Biography
Dr. Jeferson Lourenco started his career managing commercial farms in Brazil (dairy and beef-producing farms) and accumulated almost a decade of experience in that role. After moving to the U.S., he pursued his Masters and PhD at the University of Georgia. His master’s program focused on feeds and nutrition of ruminants, while his PhD studies expanded into the fields of microbiology and bioinformatics.
Dr. Lourenco has been working with microbiology applied to animal sciences, bioinformatics, and biostatistics utilizing several animal species (particularly cattle, chicken, and swine). His research relies heavily on metagenomic approaches, however, he is also interested in the biologically relevant metabolites (e.g. short chain fatty acids) produced by microorganisms, which may have a significant impact on animal health and productivity.
B.S., State University of Maringá (Brazil)
D.V.M., Unicesumar (Brazil)
M.S., University of Georgia
Ph.D., University of Georgia
Research Interests
Dr. Lourenco is interested in using metagenomics and bioinformatics approaches to understand the biological relationship between animals and their microbial populations (their microbiota), including their metabolites. The main purpose of his research is to understand how the host-microbe interactions affect animal health, productivity, the quality of final products (e.g. meat and dairy products), and the excretion of nutrients to the environment.
Courses Taught
ADSC 8160 – Applied Microbiome Bioinformatics
Refereed Research Articles
1) Al Hakeem, Walid G., Emily E. Cason, Daniel A. Adams, Keila Y. Acevedo Villanueva, Revathi Shanmugasundaram, Jeferson Lourenco*, and Ramesh K. Selvaraj. (2024). The effect of Campylobacter jejuni challenge on the ileal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids at 28 and 35 days of age. Italian Journal of Animal Science. https://doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2024.2310588.
2) Congiu, M., Lourenco, J., Cesarani, A., Lamichhane, U., Macciotta, N.P.P. and Dimauro, C. (2024). Predicting feed efficiency of Angus steers using the gastrointestinal microbiome. Animal. 101102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2024.101102.
3) Al Hakeem, Walid G., Emily E. Cason, Daniel Adams, Shahna Fathima, Revathi Shanmugasundaram, Jeferson Lourenco*, and Ramesh K. Selvaraj. (2024). Characterizing the Effect of Campylobacter jejuni Challenge on Growth Performance, Cecal Microbiota, and Cecal Short-Chain Fatty Acid Concentrations in Broilers. Animals 14, no. 3: 473. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14030473.
4) Perez, Hunter G., Claire K. Stevenson, Jeferson M. Lourenco, and Todd R. Callaway. (2024). Understanding Rumen Microbiology: An Overview. Encyclopedia 4, no. 1: 148-157. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4010013.
5) I.M. Llada, R.S. Mote, N.S. Hill, J.M. Lourenco, D.P. Jones, G. Suen, M.K. Ross, and N.M. Filipov. (2023). Ruminal ergovaline and volatile fatty acid dynamics: Association with poor performance and a key growth regulator in steers grazing toxic tall fescue. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. Volume 105 (2024) 104354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2023.104354.
6) Fagan MM, Welch CB, Scheulin KM, Sneed SE, Jeon JH, Golan ME, Cheek SR, Barany DA, Oeltzschner G, Callaway TR, Zhao Q, Park HJ, Lourenco JM, Duberstein KJ and West FD. (2023). Fecal microbial transplantation limits neural injury severity and functional deficits in a pediatric piglet traumatic brain injury model. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 17:1249539. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1249539.
7) Clint E. Edmunds, Christina B. Welch, Jeferson M. Lourenco, Todd R. Callaway, T. Dean Pringle, and C. Robert Dove. (2023). The Effects of Dietary Manganese and Selenium on Growth and the Fecal Microbiota of Nursery Piglets. Veterinary Sciences 2023, 10(11), 650. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10110650.
8) R. El Jeni, C. Villot, O. Y. Koyun, A. Osorio-Doblado, J. J. Baloyi, J. M. Lourenco, M. Steele, and T. R. Callaway. (2023). Invited Review: “Probiotic” approaches to improving dairy production: reassessing “magic foo-foo dust”. Journal of Dairy Science. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-23831.
