My research program is focused on microbial activities and applications in agroecosystems, including enhancement of livestock digestion using microbial derived hydrolytic enzymes, development of microbial communities in the gastrointestinal tract, water and biosolids (e.g., compost and manure) and interactions of microbes with ruminant animals and arthropods. Projects currently underway include i) the characterization of a novel family of phytate degrading enzymes related to protein tyrosine phosphatases, ii) the effect of dietary fibre on gastrointestinal tract microbial communities, iii) the ecoenzymology of prion digestion in compost, iv) the prevalence and diversity of campylobacters in local surface waters and v) microbial antibiotic resistance in feedlot cattle. I am currently the director of the Centre for Research on Advanced Phytases (CRAP) and focus much of my research efforts on characterizing phytase activity in the rumen. Other Research

Topics:

• Biocontrol agents for cattle ectoparasites 
• Microflora of surface waters
• Genetics of fibre digestion by ruminal microorganisms
• Determination of factors affecting diapause in horn fly