Rate My Professor Julius van der Werf

Professor van der Werf specializes in quantitative genetics and animal breeding, focusing on genetic parameter estimation using mixed and random regression models, genomic prediction and association studies, and optimization of breeding programs. He has edited influential books including Animal Breeding: Use of New Technologies (2000), Adaptation and Fitness in Animal Populations (2009), and Genome-Wide Association Studies and Genomic Prediction (2013). Among his highly cited papers are "Genetic and statistical properties of residual feed intake" (1993) and "The importance of information on relatives for the prediction of genomic breeding values" (2012). In 2021, he received the Helen Newton Turner Medal for his contributions to animal breeding genetics. He serves as Co-Editor in Chief of Genetics, Selection, and Evolution since 2002 and Associate Editor of the Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics since 2003. Van der Werf has held leadership roles such as President of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (Australasia) from 2005 to 2007 and continues on the Technical Committee of Sheep Genetics since 2005. He has delivered international postgraduate courses in several countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, and the Netherlands.