Researchers are critical for the Canadian beef cattle industry. Engaging industry leaders with researchers who study cattle, beef, genetics, feed or forage production is mutually beneficial. These connections allow researchers to become better informed about industry needs and encourage the sharing of research findings with a practical, solution-based focus.
The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) Beef Researcher Mentorship Program provides opportunities for new researchers to be paired with two mentors who provide insights and experiences that are relevant to their careers. The program also includes a travel budget to attend industry events and actively participate in the mentorship experience.
Following an open application process, five researchers from across Canada have been selected. Each has been paired with notable leaders in the Canadian beef industry, who will provide valuable opportunities for greater engagement across the industry. This year also marks 10 years of beef researcher mentorship involving 38 mentees and more than 70 mentors over the past decade.
The BCRC is pleased to announce the following participants in the 2024-25 Beef Researcher Mentorship Program:
Mentee: Dr. Katie Waine
Mentors: Dr. Steve Hendrick and Shylo Penrod
Dr. Katie Waine grew up in southern England where her family raised dairy-beef calves. She became interested in ruminant disease and surveillance after seeing the impact the BSE crisis and the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak had on the industry. She graduated as a veterinarian from the University of Bristol and spent five years working in clinical veterinary practice. She then completed a Ph.D. in evidence-based veterinary medicine at the University of Nottingham, followed by a three-year farm animal pathology training and master of veterinary medicine program. In addition, she became a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Pathologists in 2020. Dr. Waine remained at the university where she set up a new farm animal pathology service, including securing a government tender for surveillance cases. She then spent time working in a private diagnostic laboratory alongside a large team of experienced farm animal pathologists. In 2023, Dr. Waine moved to Canada and currently works as an assistant professor in veterinary pathology at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Services Unit. She also continues to report farm animal cases for a private diagnostic laboratory. Her research interests include bovine respiratory disease and infectious diseases.
Dr. Steve Hendrick was raised on a cow-calf and feedlot operation in southwestern Ontario. He received doctor of veterinary medicine and doctor of veterinary science (in epidemiology) degrees from the Ontario Veterinary College. After spending nine years in Saskatoon at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, he left academia and became a partner at Cattle Health Management (CHM) near Lethbridge, AB. As of April, 2024, CHM has become part of Telus Agriculture and Consumer Goods, providing veterinary, research and consulting services to cattle clients across Western Canada and abroad.
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