Pius B. Mwansa, Ph.D.

Kelowna, British Columbia, V1Y 5Y8 613-***-****

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Summary

Quantitative Geneticist/Biostatistician/Genomic Selection Specialist/Data Scientist

Results-driven and competent quantitative geneticist/Biostatistician with 15+ years of solid experience developing and implementing ground-breaking scientific solutions, attaining actionable results, and enhancing the genetic performance of livestock.

Well-versed in scientific principles, quantitative genetics, biostatistics, bioinformatics, genomics, and development of genomic evaluation pipelines for genetic selection and improvement of domestic animals and fish; have great ability to monitor impact and efficiency of state-of-the-art single-step BLUP genomic evaluations and non-linear models. Proven expertise in devising and utilizing scientific methodologies to predict the genetic performance of economically important traits with impeccable attention to detail and accuracy of prediction. Meticulous researcher with a well-known aptitude to facilitate and navigate ongoing research projects from conception to successful completion, while orchestrating reports to track progress. Excellent statistical analytical capabilities leveraged to assess and interpret data into robust insights to gain actionable outcomes.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

●Quantitative Genetics

●Estimation of Variance Components

●Genomic Evaluations Pipeline Design and Implementation

●Growth-Curve Analysis

●Managing research teams

●Statistical/Biostatistical/Bioinformatics Analyses

●Genomic Analysis and Selection

●Experimental Design

●Linear & non-linear fixed and random effects modeling

●Data Science

●Survival Analysis

●Python(Pandas)/R programming

●Omics Research

●Multidisciplinary R&D approach

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

●Was Owner/CEO of an incorporated Livestock Genetics Consulting Company since 2004, (Kola Genetics Inc.) that carried out single-step BLUP genomic/genetic evaluations for livestock breeding companies

●Predicted and estimated variance-covariance components for swine growth traits and SOW reproductive traits with Animal Model Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (AM-BLUP) approaches for upgrading of needed prediction parameter values in the clients’ weekly genetic evaluations.

●Introduced and estimated modified Richard’s growth curve functions to estimate individual animal live weight, fat and lean depth growth curve parameters (Asymptotes, rates, and inflection points).

Generated annual genetic nucleus’ economic traits’ metrics, including annual phenotypic and genetic trends for Genesus Inc. genetics programs presided by Genesus’ VP in charge of R&D, Dr. R.A. Kemp.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement (CCSI), Ottawa, Canada Aug 2017 – Dec 2020

Data Analyst/Geneticist

Utilized estimated growth curve parameters for prediction of pigs’ weight, fat, and lean depth, at any age in their growth trajectories. Employed modified Richard’s growth curve functions for the estimation of individual animal live weight, fat and lean depth growth curve parameters (asymptotes, rates, and inflection points). Succeeded in developing swine non-linear parametric growth curve models. Assumed and executed assigned responsibilities to drive and complete Genome-Canada projects and other tasks within defined time-frames.

●Estimated variance-covariance components for their swine growth and sow reproductive traits with Animal Model Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (AM-BLUP) approaches for upgrading of values in their weekly genetic evaluations program.

Kola Genetics Inc., Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada May 2005 – Aug 2017

OWNER/CEO

Served as expert Genesus geneticist to develop, manage, and execute weekly genetic evaluation systems for Genesus Inc., a well-known home-grown Canadian swine breeding company. Drafted and dispatched error-free reports to clients and published clients’ swine production and reproduction descriptive statistics data after detailed statistical analysis. I processed large volumes of daily production data structures, as well as managed R&D data. Conducted statistical analysis and prepared reports of noteworthy findings. Conceptualized, organized, and administered weekly genetic/genomic evaluation programs for swine and annual programs for beef, llama, and fish for other Canadian seed-stock companies, such as the Canadian Charolais Association, Canadian Simmental Association, Llama Association of Canada, and Tri-Gen Fish Improvement Inc.

●Prepared annual genetic nucleus’ economic traits’ metrics (production and sow productivity phenotypes), including annual phenotypic and genetic trends for Genesus genetics programs presided by Genesus’ VP in charge of R&D, Dr. R.A. Kemp.

Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 2003 – 2004

Analyst

Generated front-end edit scripts for automated Census of Agriculture data edit and validation engine through proper coordination with other sections. Carried out detailed as well as periodic/topical evaluations of Statistics Canada data for publication.

●Identified and fulfilled research and developmental needs of new Division of Agriculture environmental units by producing accurate reports.

Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 2001 – 2003

Project Officer

Bridged communication gaps between survey headquarters and provincial survey collection centers by acting as a liaison during the development and execution of surveys. Played a significant role in the composition of manuals, including interview specifications, and concepts for interviewers. Exercised personal skills in planning and arranging survey training programs, as well as documenting entry/exit/tracing specifications; Proposed expert-level recommendations to regional staff for resolution of issues related to the survey collection process.

●Ensured unmatched client experience through comprehensive testing of front and back-ends of survey applications.

●Tracked implementation and current performance status of surveys, as well as appraised and disseminated routine reports to Head Office and clients.