9) Ma Lu, Yingkun Zhu, A. La Teng Zhu La, J. M. Lourenco, T. R. Callaway, and Dengpan Bu. (2023). Schizochytrium sp. and Lactoferrin supplementation alleviates Escherichia coli K99-induced diarrhea in pre-weaning dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-23466.
10) Madison Blake Walker, Matthew Patrick Holton, Todd Riley Callaway, Jeferson Menezes Lourenco, and Pedro Levy Piza Fontes. (2023). Differences in Microbial Community Composition between Uterine Horns Ipsilateral and Contralateral to the Corpus Luteum in Beef Cows on Day 15 of the Estrous Cycle. Microorganisms 2023, 11(8), 2117. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11082117.
11) Yang Lin, Jeferson M. Lourenco, and Oluyinka A. Olukosi. (2023). The effects of protease, xylanase, and xylo-oligosaccharides on growth performance, nutrient utilization, short-chain fatty acids, and microbiota in Eimeria-challenged broiler chickens fed low-protein diet. Poultry Science volume 102, Issue 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2023.102789.
12) Yang Lin, Jeferson M. Lourenco, and Oluyinka A. Olukosi. (2023). Effects of xylanase, protease, and xylo-oligosaccharides on growth performance, nutrient utilization, short chain fatty acids, and microbiota in Eimeria-challenged broiler chickens fed high fiber diet. Animal Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aninu.2023.08.009.
13) B. M. Goetz, E. A. Horst, E. J. Mayorga, M. A. Abeyta, S. Rodriguez-Jimenez, S. Carta, J. M. Lourenco, T. R. Callaway, C. Hikita, T. Watanabe, and L. H. Baumgard. (2023). Effects of cashew nut shell extract supplementation on production, rumen fermentation, metabolism, and inflammatory biomarkers in transition dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, volume 106 (12). https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-23563.
14) A M Osorio-Doblado, K P Feldmann, J M Lourenco, R L Stewart, W B Smith, L O Tedeschi, F L Fluharty, T R Callaway (2023). Forages and pastures symposium: forage biodegradation: advances in ruminal microbial ecology. Journal of Animal Science. Volume 101, 2023, skad178. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skad178.
15) Revathi Shanmugasundaram, Jeferson Lourenco, Walid Al Hakeem, Madison M. Dycus and Todd J. Applegate. (2023). Subclinical doses of dietary fumonisins and deoxynivalenol cause cecal microbiota dysbiosis in broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens. Front. Microbiol. 14:1106604. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1106604.
16) Ignacio M. Llada, Jeferson M. Lourenco, Mikayla M. Dycus, Jessica M. Carpenter, Garret Suen, Nicholas S. Hill, and Nikolay M. Filipov. (2023). Behavioral and Physiological Alterations in Angus Steers Grazing Endophyte-Infected Toxic Fescue during Late Fall. Toxins 2023, 15(5), 343. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15050343.
17) Jeon JH, Kaiser EE, Waters ES, Yang X, Lourenco JM, Fagan MM, Scheulin KM, Sneed SE, Shin SK, Kinder HA, Kumar A, Platt SR, Jeongyoun A, Duberstein KJ, Rothrock Jr., MJ, Callaway TR, Xie J, West FD, Park HJ. (2023). Tanshinone IIA-loaded nanoparticles and neural stem cell combination therapy improves gut homeostasis and recovery in a pig ischemic stroke model. Sci Rep 13, 2520 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-29282-9.
18) M. A. Abeyta, B. M. Goetz, E. J. Mayorga, S. Rodriguez-Jimenez, J. A. Opgenorth, A. D. Freestone, J. M. Lourenco, T. R. Callaway, and L. H. Baumgard. (2023). Effects of abomasally infused rumen fluid from corn-challenged donor cows on production, metabolism, and inflammatory biomarkers in healthy recipient cows. Journal of Dairy Science. Volume 106, Issue 6, Pages 4336-4352. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2022-22809.
