Dr. Maristela Rovai, DVM

Associate Professor / Extension Dairy Specialist

South Dakota State University - DEPT. DAIRY & FOOD SCIENCE

1111 College Ave. Alfred Dairy Hall. 113N (Dairy Science)
APT A
Brookings, SD 57007
United States

(w) (605) 592-0120

About

Maristela Rovai is a veterinarian from Brazil with an MSc & Ph.D. degree in Veterinary with an emphasis in Animal Science (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain). She had postdoc positions in the USA (UW-Madison and E. (Kika) de la Garza American Institute for Goat Research-Langston University) and Europe (TUM in Germany and UAB-Spain), working in animal science with an emphasis on the mammary gland physiology and ruminant management. Rovai’s research activity has involved studies on milkability in dairy ruminants (goats, sheep, camels, and cows), with a strong focus on milking technology, milk quality improvement, mastitis, and the impact of IMI on technological properties of milk and cheese. Rovai has published more than 50 scientific and extension papers and has mentored graduate students who pursued their master’s or Ph.D. degrees in Animal Science.
Currently, she is an Associate Professor / Extension Dairy Specialist at the Department of Dairy and Food Science at the South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. Rovai has a 30% teaching and research appointment (Physiology of Lactation and Dairy Challenge) and a 70% extension. Rovai's main responsibilities: 1) develop Extension programs to improve milk production and quality, 2) assist dairy producers and industry personnel with workforce development, and 3) educate to achieve best farm management practices.