Olav Reksen

Olav Reksen is a Professor at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), where he specializes in large animal reproduction and obstetrics. He is affiliated with the Section for Outpatient Clinic and Herd Medicine and has been a key figure in veterinary research, particularly in dairy cow health and reproduction. He served as head of the Department of Production Animal Medicine during two periods: 2010–2014 and 2018–2021.

His research focuses on dairy cow reproduction, udder health, mastitis, somatic cell count dynamics, and metabolic disorders. He has extensively studied reproductive performance in Norwegian and Tanzanian cattle systems, incorporating advanced techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for milk analysis and mathematical modeling of infection transmission. His work bridges clinical practice, epidemiology, and data-driven diagnostics in veterinary science.

His recent publications (2020–2024) show a strong trend toward integrating sensor data, spectroscopic methods, and modeling to improve herd health monitoring. Themes include automatic milking systems, subclinical ketosis detection, pathogen-specific milking patterns, and transmission dynamics of intramammary infections. These works reflect a shift toward precision livestock farming and real-time health assessment using non-invasive technologies.

Although no scientific awards are mentioned in the provided text, his long publication record in high-impact journals such as Journal of Dairy Science, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, and Theriogenology underscores his academic influence. He has supervised or collaborated with numerous researchers, especially on projects involving reproductive management, calf health, and dairy herd monitoring in both developed and low-resource settings.

Olav Reksen has been actively involved in grant-funded research, particularly on reproductive performance, antibiotic resistance, and herd health in Norwegian Red Cattle, as well as smallholder dairy systems in Tanzania and Malawi. His leadership roles and sustained research output indicate ongoing involvement in both national and international veterinary research initiatives.

He is associated with clinical and research teams focused on herd medicine and outpatient services, contributing to both academic training and practical veterinary care. His work often involves interdisciplinary collaboration with statisticians, microbiologists, and agricultural scientists to address complex animal health challenges.