19) da Silva, Camila S.; Tucker, Jennifer J.; Maia, Fabio J.; Lourenço, Jeferson M.; Bass, Morgan L.; Seidel, Darren S.; Callaway, Todd R.; Hancock, Dennis W.; Stewart, R. Lawton. (2022). The The impact of maturity stages on yield, quality, and nutritive value of ensiled Johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers]. Translational Animal Science, Volume 6, Issue 4, October 2022, txac118. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txac118.
20) S. Lee, S. Jung, J. Lourenco, D. Pringle, and J. Ahn. (2022). Resampling-based Inferences for Compositional Regression with Application to Beef Cattle Microbiomes. Statistical Methods in Medical Research. 2023;32(1):151-164. https://doi.org/10.1177/09622802221133550.
21) Williamson J. R., Callaway T. R., Lourenco J. M., and Ryman V. E. (2022). Characterization of rumen, fecal, and milk microbiota in lactating dairy cows. Front. Microbiol. 13:984119. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.984119.
22) Jeon, Julie Heejin, Jeferson M. Lourenco, Madison M. Fagan, Christina B. Welch, Sydney E. Sneed, Stephanie Dubrof, Kylee J. Duberstein, Todd R. Callaway, Franklin D. West, and Hea Jin Park. (2022). Changes in Oral Microbial Diversity in a Piglet Model of Traumatic Brain Injury. Brain Sciences 12, no. 8: 1111. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12081111.
23) G. Akerele, W. G. Al Hakeem, J. Lourenco*, and R. Selvaraj. (2022). The Effect of Necrotic Enteritis Challenge on Production Performance, Cecal Microbiome, and Cecal Tonsil Transcriptome in Broilers. Pathogens 11, no. 8: 839. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11080839.
24) Christina B. Welch, Valerie E. Ryman, T. Dean Pringle, Jeferson M. Lourenco. (2022). Utilizing the Gastrointestinal Microbiota to Modulate Cattle Health through the Microbiome-Gut-Organ Axes. Microorganisms2022,10, 1391. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10071391.
25) Janghan Choi, Sudhir Yadav, Jinquan Wang, Benjamin J. Lorentz, Jeferson M. Lourenco, Todd Riley Callaway and Woo Kyun Kim. (2022). Effects of supplemental tannic acid on growth performance, gut health, microbiota, and fat accumulation and optimal dosages of tannic acid in broilers. Frontiers in Physiology 13:912797. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.912797.
26) Darren S. Seidel, John W. Walker, Jeffrey M. Musser, Jeferson M. Lourenco, Christina B. Welch, Travis R. Whitney, Todd R. Callaway. (2022). Impact of concentrations of camphor on the in vitro mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation from goats selected for consumption of low and high levels of Juniperus spp.-2, Translational Animal Science, Volume 6, Issue 3, July 2022, txac098. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txac098.
27) J. M. Lourenco, P. R. Broadway, and T. R. Callaway. (2022). Editorial: The Relationship of Animal Health and Management to Food Safety. Frontiers in Animal Science, 3:951316. https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2022.951316.
28) J. M. Lourenco*, C. B. Welch, T. R. Krause, M. A. Wieczorek, F. L. Fluharty, M. J. Rothrock, T. D. Pringle, and T. R. Callaway. (2022). Fecal Microbiome Differences in Angus Steers with Differing Feed Efficiencies During the Feedlot-Finishing Phase. Microorganisms, 10(6):1128. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10061128.
29) J. M. Lourenco* and Christina B. Welch. (2022). Using Microbiome Information to Understand and Improve Animal Performance. Italian Journal of Animal Science, Volume 21, 2022 - Issue 1. https://doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2022.2077147.
30) J. M. Lourenco, T. R. Krause, C. B. Welch, T. R. Callaway, and T. D. Pringle. (2022). Longitudinal Changes of the Ruminal Microbiota in Angus Beef Steers. Animals, 12(9), 1066. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12091066.
