About Us
Find out more about our team
PARTNERS
The MethTrack project is overseen by Prof. Stefania Colombini and constitutes a collaboration of three partner institutions: the University of Milan (Italy), Bioeconomy Science Institute (New Zeland) and the Technical University of Munich (Germany).
University of Milan
The Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences – Production, Territory, Agroenergy (DiSAA) of the University of Milan operates with the aim of developing knowledge of agricultural systems through scientific research. The approach adopted by the department is multidisciplinary and aims at the effective and efficient management of agricultural systems.
Prof. Stefania Colombini
Prof. Stefania Colombini is an Associate Professor in Animal Nutrition and Feeding. Her research focuses on sustainable animal production, specifically developing dietary strategies to reduce enteric methane emissions and improve energy/protein metabolism in ruminants. She also characterizes alternative feed sources and uses Life Cycle Assessment to evaluate the environmental impact of production systems.
Prof. Luca Rapetti
Prof. Luca Rapetti is a Full Professor in Animal Nutrition and Feeding, focusing on both ruminant and monogastric species. His primary research involves the metabolism of energy and protein and the characterization of dietary nutritional value. A key objective is optimizing diets for sustainability, reduced methane emissions, and maintaining high standards for animal welfare and product quality in dairy cattle and goats.
Filippo Giudice
Filippo Giudice is a PhD student in agriculture, environment and bioenergy. His research focuses on evaluating dietary strategies to reduce enteric methane emission, improving livestock production efficiency.
Bioeconomy Science Institute
A unified science institute to drive innovation and commercial outcomes in the bioeconomy, using research and technology to support enduring economic growth and resilience, a healthy environment and beneficial social outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand. Our new organisation brings together New Zealand’s four leading bioeconomy research institutes into one. Together, our world-class science can do more to advance innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology and manufacturing; protect and enhance ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and develop new bio-based technologies and products.
Dr. Stefan Muetzel
Dr. Stefan Muetzel is a Senior Scientist in animal nutrition, microbiology, and agricultural engineering who joined AgResearch in 2008. He developed three automated in vitro systems for gas and methane measurements. Dr. Muetzel’s current work focuses on hydrogen management in the rumen, covering the national methane inventory, early-life interventions, and commercial product development (in vitro and in vivo). Previously, he researched rumen fibre degradation at the University of Hohenheim and biohydrogenation at the Rowett Institute.
Technical University of Munich
The TUM School of Life Sciences is a hub for life science expertise. Embracing the One Health approach, the school explores and educates on subjects ranging from the molecular to the landscape level, with a focus on ecosystem health and resilience, animal and human health, and healthy, sustainable food.
Prof. Julia Steinhoff-Wagner
Prof. Steinhoff-Wagner is Associate Professor Animal Nutrition and Metabolism. Her researches is on the sustainability of feed and food production, using a holistic approach to study biological, technical, and organizational processes. Her work focuses on nutrient cycles (feed to environmental impact) across the value chain, considering animal welfare and consumer safety.
our Mission
Identifying metabolic methane pathways to defeat climate change due to enteric fermentations, supporting:
Animal production
Animal welfare
Environmental Sustainability