Thirteen doctoral candidates, one shared mission: shaping a more sustainable future for European livestock production.
The FEATURE project has reached an exciting milestone: all 13 doctoral candidates (DCs) have started their research journeys! Bringing together emerging researchers with diverse backgrounds and expertise, FEATURE is building a new generation of scientists equipped to address some of the most pressing challenges facing European livestock production.
Funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks, FEATURE — Future feeds for sustainability in European livestock production — aims to explore how alternative feed resources can contribute to more sustainable, circular and resilient livestock systems.
Through research, international collaboration and specialised training, the 13 doctoral candidates will investigate innovative approaches to animal nutrition, environmental sustainability and the future of European food systems.
Starting the journey: Personal development and mentoring
Joining FEATURE marks the beginning of an ambitious scientific and professional development journey.
As part of their onboarding, the doctoral candidates have been working on their individual Doctoral Candidate Development Plans (DCDPs) and participating in mentoring sessions with their supervisors. These personalised development plans are a central element of FEATURE’s training programme. They help each researcher identify their training needs, establish professional development objectives and select activities that support their scientific interests and career aspirations.
Working closely with their supervisors, the candidates will continue to develop and update these plans throughout their doctoral journey, combining scientific training with transferable skills, international networking and professional development opportunities. This personalised approach reflects FEATURE’s commitment not only to advancing scientific knowledge but also to preparing doctoral candidates for future careers in academia, industry and other sectors.
Meet the researchers: Different backgrounds, one shared ambition
The 13 FEATURE doctoral candidates bring a variety of educational backgrounds, research interests and experiences to the network. Their individual projects address different aspects of sustainable livestock feeding, while contributing to a common goal: identifying practical and scientifically sound alternatives to conventional feed resources.
For Marianna Kujawa, based at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, the research journey focuses on investigating oil-rich food industry co-products as alternative protein sources for dairy cows. Her work will explore opportunities to reduce dependence on conventional protein feeds, improve resource efficiency and potentially mitigate methane emissions.
Reflecting on joining the network, Marianna shares:
“Being part of FEATURE aligns with my values and qualities, I believe that this project will contribute to shaping a more sustainable agriculture across Europe.”
Noell Santos, based at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in Granada, will investigate locally available food industry co-products as alternative feed ingredients for dairy ewes. His research aims to generate evidence that can help farmers and nutritionists develop more sustainable and economically viable feeding strategies.
For Noell, the opportunity to connect research with real-world challenges is particularly important:
“What I look forward to the most in FEATURE is delivering evidence-based feeding solutions that simultaneously lower enteric methane emissions and ease the financial burden on farmers facing volatile feed costs.”
Meanwhile, Anannya Misra, based at KU Leuven in Belgium, will investigate the potential of food industry co-products as alternative protein feeds for pigs, including their effects on animal performance, feed efficiency and gut health.
Anannya highlights the importance of exploring alternatives to imported feeds and working across disciplines:
“With increasing concerns on imported animal feeds, I am interested in exploring how co-products from the food industry can serve as potential alternatives.”
These perspectives reflect the diversity of research approaches within FEATURE and the shared enthusiasm for developing sustainable solutions through scientific collaboration.
What’s next? FEATURE’s first Training School in Granada
The FEATURE doctoral candidates are already preparing for their next milestone: the 1st Training School on Feed Evaluation Techniques for the Reduction and Replacement of Animal Use in Research, taking place in Granada, Spain, from 16–18 November 2026.
This three-day event will bring together doctoral candidates and experts from across the FEATURE network to explore innovative feed evaluation techniques, exchange knowledge and strengthen their scientific skills.
Stay tuned! We will soon share highlights and insights from this first training experience!
A journey worth following
The arrival of all 13 doctoral candidates marks an important new chapter for FEATURE.
Over the coming years, these early-career researchers will contribute to developing knowledge and evidence that can support the transition towards more sustainable livestock feeding practices across Europe.
Their journey will extend beyond laboratory and field research through international training schools, scientific collaboration, industry secondments and professional development opportunities.
And this is only the beginning!
Stay connected with FEATURE as we introduce our doctoral candidates, share insights from their research and follow their experiences throughout the project.
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