Michael Steele

Dr. Steele is a Full Professor in the Department of Animal Biosciences, with his research aiming to explain ruminant physiology through a systems approach from the molecular to whole animal level. His research program is inspired by his upbringing on a progressive dairy farm in Southwestern Ontario, where he became fascinated by the integration of advanced scientific technologies and livestock production systems. The global hypothesis of his current research program is that during early-life, gastrointestinal function and health in the ruminant are regulated by specific interactions among diet and microbiota that can impact gastrointestinal physiology later in life. As such, the overall objective of his research program is to develop a better understanding of how pre-weaning nutritional and management factors that are common in livestock production can impact gastrointestinal development and metabolism during the pre-weaning phase and later in life. His research program is summarized into the following four areas:

1. Uncovering the bioactivity of colostrum and factors influencing transfer of passive immunity
2. Elucidating effects of feeding elevated planes of milk nutrition and milk replacer composition on gastrointestinal function, development and metabolism of dairy calves
3. Understanding how weaning strategies influence calf gut function
4. Determining alternatives to antimicrobials

 Academic History

• Ph.D. University of Guelph, Animal Science, 2011
  • Supervisor: Dr. Brian McBride
  • Thesis title: The structural and functional adaptation of the rumen epithelium during grain-induced ruminal acidosis
• M.Sc. University of Guelph, Animal Science, 2003
  • Supervisor: Dr. John Cant
  • Thesis title: Localization of GLUT1 and HXK1 in isolated bovine mammary epithelial cells
• B.Sc. University of Guelph, Agricultural Science, 2001

 Awards and Honours

2020: ADSA Foundation Scholar Award, American Dairy Science Association

2019: American Society of Animal Science Early Researcher Award, American Society of Animal Science

2018: Cargill Animal Nutrition Young Scientists Award, American Dairy Science Association

2016: NSERC Industrial Research Chair, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

2016: Canadian Society of Animal Science Young Scientists Award, Canadian Society of Animal Science

2016: Lallemand Animal Nutrition Award for Excellence in Dairy Nutrition, American Dairy Science Assocation