معرفی
Dr. Francisca Velkers is an Associate Professor in the Farm Animal Health department at Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Her work focuses on poultry health and infectious disease epidemiology, with particular expertise in gut health, microbiome research, antimicrobial resistance, and avian influenza transmission dynamics.
Dr. Velkers holds a Senior Qualification Research (2023), a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences with specialization in Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (2006), and is a diplomate of the European College of Poultry Veterinary Science since 2012. She also obtained her Basic Education Qualification in 2013.
Her research primarily centers on poultry gut health—including the microbiome, antimicrobial resistance, and biosecurity—as well as the introduction and transmission of infectious diseases within and between poultry farms, with a particular emphasis on avian influenza. She investigates transmission pathways of pathogens like Eimeria, Salmonella, and avian influenza viruses, examining how environmental factors, farm management practices, and host characteristics influence disease spread. Dr. Velkers frequently employs multidisciplinary approaches, integrating field epidemiology with laboratory-based microbiome analysis and mathematical modeling.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong focus on avian influenza transmission dynamics, antimicrobial resistance in poultry production systems, gut microbiome development in broilers, and novel methods for disease detection and prevention. Her work spans from fundamental microbiome research to applied surveillance studies with direct implications for farm biosecurity and disease control.
- Senior Qualification Research (2023)
- European poultry specialist diplomate (2012)
- Basic Education Qualification (2013)
Dr. Velkers actively mentors PhD students and collaborates with partner institutes both within the Netherlands and internationally on multidisciplinary projects. Her research has been supported by various grants focused on poultry health, infectious disease transmission, and antimicrobial resistance. She is particularly engaged in projects examining the interface between wildlife and poultry production systems, especially regarding avian influenza transmission pathways.
Her work contributes significantly to understanding and mitigating disease risks in poultry production through improved biosecurity measures, surveillance strategies, and evidence-based interventions that balance animal health, welfare, and food safety considerations.
