Dr. Katherina (Karin) Wittenberg developed a lifelong passion for agriculture while growing up on a mixed farm near Woodlands, Manitoba. She completed her B.Sc. in Agriculture and her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Animal Science at the University of Manitoba before joining the University as an Assistant Professor in 1985. In 2000, she was appointed the first female Department Head in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS), and in 2014 became the first woman to hold the position of Dean in the 108-year history of the Faculty. In 2020, Karin retired from full-time academic work but has continued to contribute to the Faculty as Dean Emeritus.

As Professor of Ruminant Nutrition,

  • Karin’s research generated the first field-based greenhouse gas emissions measurements for Canadian cattle production systems. The data was used by Environment Canada to quantify greenhouse gas emissions from the beef sector in Canada, ensuring government was using accurate values for national and international accounting, as well as to empower producers to better understand strategies to improve production efficiency while reducing their environmental footprint.
  • Served two terms as the only international member of the National Academy of Sciences (Washington, DC) Committee on Animal Nutrition, which established internationally recognized nutrient requirement standards for farm livestock, laboratory animals and companion animals – still used today.
  • Was appointed to the Royal Society of Canada’s Expert Panel on Future Policy for Food Biotechnology in Canada, to review the risks related to food derived from genetically modified organisms. The result was release of the report: “Elements of precaution: Recommendations for the regulation of food biotechnology in Canada”.

As Head of the Dept. of Animal Science, Karin led and implemented the department’s first strategic plan and the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences’ first strategic research plan.

  • Implementation of the Faculty’s Strategic Research plan while serving as Associate Dean (Research) resulted in a 12% increase in annual number of successful contracts and grants, with total annual awards increasing by 76% from $12.3 M to $21.6 M.
  • She led the establishment of the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment (NCLE) at the U of M, supporting a multi-disciplinary research team focused on long-term improvement of livestock production systems with respect to environmental, economic and human health. Karin led applications to the Canada Foundation for Innovation and other funding sources to acquire more than $16 million of infrastructure funding to support the team. Today, NCLE plays a major role in training and research to address complex economic, social and environmental issues facing animal agriculture such as managing odour, water quality, greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient use.
  • She also led the conceptual development, fundraising and construction for the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre (FFDC) which opened in 2011. This $7 M facility features fun, interactive displays and programming to help consumers, school children, and the general public to understand the role of science and technology in food production and to strengthen public trust in our food system. The Centre has attracted more than 50,000 visitors to date. The FFDC has also served to influence the perspectives of many teachers in our province who in turn impact many of their students – thereby multiplying the Centre’s impact.

As Dean, she facilitated the integration of two external departments (Human Nutritional Sciences and Textile Sciences) into the Faculty and oversaw the transfer of governance for the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals (now known as the Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research) to the Faculty. These transfers of staff and infrastructure have paved the way for a stronger and more integrated and collaborative approach to food and health research and education.

  • She initiated the review and renewal of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences’ B.Sc. (degree) and Agriculture Diploma programs to ensure that current and future graduates of the Faculty are equipped with the knowledge needed to address the challenges facing a rapidly changing ag sector.
  • Working with the Manitoba Association of Home Economists, Manitoba Home Economics Teachers Association, and the Faculty of Education she created a more direct pathway for agriculture, food science, and human nutritional science students to enter the Faculty of Education.
  • Karin served as a role model and supportive mentor to women in agriculture and initiated the Indigenization of Faculty and curriculum.

In recognition of her contributions, Karin has received a variety of local and national awards from science peers, industry, and community, including the Canadian Society of Animal Science Award for Excellence in Nutrition and Meat Science, YMCA-YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Science and Innovation, Manitoba Pork Council Education Award, Canadian Society of Animal Science Fellowship award, Canadian Society of Animal Science Honorary Lifetime Membership, as well as Dean Emeritus from the University of Manitoba.