Sieglinde Debruyne

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

My name is Sieglinde Debruyne. I have a MSc in Biology and am currently working on a PhD in agricultural sciences at the University of Gent, Belgium and the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research in Melle, Belgium.

What is your area of expertise?

I study the potential of using a nutritional early life programming strategy to reduce methane emissions in dairy calves and goats.

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

Feed supplements: essential oils, medium chain fatty acids and poly-unsaturated fatty acids.
Develop a practical method to supplement these in early life to young ruminants. Follow-up on effects on rumen fermentation, methane emissions and growth during and after supplementation stops.

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

Joining an international researchers network simplifies exchange of knowledge between researchers in the same field.

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

I have always been interested in science, my motivation comes from within myself.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I enjoy the practical work with animals a lot, this is a very important aspect for me. I also like converting data into results and discussing them.

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

Acquiring a 4-year scholarship from the Institute for Science and Innovation (IWT Flanders, Belgium) after writing and defending this PhD project.