Zhao, Xin
Distinguished James 涩里番 Professor
Xin Zhao obtained a Bachelors degree in Animal Science in 1982 and a Masters degree in Nutritional Physiology and Biochemistry in 1985 from Nanjing Agricultural University, China. After obtaining his Ph.D. in 1989 from Cornell University, he moved to Canada to pursue postdoctoral study first at the University of Guelph and then at the University of Toronto. He began working at 涩里番 as an Assistant Professor in 1993, was promoted to Associate Professor in 1997, and then to Full Professor in 2006.
B.Sc, M.Sc (Nanjing Agricultural University, China)
Ph.D. (Cornell)
- 2025 American Dairy Science Association Fellowship Award
- 2021- Distinguished James 涩里番 Professor
- 2016 West Agro, Inc. Award, American Dairy Science Association
- 2014-2021 James 涩里番 Professor, 涩里番
- 2011 Canadian Society of Animal Science Fellowship Award
- 2007-2014 James 涩里番 Professor, 涩里番
- 2006 Canadian Society of Animal Science's award for Technical Innovation in Enhancing Production of Safe Affordable Food
- 2002-2006 William Dawson Scholar, 涩里番
My research interests pertain to mammary gland health in dairy cows and gut health in poultry. In dairy research, we focus on pathogenesis of mastitis, antibiotic resistance and genetic determination of milk components. In poultry research, we work on prebiotics, probiotics and gut microbiome.
Antimicrobial resistance of staphylococci from mastitic milk
We are working on (a) to reveal organizational and structural characteristics of antibiotic resistant genes in milk staphylococcal isolates; (b) to study the horizontal gene transfer of antibiotic resistance genes among staphylococcal isolates.
Prebiotics and probiotics for poultry production
We are systematically investigating effects of potential prebiotics and probiotics on production parameters, immune responses and gut microbiota in chickens, in order to reduce usage of antibiotics as growth promoters in poultry production.
Lactation physiology
We are working on (a) to develop new strategies to speed up the mammary gland involution during early dry periods, in order to reduce the incidence of mastitis during the early dry period; (b) to investigate genetic influence of milk components, in order to provide potential targets for animal breeding programs; (c) to study how heat stress affects milk production, in order to develop measures to mitigate the negative effects.