Dr. Manuel Juárez Davila

Biography

Dr. Manuel Juárez is Director of the Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He provides strategic leadership to advance evidence-based policy, stakeholder engagement, and interdisciplinary research that support innovation and sustainability across Canada's agri-food sector.

Dr. Juárez began his career as a veterinarian in Finland, specializing in dairy and swine health. He subsequently earned an MBA and a PhD in Animal Production, complemented by research experience in Ireland and Italy. He later worked in the private sector in southern Spain, developing solutions for goat and swine production systems.

In 2009, Dr. Juárez moved to Canada as a postdoctoral fellow and, in 2011, he became the new Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as Livestock Phenomics Scientist. Over the following years, he led research integrating livestock genomics and phenotypic analysis to better understand how genetic and environmental factors influence animal performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. His work focused on optimizing livestock production systems to enhance profitability, product quality, and sustainability.

Drawing on experience spanning veterinary medicine, industry, government research, and academia, Dr. Juárez works collaboratively with partners across the public and private sectors to bridge research, policy, and practice. His current work focuses on mobilizing agri-food research, strengthening public understanding of complex food system issues, and informing evidence-based policy decisions that contribute to a resilient and sustainable future for Canadian agriculture.