Opening Plenary Speakers

Dr. Nicolas DiLorenzo received his degree in Agricultural Engineering from the Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina, in 2002. He moved to the U.S. in 2002 to pursue graduate studies at the University of Minnesota, where he obtained his Master degree in 2004 and his PhD in 2008, both in Animal Science with emphasis in beef cattle nutrition. From 2008 to 2010 Dr. DiLorenzo worked as a postdoctoral Research Associate at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, conducting research in the area of feedlot nutrition and management. In 2010 he joined the University of Florida as an Assistant Professor in Animal Sciences at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna. His primary research and extension interests are in the area of beef cattle nutrition, with the objective of improving the efficiency of use of forages minimizing the environmental impact. His research focuses on ruminal metabolism and fermentation, emissions of greenhouse gases, and nutrient excretion in cattle systems.

Junichi Takahashi, scientist in the field of animal nutrition and environmental science, graduated from Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Japan in 1973, and given master’s degree in 1975 and PhD in 1983 from Kyushu University. President, Hokkaido Society of Animal Science for 2008-2009 and internationally as Expert (Project leader) of Japan International Cooperation Agency, Visiting Professor, National University of Asuncion, Paraguay for 1986-1988, Visiting Scholar, The University of Alberta, Canada for 1989-1990, Visiting Professor, The University of Queensland, Australia for 1995-1996. He has founded the International Conference on Greenhouse Gases and Animal Agriculture, GGAA and has been worked as a President for 2001-Present. Currently, he is professor emeritus, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine. He was given the title of National High-End Chair professor from Chinese Government. He worked as a Visiting Professor, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai and Distinguished Visiting Professor, IPB, Indonesia and Saitama Institute of Technology, Japan and leaded the international projects on Japanese/Australia Science and Technology (Reference 95AGF05-19), Japanese/Czech Science and Technology (Reference NJ-110CZ), and The joint research projects with The University of Sydney Australia, IPB Indonesia, Nutrivet. s.r.o. Czech, Tongji University and Unilever China. Internationally, he has worked as an editorial board member of some International Journals and External Assessor and Examiner of UPM Malaysia, ETH Switzerland, University of Alberta Canada, Alberta Livestock Meat Association (ALMA) Canada, Japan Atomic Energy Commission “The former Soviet Union nuclear developer support project”. He has published more than 140 refereed Journal articles, 40 Books, Scientific Reviews and 43 Patents.

Nick T. Place joined the University of Georgia as dean and director of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences on Jan. 1, 2021. Place previously served as dean and director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service and a professor in the University of Florida Department of Agricultural Education and Communication from 2012 through 2020. As dean and director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, he oversaw faculty located in each of Florida’s counties, 13 research and education centers, 15 academic departments and the School of Forest Resources and Conservation. Before his appointment with the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Place served as associate dean and associate director of University of Maryland Extension, supporting faculty in the Colleges of Chemical and Life Sciences, Health and Human Performance, and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences.

Place’s research and scholarship focuses on teaching and learning along with domestic and international extension services and their role in youth, community, and economic development. He was selected by the USDA to work in Poland for six months to assist the Polish Ministry of Agriculture in restructuring and reorienting its agricultural extension system.

Place started his career in extension as a multi-county agent in Pennsylvania, where he spent 12 years conducting educational programs in dairy, livestock, 4-H youth development and community development. He earned his bachelor’s degree in dairy husbandry at Delaware Valley College in Pennsylvania, his master’s degree in dairy and animal science at Penn State University, and his doctorate in agricultural and extension education at Penn State University.

Dr. J. Scott Angle is a national leader in developing the science that supports food production and management of natural resources. As chief executive of the agriculture and environmental sciences arm of a leading land-grant university, he champions public science as a path to improve lives and reduce human suffering.

His accomplished career in government, non-profit international development, and academia informs an approach to leadership based on service, partnership, and drive for impact. An innovator who holds seven patents, Angle has successfully guided multiple organizations through budget shortfalls and other challenges.

Dr. Angle leads nearly 2,300 employees who work in all 67 Florida counties. UF/IFAS encompasses the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, and the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station.

John Arthington is a graduate of the Animal Sciences Departments of Purdue and Kansas State Universities and has been a member of the University of Florida, Animal Sciences faculty since 1998. Currently, he serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Animal Sciences. Prior to this time, he served as Professor and Director of the University of Florida, Range Cattle Research and Education Center in Ona (2005 to 2019).

In addition to his administrative responsibilities, John holds the rank of Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences. His research and extension programs focus on the management and nutrition of grazing beef cattle with a specific emphasis on mineral nutrition and their impacts on cattle stress and productivity. This program has contributed over 100 peer-reviewed publications to the discipline and has mentored numerous graduate students. As an extension specialist, John has raised awareness of important trace mineral deficiencies affecting Florida’s beef industry. As a result, effective and efficient supplementation strategies have been developed and implemented. John is a past President of the American Society of Animal Science’s Southern Section. He has served two terms as Associate Editor for the Journal of Animal Science and served on the editorial board for the Professional Animal Scientist Journal. John is a member of the American Society of Animal Science, American Dairy Science Association, American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, Florida Cattlemen’s Association, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and the Florida Farm Bureau.