Education 🎓📚
Luis built a robust scientific foundation at three leading Brazilian institutions. He first completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Federal University of Uberlândia, mastering anatomy, physiology and herd health. Seeking deeper production insight, he undertook an Animal Scientist Specialization at the Federal University of Goiás, where he evaluated feedlot bulls for genetic merit 📊🐂. His academic journey culminated in an M.Sc. in Agronomy (Animal Nutrition & Pasture) at USP‑ESALQ, investigating Rhodes‑grass morphology, chemistry and digestibility 🌾🔬. Continuous leadership programs and international management courses now complement these degrees, equipping him to translate complex nutrition science into market impact.
Professional Development 🚀
Over a 25‑year span, Luis has cultivated a rare blend of scientific acuity and commercial savvy, evolving from regional technical advisor to C‑suite innovation strategist 🌟. He sharpened frontline skills at Tortuga, steering feedlot sales teams across São Paulo, Rio and Espírito Santo before managing two research centers and quality programs serving four factories 🔧🏭. Promoted to Director of Innovation & Applied Science for Latin America at DSM, he supervised 25 scientists, delivered 45+ projects annually and drove double‑digit innovation‑sales growth 📈. Since 2019, Switzerland has been his base for global influence: first as Innovation Lead and now as Global Head of Innovation for Ruminants at dsm‑firmenich. There he orchestrates cross‑functional squads that fuse digital tools, precision farming, feed additives and sustainability analytics into market‑ready packages, championing open‑innovation networks with universities and startups 🌐🤝. Frequent symposium keynotes and multicultural immersion continually refine his professional edge.
Research Focus 🔬🐂
Luis’s research orbit centers on sustainable ruminant nutrition—the nexus where animal physiology, feed chemistry and environmental stewardship converge 🌍. He interrogates how vitamins, minerals, enzymes and eubiotics modulate rumen microbiota, oxidative stress and nutrient utilization, striving to boost meat and milk yields while shrinking methane footprints ♻️. His teams prototype precision‑feeding algorithms and digital decision tools that transform on‑farm data into custom ration strategies 📲📊. Another avenue explores mineral matrices and plant‑based bio‑actives as antibiotic alternatives, safeguarding animal health without compromising productivity 🚫💊✅. Fertility enhancement, heat‑stress mitigation and trace‑element bioavailability complete his holistic agenda, weaving genetics, pasture dynamics and gut‑health biomarkers into actionable blueprints. He collaborates with climatologists and data scientists to map emission hotspots and quantify life‑cycle impacts 🌡️🧬. Field trials across Europe and Brazil validate insights, empowering stakeholders to accelerate climate‑smart livestock systems and advance UN SDG 12 🌱📑.
Awards & Honors 🏆
Recognition has accompanied Luis’s path from ranch to boardroom. He earned the coveted “Best in Beef Cattle Production” BeefExpo Award in 2015 🐂🥇, celebrating the tangible gains he delivered in feedlot efficiency and carcass quality. As a sought‑after speaker at international congresses and symposia 🌐🎤, he routinely receives top‑rated speaker badges and invitations to scientific steering committees. Leadership of innovation teams has secured internal accolades at DSM and dsm‑firmenich for revenue‑driving product launches 🚀💡, while peer communities frequently cite his book chapters and 50+ publications for advancing sustainable ruminant farming 📚🌱—each honor underscoring his commitment to uniting animal welfare, producer prosperity and environmental stewardship.
Publication Top Notes
1. Nutritional strategies in ruminants: A lifetime approach
Authors: J McGrath, SM Duval, LFM Tamassia, M Kindermann, RT Stemmler, TS Acedo, et al.
Journal: Research in Veterinary Science, Vol. 116, Pages 28–39
Cited by: 170
Year: 2018
Summary:
This comprehensive review explores nutritional strategies for ruminants across different stages of life—from neonatal to adult stages. It emphasizes the importance of early-life nutrition, precision feeding, and sustainable practices to improve health, productivity, and environmental outcomes in ruminant livestock. Key focus areas include gastrointestinal development, feed efficiency, immune function, and long-term metabolic programming.
2. Feeding the combination of essential oils and exogenous α-amylase increases performance and carcass production of finishing beef cattle
Authors: MAP Meschiatti, VN Gouvêa, LA Pellarin, CDA Batalha, MV Biehl, TS Acedo, et al.
Journal: Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 97(1), Pages 456–471
Cited by: 64
Year: 2019
Summary:
This study investigates the synergistic effects of essential oils and exogenous α-amylase on beef cattle. Results showed significant improvements in feed efficiency, average daily gain, and carcass yield. The inclusion of these additives enhanced nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation.
3. Effect of selected feed additives to improve growth and health of dairy calves
Authors: LFL Salazar, LA Nero, MEM Campos-Galvão, CS Cortinhas, TS Acedo, et al.
Journal: PLOS ONE, Vol. 14(5), Article e0216066
Cited by: 54
Year: 2019
Summary:
This research evaluates the impact of various feed additives—including prebiotics, probiotics, and organic acids—on the health and development of dairy calves. Findings revealed improved weight gain, reduced incidence of diarrhea, and enhanced gut health markers.
4. Effects of a blend of essential oils and exogenous α-amylase in diets containing different roughage sources for finishing beef cattle
Authors: LB Toseti, RS Goulart, VN Gouvêa, TS Acedo, GSFM Vasconcellos, et al.
Journal: Animal Feed Science and Technology, Vol. 269, Article 114643
Cited by: 37
Year: 2020
Summary:
This paper examines how different roughage types interact with feed additives like essential oils and α-amylase in beef cattle diets. The study found that these additives enhance nutrient absorption and performance across various forage bases, supporting dietary flexibility in feedlot operations.
5. Effect of organic sources of minerals on fat-corrected milk yield of dairy cows in confinement
Authors: TA Del Valle, EF Jesus, PG Paiva, VP Bettero, F Zanferari, TS Acedo, et al.
Journal: Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, Vol. 44(3), Pages 103–108
Cited by: 20
Year: 2015
Summary:
The study evaluates the efficacy of organic vs. inorganic mineral sources in dairy cow diets under confinement. It concludes that organic minerals improve milk yield, particularly 3.5% fat-corrected milk, and support better reproductive performance and mineral bioavailability.
✅ Conclusion
Luis Fernando Monteiro Tamassia exemplifies the qualities of a Best Researcher Award recipient. His distinguished career demonstrates scientific depth, innovation leadership, and a deep commitment to sustainable agriculture. His influence spans continents and disciplines, making him not only a leading researcher but a visionary catalyst for global agri-food transformation. Awarding him would recognize not just past accomplishments, but also his ongoing contribution to a more sustainable and ethical future in animal science.