Dr. Andrew Van Kessel grew up on a dairy farm in Nova Scotia and retains a strong interest in the livestock agriculture. He received his PhD from the University of Saskatchewan, completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization VIDO), and returned to the University of Saskatchewan, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, rising to the rank of Professor. He has served in a number of leadership roles including Acting Associate Dean, Research for the College of Agriculture and Bioresources and Head of the Department of Animal and Poultry Science. Andrew is a member of the board and chair of the Science Advisory Body for Swine Innovation Porc, an organization funded by the swine industry to lead Canada’s national research strategy. He has established gnotobiotic models in swine and poultry to investigate the host/microbial interface and the role of the gut microbiota in contributing to gastrointestinal health, including the discovery and evaluation of antibiotic alternatives. In 2022, Andrew received the Distinguished Agrologist Award in Saskatchewan.