Author Spotlight: Zelmar Rodriguez on Avian Flu, Biosecurity Research, and Facing the Dairy Challenges of the Future

Today’s trailblazing dairy science innovations are built on the incredible work being done by a diverse, interconnected, global scientific community. Get to know a fellow community member in our ongoing Author Spotlight series.  

Caption: Zelmar Rodriguez, DVM, PhD
(Credit: Jimena Marfil)

Zelmar Rodriguez, DVM, PhD, is an assistant professor and dairy veterinarian in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. His integrated research and extension program is dedicated to developing management strategies for disease control and milk quality.

Following the release of the special hot topic issue of JDS Communications dedicated to the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, we caught up with Zelmar on his H5N1 research, how he develops biosecurity tools for dairy farms, and the mentors who shaped his career.

See more of Zelmar’s work on LinkedIn and X/Twitter, and watch him in the recent H5N1 webinar.

What specific questions or challenges within the field of dairy science are you currently working on?

In my research and extension programs, I work on developing effective management strategies to enhance disease control and milk quality in dairy herds. Currently, my work is heavily focused on understanding highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle.

I want to understand what makes cows and herds more susceptible to the virus to develop prevention and control strategies through biosecurity programs and also estimate its impact to raise awareness among the dairy community. In addition to HPAI, I work on mastitis prevention and control, as mastitis remains one of the most significant challenges to animal health in dairy operations.

Scientific publishing plays a crucial role in advancing our shared knowledge as well as individual dairy science careers. Do you have any tips or advice for navigating the world of scientific publishing?

I’d advise researchers to fully adhere to established epidemiological reporting guidelines (e.g., CONSORT, STROBE, TREND) from the study design stage onward. Ensure your studies are thorough by providing a clear and detailed explanation of the design, clearly indicate the causal, exploratory, or predictive nature of the study, and be sure to discuss all potential biases (every study has them!). This approach not only facilitates the work of reviewers and readers but also strengthens the reliability and impact of your published articles.

Caption: Zelmar’s lab team
(from left to right) Jimena Marfil,
Daniel Rodriguez-Jurado,
Keya Mohanto, and Zelmar Rodriguez
(Credit: Zelmar Rodriguez)

Collaboration and mentorship often shape a scientist’s journey in the profession. Do you have mentors or colleagues who have positively impacted your career? How have they influenced you and your approach to dairy science?

During my time in academia, I’ve had the privilege of working with great mentors and colleagues, such as Luciano Caixeta, Gerard Cramer, Sandra Godden, and Annette O’Connor, who have shaped my life journey and for whom I am deeply grateful.

And I want to particularly highlight two of my colleagues who have profoundly influenced both my career and personal growth. Pam Ruegg, who introduced me to the exciting and vast field of milk quality some years ago, and has supported me ever since by helping me navigate the academic world and find my place in this strong and reliable community.

Also, Catalina Picasso-Risso, who first encouraged me to engage in academia and has been a constant source of personal and professional support and learning for me throughout my journey. I am deeply grateful to have her in my corner.

In your experience, what aspects of dairy science are the most fascinating or enjoyable? Conversely, are there specific challenges within the field that you run into, or wish there were better solutions available for?

Animal health fascinates me because it integrates multiple disciplines, like epidemiology, statistics, physiology, and technology. However, there are multiple ongoing challenges that the dairy industry is facing for which I wish we had better solutions—or at least some answers.

The general public is increasingly calling for substantial changes in management practices, including cow-calf separation, antibiotic use, and animal welfare, reflected by a shift in consumer preferences for plant-based milk alternatives. Internally, a new disease is causing substantial economic losses and disrupting the industry. Regulatory agencies are pushing for environmental changes related to carbon footprints, water usage, and methane emissions. And the rapid rise of artificial intelligence will quickly reshape our relationships with animals, producers, and management practices as it becomes integrated into our daily decision-making.

Hopefully, as we engage in these discussions with a genuine willingness to find solutions, we can steer the dairy industry toward a more sustainable and resilient future.

We know authors have many options for which journals they submit to. What benefits do you see to publishing in a society journal, such as JDS Communications?

JDS Communications provides practitioners and advisors with trustworthy publications in a concise format, making it, for me, an excellent journal for reaching a broad audience relatively quickly.

Strengthening our shared dairy science community means celebrating more than just our professional selves. Outside of work, what activities or hobbies bring you joy?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my kids, Luca and Lara, and my wife, Cata. We spend a lot of time at playgrounds, soccer fields, swimming lessons, and the zoo. Whenever I have some extra time, I love cycling!