My current overall research is on applied pig nutrition and the impact of minerals, protein and dietary fibre on digestive processes and health, including intestinal fermentation, microbiology, epithelial integrity, and nutrient utilization in pigs. Strong research focus is now on determining the physiological requirement for zinc in pigs during different growth stages and in assessing the bioavailability of different zinc sources in weaned pigs. Focus is also on identifying more sustainable sources of dietary phosphorus, than the inorganic rock-derived sources currently used in pig production and on evaluating the nutritive value of these in pigs. Additionally, research is on reducing the need for antibiotics in pig production both through dietary interventions, but also through development and characterization of a new experimental model for colitis-complex diarrhoea in growing pigs.
