A (Arya) Rezaei Far, MSc

My research explores the dynamic interaction between nutrition and health in poultry. I study how nutritional interventions influence metabolism and resistance to diseases, and assess potential negative impacts of dietary changes and nutritional strategies, such as effects on vaccination response and gut functionality in broilers and laying hens. My goal is to enhance the resilience of poultry within a sustainable agroecosystem, contributing to animal welfare and global food security.

At Wageningen Livestock Research, I am actively involved in national and international projects on circular agrifood systems and sustainability in poultry nutrition. My research includes evaluating alternative and locally sourced feed ingredients, developing circular diets and reducing crude protein and phosphorus levels in poultry feed, all while assessing their impacts on the health and resilience of poultry.

Innovations in animal nutrition are essential for achieving sustainable agroecosystems. However, such innovations often have multifaceted impacts. I believe they must be carefully translated into locally adapted solutions to build a more resilient food production system. For example, insects reared on agri-food side streams provide sustainable, health-promoting ingredients with a lower environmental footprint, while also offering a dual solution for regions facing feed ingredient volatility and agrifood waste challenges. Similarly, lowering crude protein levels in poultry diets can reduce nitrogen emissions and reliance on soybean meal, while supporting regions dealing with food-feed competition over protein-rich resources. Understanding and managing the complex effects of these innovations on poultry health is crucial to ensure they truly enhance resilience and sustainability. 

I graduated as a Poultry Veterinarian (DVSc in Avian Diseases) from the University of Tehran, where I researched Newcastle Disease, vaccination failure, and the role of nutritional interventions in vaccination response. After working for four years in the poultry industry, where I supported the sector through an integrated approach to preventive health, I attended Wageningen University and Research to further specialise in poultry nutrition and sustainability through the Master’s program in Animal Science in 2018. Since 2021, I have worked as a researcher in the Poultry Nutrition team at Wageningen Livestock Research (WLR). In 2024, alongside my role at WLR, I began a PhD at the Animal Nutrition Department, focusing on the effects of bioactive compounds in Black Soldier Fly larvae on poultry health. I integrate knowledge of animal nutrition and physiology, host-microbe interactions, and precision livestock farming to develop preventive health strategies that enhance poultry resilience and support healthy agroecosystems.