Additional Experience as Senior Statistical Officer at Statistics Canada, Research Scientist at Lethbridge Research Center, and Post-Doctoral Fellow at Lethbridge Research Cente; Sessional Lecturer at U of L: 1996-2001.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Breeding & Quantitative Genetics: 1991-1996.

The University Of British Columbia Vancouver, BC, Canada

Dissertation: The Genetic Analysis of Longevity in the Canadian and New Zealand Dairy Herds.

Master Of Science in Animal Breeding & Quantitative Genetics: 1987-1991.

The University Of Alberta Edmonton, AB, Canada

Dissertation: The Effects of Level of Concentrate in the Postweaning Diet on the Ranking of Bulls for Growth Rate, on Reproductive Traits, and Carcass Composition.

Bachelor Of Science in Animal Sciences: 1981-1986.

The University of Zambia Lusaka, Zambia

Dissertation: A Survey of Disease Incidence in Cattle Slaughtered at the Lusaka Abattoir since 1964.

ACCOLADES

CIDA Scholarship (Ph.D. Studies), University of British Columbia, BC, Canada

CIDA Scholarship (M.Sc. Studies), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

Zambia Government Bursary (B.Sc. Studies), Nakambala Prize (Best Graduating Student), University Of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

MODULAR COURSES

Introduction to Bioinformatics, PINE.BIO, edu.t-bio.info

NCR 170 A SAS Mixed Model Workshop, American Society of Animal Science National Meetings, Indianapolis Conversion Centre

Linear models and computing strategies, University of Guelph, Guelph

Data Interpretation Workshop, Statistics Canada, Ottawa

Building Applications in Word, Excel & Access, Statistics Canada, Ottawa

Project Management: Fundamentals, Statistics Canada, Ottawa

Data Validation Methods, Statistics Canada, Ottawa

Survey Skills Development Course, Statistics Canada, Ottawa

Client Services and Assertiveness Skills, Statistics Canada, Ottawa

Survey Design and Analysis, Statistics Canada, Ottawa

Orientation to Survey Operations Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa

Intranet and Outlook, Statistics Canada, Ottawa

Interviewing Skills, Statistics Canada, Ottawa

Refusal Avoidance and Conversion, Statistics Canada, Ottawa

Blaise Auto Scheduler, Statistics Canada, Ottawa

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

President of the African Association of Southern Alberta based in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

The judge at the Lethbridge Regional Science Fair. Group projects (grade 4 6). Biology section

Parent assistant at the UBC childcare TILLICUM daycare in Vancouver, Canada

President of Southern African Cultural & Development Organization (SACUDO), Edmonton, AB, Canada

Treasurer for the African Association of Alberta (AAA) based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Treasurer for the African Student Association (ASA), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Chairman of the editorial board for University of Zambia School of Agricultural Sciences newsletter (AGROPACK)

PUBLICATIONS

Pius B. Mwansa. 1996. The genetic analysis of longevity in the Canadian and New Zealand dairy herds. Ph.D. Thesis. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Pius B. Mwansa. 1991. The effects of level of concentrate in the post-weaning diet on the ranking of bulls for growth rate, on reproductive traits, and carcass composition. M.Sc. Thesis. The University of Alberta. Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Pius B. Mwansa. 1986. A survey of disease incidence in cattle slaughtered at the Lusaka abattoir since 1964. B.Sc. Dissertation. University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.

MANUSCRIPTS, TECHNICAL REPORTS, & CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS ABSTRACTS

1.Patrick GAGNON, Laurence MAIGNEL, Pius MWANSA and Brian SULLIVAN. 2020. Actualisation des méthodes d’ajustement des caractères du contrôle de performances à la ferme dans le Programme canadien pour l’amélioration génétique des porcs. JRP. (In press)

2.P. B. Mwansa. 2018. Technical Report – Inbreeding: Not all is Gloom and Doom. Genesus, Canada

3.P. B. Mwansa. 2017. Minding Your Gilts’ Prenatal Environment. Genesus, Canada

4.P. B. Mwansa. 2017. Breeding A Robust Pig. Technical Report. Genesus, Canada

5.P. B. Mwansa. 2016. Parity Distribution Affects the Economic Performance of Swine Herds. Technical Report. Genesus, Canada.

6.P. B. Mwansa. 2016. Genetics of Teat Number in Swine. Technical Report. Genesus, Canada.

7.P. B. Mwansa. 2015. Understanding the Lag of Genetic Improvement Transfer from Nucleus to Commercial Units. Technical Report. Genesus, Canada.

8.P. B. Mwansa. 2015. Sow Removal. Technical Report. Genesus, Canada.

9.P. B. Mwansa. 2015. Selection Accuracy. Technical Report. Genesus, Canada.

10.P. B. Mwansa. 2014. Puberty. Technical Report. Genesus, Canada.

11.P. B. Mwansa. 2014. Weaning to Service Interval. Technical Report. Genesus, Canada

12.N. J. Boddicker, P. B. Mwansa, and R.A. Kemp. 2014. Identification of Genomic Regions Association with Swine Growth. WCGALP, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

13.P. B. Mwansa. 2013. Sow Longevity. Technical Report. Genesus, Canada.

