Hello, I am Amy, a Cohort 6 student at the University of Aberdeen in the School of Biological Sciences. Growing up around animals, I always wanted to work with them but could never decide which path to take. I considered all the usual vets, zookeepers, welfare officers, and animal carers, but none ever seemed to fit fully.
A BSc in Animal Science later led me to the field of animal nutrition. 2 years in industry later, as a nutritional advisor, I missed academia. So, in September 2023, I began an MSc in Animal Nutrition. This program reaffirmed that I wished to continue in the research field, which started the search for a PhD and led to where I am now.
My PhD, like most, has a long title; ‘Investigating approaches in dairy farming towards mitigation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions: atmospheric concentrations, nutrient utilisation and indices of milk production as factors in prediction’, but essentially boils down to greenhouse gas mitigation in dairy farming. From feed additives to genetic selection, down to system and slurry management, many methods exist to reduce Methane and Nitrous Oxide. However, research proves varied in its findings, leaving farmers unsure of the best approaches. This project aims to help identify which mitigation methods are proving successful in the UK and if others have the potential to work.
