Han van der Kolk: Chief Veterinary Officer & Quality Officer

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Han van der Kolk as Chief Veterinary Officer & Quality Officer. Han, a highly respected veterinarian and academic, joined the team on June 1st, and as of September, he has expanded his role to four days per week.

With an impressive career in veterinary medicine, welfare, and research, Han brings a wealth of experience to SFR. His knowledge will ensure that SFR continues to uphold the highest standards in animal welfare and quality control. Han’s expertise in metabolism, stress, and nutrition aligns perfectly with SFR’s mission to develop scientifically backed nutritional solutions for the livestock sector. Han joins SFR from Aeres University of Applied Sciences, where he worked as an all-around lecturer in animal health, teaching anatomy, animal health, and nutrition. His career began at Utrecht University, where he conducted research on stress, metabolism, and endocrinology in livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. His research into the metabolism of nutrients fits seamlessly with SFR’s ambitions to enhance feed digestion research.

At SFR, Han will play a crucial role in strengthening our research efforts, particularly in the areas of fat digestion and metabolism. His expertise will enable SFR to conduct in-depth studies, even at the mitochondrial level, to analyze how fats are metabolized. This could contribute to improving feed efficiency.

In addition, Han will lead efforts to further strengthen animal welfare at SFR. As Chair of the Animal Welfare Body (AWB) at SFR, and with his chairmanship of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees at Radboud University and Maastricht University, Han will advocate for the careful use of animals in research. He will also share his knowledge with colleagues working with animals in research, ensuring they receive the necessary training following graduation.

“We are thrilled to have Han join our team,” said Francesc Molist, Manager of R&D at SFR. “His extensive experience and knowledge will certainly help us elevate the quality of our research and the welfare of our animals to an even higher level, ensuring that SFR remains a leader in these areas.” Han will also be presenting webinars on topics such as metabolism, stress, and welfare, allowing our clients to benefit from his in-depth knowledge in these fields.

Han: “I am fully committed to working at SFR for the coming years, focusing on further improving the quality of animal welfare and research at SFR. My goal is to ensure that the team is equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to maintain animal welfare and research at the highest level, keeping SFR at the forefront of the sector.”

Animal Welfare at SFR

At SFR, animal welfare is always a top priority. We place great importance on the integrity of animals and ensure that our research practices respect their natural behaviour and well-being. This includes:

• Pigs with natural tail length, as opposed to routine tail docking.
• Laying hens with intact beaks, promoting their natural behaviour.
• Cows with access to pasture, allowing them to graze freely.
• Encouraging group housing for all species, facilitating social interaction and reducing stress.

SFR remains committed to maintaining the highest achievable level of animal welfare within all our research facilities.