14.P. B. Mwansa. 2013. Understanding the Lag of Genetic Improvement Transfer from Nucleus to Commercial Units. Technical Report. Genesus, Canada.

15.Mwansa and Ray Bollman. 2005. Community demographic trends within their regional context in Rural and Small-Town Canada Analysis Bulletin. Statistics Canada. Vol. 6 No. 3.

16.P. B. Mwansa. 2004. Growing dominance of a few large poultry farms-a continuing legacy. Agriculture at a glance. Statistics Canada. Pg 233-239.

17.P. B. Mwansa, D. H. Crews, JR., J. W. Wilton, and R. A. Kemp. 2002. Multiple trait selection for maternal productivity in beef cattle. J. Anim. Breed. Gen. 119:391-399.

18.P. B. Mwansa, R. A. Kemp, Crews, D. H. Jr., J. P. Kastelic, D. R. C. Bailey and G. H. Coulter. 2000. Comparison of models for genetic evaluation of scrotal circumference in crossbred bulls. J. Anim. Sci. 78:275 282.

19.P.K. Charagu, D. H. Crews, Jr., R.A. Kemp, and P. B. Mwansa. 2000. Machine effects on the accuracy of ultrasonic prediction of back fat and ribeye area in beef bulls, steers, and heifers. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 80:19 24.

20.P. B. Mwansa, R. A. Kemp, D. H. Crews Jr., J. P. Kastelic, D. R. C. Bailey and G. H. Coulter. 2000. Selection for cow lifetime pregnancy rate using bull and heifer growth and reproductive traits in composite cattle. Technical note. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 80: 507 5 10.

21.C. Gallivan, D. H. Crews Jr., P. B. Mwansa, and R. A. Kemp. 2000. Characterization of Maternal Productivity in the Hereford Breed. J. Anim. Sci. 78 (Suppl. 1): 65.

22.P. B. Mwansa, R. A. Kemp, D. H. Crews. Jr., and J. P. Kastelic. 1999. Heifers born heavier and achieving superior pre and post-weaning average daily weight gains show potential for above-average first and lifetime pregnancy rates. Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) 31st Annual Meeting & Research Symposium. Roanoke, Virginia.

23.P. B. Mwansa, R. A. Kemp, D. H. Crews. Jr., J. P. Kastelic, D. R. C. Bailey and G. H. Coulter. 1999. Genetic and phenotypic relationships among bull and heifer reproductive traits in a multi-breed beef cattle population. J. Anim Sci. 77 (Suppl. 1): 132.

24.P. B. Mwansa, and R. A. Kemp. 1998. The use of related traits improves the accuracy of EPD for scrotal circumference. Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) 30th Annual Meeting & Research Symposium. Calgary, Alberta. P. 256.

25.P. B. Mwansa, and R. A. Kemp. 1998. Comparisons of models for the analysis of scrotal circumference in a multibred beef cattle population. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 78:753.

26.P. B. Mwansa, and R. A. Kemp. 1998. Genetic parameter estimates among serial scrotal circumference measures in a multibred beef cattle population. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 78:753.

27.P. B. Mwansa, and R. Peterson. 1998. Estimates of GxE effects for longevity among daughters of Canadian and New Zealand sires in Canadian and New Zealand dairy herds. Proceedings of the 1998 Interbull Meeting. Rotorua, New Zealand. Bulletin No. 17. P 110.

28.P. B. Mwansa, M. Makarechian, and R. T. Berg. 1992. The effect of level of concentrate in feedlot diets on the health status of beef calves. Can. Vet. J. 33:665 668.

29.P. B. Mwansa, and M. Makarechian. 1991. The effect of post-weaning level of dietary energy on sex drive and semen quality of young beef bulls. Theriogenology. 35:11691178.

30.P. B. Mwansa, M. Makarechian, T. V. Komary, G. Minchau, and J. Welch. 1991. A continuous high plane of nutrition is found to reduce semen quality in bulls. 70th Annual Feeders' Day Report. Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin. Edmonton, Alberta. P 47.

31.P. B. Mwansa, M. Makarechian, R. T. Berg, G. Minchau, and J. Welch. 1991. A high plane of nutrition increases the risk of respiratory infections in the feedlot. 70th Annual Feeders' Day Report. Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin. Edmonton, Alberta. P 49.

32.P. B. Mwansa, M. Makarechian and P. F Arthur. 1990. The effect of changes in the postweaning level of concentrate feeding on the ranking of young bulls for growth rate. Can. J. Anim. Sci. p 1171.

33.P. B. Mwansa, M. Makarechian and P. F Arthur. 1990. The effect of level of concentrate in the diet on the ranking of young bulls for post-weaning gain. 69th Annual Feeders' Day Report. Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin. Edmonton, Alberta. P 69.

34.P. B. Mwansa, M. Makarechian, and P. F. Arthur. 1989. The effect of breed group and level of energy in the diet on post-weaning growth of young bulls. Can. J. Anim. Sci. p 113 5.

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