Herman Barkema

Herman Barkema

DVM, PhD, FCAHS

Positions

Professor in Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Fulltime

NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Infectious Diseases of Dairy Cattle

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Affiliations

Professor in Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Community Health Sciences

Full Member

The Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases

Contact information

Email

barkema@ucalgary.ca

Phone number

Office: +1 (403) 220-2659

Background

Educational Background

Doctor of Philosophy Vet Medicine & Vet Science, Utrecht University, 1998

D.V.M. Veterinary Medicine, State University of Utrecht, 1988

Biography

Dr. Herman Barkema completed his DVM degree at Utrecht University, The Netherlands, in 1988. He spent two and a half years as manager of a large dairy and beef herd in Costa Rica, then taught bovine herd health at Utrecht University and worked as an epidemiologist for the Dutch Animal Health Service while completing his PhD. In 2001, Dr. Barkema moved to the University of PEI. He subsequently moved to the University of Calgary, where he founded UCVM’s Department of Production Animal Health. He currently is Professor in Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases at UCVM and NSERC Industrial Research in Infectious Diseases of Dairy Cattle, with a joint appointment in the Department of Community Health Sciences of the Cumming School of Medicine. He is also Foreign Expert at the China Agricultural University in Beijing. Dr. Barkema’s research program focuses on prevention and control of diseases in cattle herds, including antimicrobial resistance. He has published >400 scientific manuscripts and has lectured all over the world. He leads the Antimicrobial Resistance – One Health Consortium, and One Health at the University of Calgary. Dr. Barkema is a Board Member of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

Research / Scholarly Activities

The over-all goal of my research program is to ensure a safe and economical food supply with reduced risks of transmission of zoonotic diseases to farm families and the general public. I have two main research interests; the first is to prevent and control infectious diseases on dairy farms, primarily mastitis and Johne’s disease, including both animal and public health perspectives. New prevention and control programs in Canada, The Netherlands, and other countries have been introduced or changed based on results of my research. My second main research interest involves interactions among hosts, microbes and the environment in antimicrobial resistance.

My research projects are conducted by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, often with assistance of summer students. Because I value a multidisciplinary education of these graduate students, all of my graduate students are co-supervised by a faculty member with a complimentary expertise, most often a basic scientist. Knowledge transfer and exchange is a logical and important extension of my research program.

Research

Areas of Research

Clinical Science
Epidemiology
Immunology and Infectious Disease
Production Animal Health
Activities

NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Infectious Diseases of Dairy Cattle

Director, One Health at UCalgary

Director, AMR – One Health Consortium

Lead, University of Calgary Biostatistics Centre

 

Participation in university strategic initiatives

Infections, inflammation and chronic diseases

One health

Awards

  • University of Calgary Killam Annual Professorship, University of Calgary. 2019
  • Elanco Award for Excellence in Dairy Science, American Dairy Science Assocation. 2018
  • Journal of Dairy Science Most Cited Award, Elsevier and Journal of Dairy Science . 2018
  • UCVM’s Award for Research Excellence, Unversity of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. 2018
  • UCVM’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Graduate Supervision, University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. 2017
  • Guest professor Ghent University, Belgium, Dept. of Obstetrics, Fertility and Herd Health, Ghent University, Belgium. 2016
  • Highly Cited Researcher, Thomson Reuters ISI. 2016
  • Highly Cited Researcher, Thomson Reuters ISI. 2015
  • Journal of Dairy Science Most Cited Award, Elsevier and Journal of Dairy Science . 2015
  • Peak Scholar in Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Knowledge Engagement, University of Calgary. 2015
  • Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. 2014
  • Journal of Dairy Science Most Cited Award, Elsevier and Journal of Dairy Science . 2014
  • University of Calgary Teaching Award for Curriculum Development, University of Calgary. 2014
  • Guest professor Ghent University, Belgium, 2013
  • West Agro Inc Award, 2013
  • West Agro, Inc. Award, American Dairy Science Association . 2013
  • Journal of Dairy Science Most Cited Award, Elsevier and Journal of Dairy Science . 2011
  • Intervet/Schering-Plough Award, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. 2010
  • Guest professor Ghent University, Belgium, Dept. of Obstetrics, Fertility and Herd Health, Ghent University, Belgium. 2008
  • Merit Award for Scholarly Achievement, University of Prince Edward Island Faculty Association. 2006
  • Pfizer Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teacher Award (Nominated), 2006
  • Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence, Atlantic Veterinary College. 2005
  • Pfizer Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teacher Award (Nominated), 2005
  • Dutch Veterinary Journal, 2002
  • Dutch Veterinary Journal, 1994
  • Plowright Prize , Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. 2022

Publications