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Ellen Meijer is an Assistant Professor at Utrecht University specializing in animal behavior and welfare within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Her interdisciplinary approach emphasizes the deep interconnection between behavior, health, and welfare in animals. Meijer advocates for understanding animals' relationships and the care they require, which is vital for veterinary professionals. She focuses particularly on food-producing animals such as pigs and cattle, exploring how optimizing production while safeguarding animal welfare presents unique challenges. Meijer utilizes her extensive knowledge in ethology, neurobiology, and (patho)physiology to provide an integrated perspective on animal welfare. Her research examines how early-life experiences impact animal development and wellbeing, which is especially relevant in farm settings where animals undergo various interventions. In her role, she emphasizes the importance of training the next generation of veterinarians to be critical thinkers and compassionate advocates for animal welfare, offering courses and supervising master's students in research projects.
Department of Psychology