Larissa Zetouni

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

I’m Larissa Zetouni, from Brazil. I got my BSc in Animal Sciences in Maringa State University, and my MSc in Sao Paulo State University, in Genetics and Animal Breeding. During my MSc, I worked with Molecular Biology, searching for polymorphisms in two genes of economic interest in buffalo cows, the melatonin receptor MTRN1A and the leptin gene. Now, I’m getting my PhD in Aarhus University.

What is your area of expertise?

Quantitative genetics, which I have been applying in better understanding how can we select for lower methane emissions.

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

We are trying to have a better understanding in ratio traits and how can we get a better improvement on them. Our main goal so far has been to investigate how we can get an improvement in milk production while decreasing methane emissions.

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

Networking is a huge part of our careers. The opportunity to meet new people who are, in any way, working with similar things you are has always proofed to be enriching and learning from them is a way of asking new questions and getting surprisingly clarifying new answers.

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

Definitely my brother. He has always been the genius in the family and his constant ability to question everything made me realize I was quite curious myself.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Surprisingly, I enjoy the bumps on the road. Every new bump is a new question to be asked. It keeps amazing me how many new directions we can actually go to every time we find a problem.

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

Coming to Denmark for my PhD, for sure. It has been quite a ride and I’m enjoying every single moment of it.