Meet Our Team

Dr. Karen Schwean-Lardner - Principal Investigator

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Photo by: Lisa Hippe
Karen grew up on a small hog farm near Herbert, Saskatchewan. She completed her B.Sc. (thesis – equine behaviour), M.Sc. (Alternative Housing Systems for Laying Hens) and her PhD (Impact of Daylength on Broiler Production and Welfare) at the University of Saskatchewan. During the time of and after completing her Ph.D., she managed the University of Saskatchewan Poultry Research and Teaching Centre, giving her considerable experience in the production aspects of poultry production.  She is also heavily involved in teaching poultry sciences, including production and management, but also behaviour and welfare of poultry and other livestock species. 

Staff

Tory Shynkaruk MSc - Research Assistant

Tory was born and raised in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan. She completed her B.Sc at the University of Saskatchewan. Continuing at the U of S, she completed her M.Sc. looking at the impact of darkness on feeding behaviour, production, and GIT segment and content weights of broiler chickens under the supervision of Dr. Schwean-Lardner.

 Kailyn Beaulac MSc - Research Assistant

Kailyn was raised on a farm near Spruce Home, Saskatchewan. She completed her B.Sc. at the University of Saskatchewan as well as her M.Sc. with Dr. Schwean-Lardner examining the effects of stocking density on heavy turkey tom productivity, health, and wellbeing to 16 weeks of age. 

Eugenia Herwig PHD - PostDoctoral Fellow

Eugenia was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Eugenia graduated with a B.Sc. from the University of Buenos Aires. She completed her M.Sc. looking at whether or not scratch mats in large furnished cages work for laying hens with Dr. Tina Widowski at the University of Guelph. Eugenia defended her Ph.D. examining the effect of rate and extent of starch digestion on broiler and laying hen physiology and behaviour at the University of Saskatchewan where she was co-supervised by Dr. Hank Classen and Dr. Schwean-Lardner. 

Current Students

Bruna Franco - PhD Candidate

Bruna is originally from Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, where she completed her Veterinary degree and her M.Sc. on animal welfare in the area of veterinary sciences at the Universidade Federal do Parana. She worked as a veterinarian in the poultry industry in Brazil before coming to the University of Saskatchewan for her Ph.D. studying the influence of LED lighting on the physiology and behaviour of broiler chickens.

 Timothy Fiss - MSc Candidate

Tim was raised on a farm near Indian Head, Saskatchewan. He received his B.Sc from the University of Saskatchewan and his MSc is looking at the effects of infrared beak treatment on turkeys. He is currently working for Chicken Farmers of Ontario as a Farming Operations Representative.

Carley Frerichs - MSc Candidate

Carley is a native Saskatoonian and completed her B.A. at the University of Saskatchewan. She is now pursuing her M.Sc. evaluating the effects of transportation on end of lay hens. Carley is currently working for Egg Farmers of Alberta as their Farm Programs Coordinator.
Jo Ann Chew - MSc Candidate
Jo Ann was born in Malaysia and moved to Edmonton, Alberta at the age of 16. She completed her B.Sc. at the University of Alberta. She is currently studying the effects of different light intensity during pullet rearing on bird's use of space, behaviour, and health.
Sameeha Jhetam - MSc Candidate
Sameeha was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa before moving to Calgary, AB. She completed her B.Sc in Animal Bioscience at the University of Saskatchewan. ​Sameeha is studying the effects of stocking density on turkey hen production, health, and welfare. 
Dilshaan Duhra - MSc Candidate
Shaan comes to us from North Surrey, British Columbia and he completed his B.Sc. at the University of Saskatchewan. Shaan's M.Sc. research examines if mealworms grown on fusarium damaged grain can be used as a feed ingredient for poultry diets.

PasT Students

Samantha Lalonde MSc April 2020
Bethany Baker PhD June 2019
Celma Santos MSc June 2019
Sarah Struthers MSc September 2018
Eugenia Herwig PhD July 2018
Kailyn Beaulac MSc April 2018
Tory Shynkaruk MSc July 2017
Cara Hughes ( 6 credit undergraduate) April 2017