Dr. Karen Beauchemin

Dr. Karen Beauchemin (PhD) is an international authority on greenhouse gas emissions from livestock farming. As a scientist working for the Government of Canada, Dr. Beauchemin and her colleagues have established a broad research program to improve the use of feed for beef and dairy cattle that reduces methane production. The research is helping Canadian farmers increase the sustainability of meat and milk production and adapt to climate change impacts. During her formative years, Karen’s keen interest in food and nutrition led her to pursue a career in animal science. She is currently a senior research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Research and Development Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta, and an adjunct professor at several Canadian and international universities. Before her career in research, she spent several years in the feed industry as a nutritionist. She has published over 500 articles and is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Nutrition Professionals Applied Dairy Nutrition Award from the American Dairy Science Association, the Bertebos Prize from the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry, the Canadian Society of Animal Science Fellowship Award, and the Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation.

“With research, it is all about good ideas, teamwork and collaboration. I have been very lucky over the years to have worked with great technicians, students, postdocs, and other researchers who are always ready to go the extra mile. Working with fantastic collaborators has helped me turn my ideas into reality.”