Tina Widowski, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Animal & Poultry Science
University of Guelph, Guelph, ON
Telephone: 519 824 4120 ext 52408
Email: twidowsk@uoguelph.ca Website: www.uoguelph.ca/abw/twidowski

Background/Area of Expertise: PhD in Animal Science, specializing in applied animal behaviour, management, housing and welfare of farm animals. Associated Faculty of Colonel K.L. Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare. Primary emphasis is on pigs and poultry. Please see my web-site for a complete description of my research, teaching and publications

Bio: While growing up in Chicago, Tina Widowski never dreamed that she would someday specialize in the behaviour and welfare of farm animals. She first began working with animals as a veterinary technician in a small animal practice in the suburbs, and then gained research experience as a zoology undergraduate working with Australian zebra finches. Widowski was first introduced to agricultural species as a summer student in an animal science lab. She became fascinated with the applied aspects of animal behaviour in food production and the challenges of managing food animals while at the same time protecting their welfare. She decided to pursue graduate studies in the area. Following completion of a PhD on the hormonal control of nest building in sows, Widowski managed two colonies of endangered monkeys and studied their reproductive biology and behaviour while her husband completed his schooling at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
When Dr. Widowski moved to Guelph in 1990, she returned to Animal Science, studying the behaviour and welfare of poultry. She was appointed to a faculty position in 1998. Her current research focuses on how housing and management practices affect the physiology, behaviour and welfare of pigs, poultry and cattle.

Presentation Specific to Which Livestock Industry: Swine, Poultry, General, Livestock, Meat, Veterinary

Presentation Title: I regularly speak on a variety of topics related to my research and teaching. Please see the "service" section of my web-site and "what we do" for a list of speakers topics
Presentation Summary: The goal of all of my industry and professional presentations is to communicate research findings in a way that can be used to provide understanding and solutions to animal welfare issues and behaviour problems

Speaker Cost: Reimbursement for travel and accomodation expenses; modest honourarium ($150 - $300/depending on the engagement)

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