Between the laboratory, the computer, and the farm

Anita Ule, a researcher at the Department of Animal Science at the Biotechnical Faculty, describes her work as a form of detective investigation, using computers to sift through vast amounts of data. She explains that her computer is an indispensable tool, helping to uncover stories within numbers that would otherwise remain unseen.

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I use the computer most often, which is indispensable in our work, as we collect and process a large amount of data. Sometimes I joke that my computer is a kind of detective – it helps find stories in a multitude of numbers and data that we would never notice with the naked eye.

Ule's passion for science stems from a childhood curiosity about the world. She pursued a research path because it offered answers to her many "why" questions. Interestingly, she notes that each solved question opens up a host of new inquiries, fueling her continuous exploration.

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Science offers us answers to many questions. Since childhood, I have been pestering everything around me with 'why' questions, so the research path was a logical choice for me.

Her research focuses on the genetic makeup of farm animals. The primary goal is to identify animals that can efficiently utilize natural resources and to develop farming methods that ensure animal well-being. Ule emphasizes the importance of public awareness regarding agriculture's role, noting a growing disconnect between people and the origins of their food.

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In the group, we study the genetic makeup of farm animals. The goal of the research is to find animals that will most easily and best utilize everything that nature offers us. We also look for methods of breeding that ensure animal welfare.

Beyond her research, Ule manages a small sheep farm, which serves as a practical application of her theoretical knowledge. Her parents' farm, focused on dairy cows, includes a small processing plant for fresh dairy products. This hands-on experience, combined with her academic work, underscores her commitment to animal welfare, sustainable food production, and the preservation of rural life.

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All of us working in animal science want to contribute to better animal welfare, the production of safe and quality food, the preservation of nature and life in the countryside.