My name is Felipe Machado de Sant’Anna, I’m 37 yo and I come from Brazil. I have a bachelor’s in Veterinary Medicine, Master and Doctor in Animal Science by the Veterinary School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais. My research projects are related to molecular microbiology and microbial ecology. In 2019, I’ve acquired the title of PhD with the thesis: “Microbiome of the Minas artisanal cheeses from the Serra do Salitre region, throughout ripening time”. Throughout my career as an under/graduate, I’ve been developing experience with probiotics and microbial characterization of animal products. I have performed as an Associate Professor lecturing Technology and Inspection of products of animal origin from 2020 to 2022. In January 2022, I started the postdoc position at CALS under the supervision of Dr. John Barlow, with a research proposal to investigate resistomes of pathogens present in milk and dairy products, via high-throughput sequencing on US dairy farms, in partnership with the USDA.
Our project is based on the detection of pathogens in milk and cheese produced across the state of Vermont. We aim to detect Antimicrobial resistance genes (AMR) associated with pathogens in the dairy chain production, via high throughput sequencing, wich allows us to obtain near-to-completion genomes within these sources. We are especially interested in specific pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus/non-aureus¬; Listeria monocytogenes; Salmonella; Campylobacter and Escherichia coli. Another focus of our project is to investigate how and when these resistance genes are most prominent in the cheese production chain, aiming to develop ways to mitigate this transmission.
As a cheese lover, I think working in Vermont farmsteads is an incredible experience to learn new things, as well as discovering new cheeses and its ways of production. I think developing such unique skills required by this research project will truly help me achieving new approaches towards food safety. As a long-term objective, I aim to be a Professor/Researcher working with milk and dairy products.
Advisor: John Barlow
