In the spotlight: Coralia Manzanilla Pech, researcher at ABG

Last time, Marjaneh Taghavi shared a bit about her background and her work for ABG. This time we asked Coralia Manzanilla Pech, researcher at ABG, about her work and research activities. (And her hobbies, of course.)

Hello Coralia, could you perhaps introduce yourself and share a
bit about the work you do for ABG?

My name is Coralia Manzanilla Pech, and I'm from Yucatan, Mexico. I've been a
researcher with ABG since September 2023. My work primarily focuses
on projects related to methane emissions in dairy cattle, and I also contribute
to a couple of fish-related projects.

How and when did you start at ABG? And where did you work before you came to Wageningen University & Research (WUR)?

I first came to the Netherlands in October 2012 to pursue my PhD, which I completed in April 2017. After spending a few months in Mexico, I joined Aarhus University (AU) in Denmark, where I worked for nearly six years - four years as a postdoc and the remaining time as an assistant professor. I joined ABG in September 2023.

I'm curious, what sparked your interest in genetics and/or animal breeding? Or animal sciences in general?

During my bachelor's degree in Mexico, I had a genetics teacher who was incredibly passionate about the subject. His enthusiasm for pedigrees and inbreeding inspired me to pursue a master's degree in Animal Breeding and Genetics. After completing my MSc in Mexico, I worked for the National Research Institution for Livestock, Plant, and Forestry as a researcher in livestock genetics, conducting genetic evaluations for sheep and cattle. This experience solidified my interest in the field and led me to pursue a PhD in WUR, one of the best agricultural universities in Europe.

What motivates/drives you in your work? What is it about your work that gives you energy?

I am deeply passionate about my work on methane emissions in dairy cattle, a topic I've been involved with for over a decade. It's exciting to see more people working on this important topic. The ongoing efforts to standardize and harmonize procedures in this field keep me motivated. I also enjoy exploring new areas, such as fish production systems. Interacting with colleagues, discussing research, and sharing ideas energize me. After conferences, courses, project meetings, or informal gatherings, I always return with new ideas and motivation. Seeing others passionate about their work and eager to collaborate is incredibly inspiring.

Can you share some information about a project that you are currently working on? Something that you're proud of?

We are starting an exciting collaborative project with Denmark, which I am fortunate to help coordinate. This project, under the umbrella of the Global Methane Genetics program, involves testing various sniffer devices, setting international protocols for measuring methane with sniffers, standardizing editing protocols to process raw data from these devices, and combining historical data from both countries to conduct a bi-country genetic evaluation. We will continue measuring methane emissions in an additional 20,000 cows and aim to provide recommendations on incorporating genetics into a credit system.

On a more personal note, what are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

In my free time, I enjoy walking my dog, Nahla. On weekends, we often visit forests or dog parks where she can run freely. I also love biking and fitness boxing, and I'm currently training for my first Viking race with obstacles in June. Since we've recently moved to a new city, I'm looking forward to discovering new places to enjoy these activities.

Final question, who would you like to nominate for the next interview in this series?

I would like to nominate David Flossdorf to learn more about his work.