Christina Hölzel

Prof. Dr. Christina Hölzel serves as Veterinary Specialist in Microbiology and Head of the Animal Hygiene, Animal Health and Food Hygiene Working Group at Kiel University's Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry. Her research bridges veterinary science, food safety, and agricultural systems with primary focus on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) transmission pathways in livestock production.

Her research program centers on AMR dynamics in dairy and swine systems, investigating how farming practices influence resistance gene dissemination from animals to food products. Key themes include microbial ecology in milk and meat matrices, disinfectant efficacy against resistant pathogens, and environmental impacts of agricultural chemicals on microbiota. Recent work examines herbicide-microbiome interactions in aquatic environments and advanced molecular detection methods for foodborne pathogens.

Analysis of her 2021-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in farm-to-fork AMR tracking, particularly in pork and dairy chains, with growing emphasis on microbiome approaches to understand host-pathogen-environment interactions. Her methodology integrates molecular epidemiology, proteomics, and field-based intervention studies.

Dr. Hölzel leads the Animal Hygiene, Animal Health and Food Hygiene Working Group, which develops evidence-based protocols for reducing AMR spread through improved husbandry practices and hygiene interventions. The team collaborates with agricultural stakeholders and food safety authorities to translate research into practical farm management strategies.