes that live in or on them, effectively a macro-organism with millions of components all interacting!