31) Mote, R. S., N. S. Hill, J. H. Skarlupka, J. M. Carpenter, J. M. Lourenco, T. R. Callaway, V. T. Tran, K. Liu, M. R. Smith, D. P. Jones, G. Suen, N. M. Filipov. (2022). Integrative Interactomics Applied to Bovine Fescue Toxicosis. Scientific Reports, 12, 4899 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08540-2.
32) Janghan Choi, Hanseo Ko, Yuguo Hou Tompkins, Po-Yun Teng, Jeferson M. Lourenco, Todd R. Callaway, and Woo Kyun Kim. (2021). Effects of Eimeria tenella Infection on Key Parameters for Feed Efficiency in Broiler Chickens. Animals, 11(12), 3428. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123428.
33) Welch, C. B., J. M. Lourenco, D. S. Seidel, T. R. Krause, M. J. Rothrock, T. D. Pringle, and T. R. Callaway. (2021). The Impact of Pre-Slaughter Fasting on the Ruminal Microbial Population of Commercial Angus Steers. Microorganisms 2021, 9(12), 2625. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9122625.
34) C. A. Lorensetti, M. F. da Silveira, R. Farenzena, E. F. C. O. Lazzarotto, J. M. Lourenço, A. A. Michailoff, L. F. Francisco, and A. C. B. Sordi. (2021). Intake and digestibility in cattle grazing temperate grass associated with legume and/or energetic supplementation. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 66: 349–358. https://doi.org/10.17221/38/2021-CJAS.
35) C. B. Welch, J. M. Lourenco, T. R. Krause, D. S. Seidel, F. L. Fluharty, T. D. Pringle, and T. R. Callaway. (2021). Evaluation of the Fecal Bacterial Communities of Angus Steers With Divergent Feed Efficiencies Across the Lifespan From Weaning to Slaughter. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8:597405. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.597405.
36) R. E. Jeni, D. K. Dittoe, E. G. Olson, J. Lourenco, N. Corcionivoschi, S. C. Ricke, and T. R. Callaway. (2021). Probiotics and Potential Applications for Alternative Poultry Production Systems. Poultry Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2021.101156.
37) R. E. Jeni, D. K. Dittoe, E. G. Olson, J. Lourenco, D. S. Seidel, S. C. Ricke, and T. R. Callaway. (2021). An Overview of Health Challenges in Alternative Poultry Production Systems. Poultry Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2021.101173.
38) T. J. Hendricks, D. W. Hancock, J. J. Tucker, F. J. Maia, and J. M. Lourenco. (2021). Ensiling Alfalfa and Alfalfa-Bermudagrass with Ferulic Acid Esterase-Producing Microbial Inoculants. Crop, Forage, & Turfgrass Management, 2021;e20093. https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.20093.
39) J. M. Lourenco*, R. S. Hampton, H. M. Johnson, T. R. Callaway, M. J. Rothrock Jr., and M. J. Azain. (2021). The Effects of Feeding Antibiotic on the Intestinal Microbiota of Weanling Pigs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8:601394. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.601394.
40) J. Jeon, J. Lourenco, E. E. Kaiser, E. S. Waters, K. M. Scheulin, X. Fang, H. A. Kinder, S. R. Platt, M. J. Rothrock Jr., T. R. Callaway, F. D. West, and H. J. Park. (2020). Dynamic Changes in the Gut Microbiome at the Acute Stage of Ischemic Stroke in a Pig Model. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14:587986. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.587986.
41) T. R. Krause, J. M. Lourenco, C. B. Welch, M. J. Rothrock Jr., T. R. Callaway, and T. D. Pringle. (2020). The relationship between the rumen microbiome and carcass merit in Angus steers. Journal of Animal Science, 98(9). https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaa287.
42) C. B. Welch, J. M. Lourenco, D. B. Davis, T. R. Krause, M. N. Carmichael, M. J. Rothrock Jr., T. D. Pringle, and T. R. Callaway. (2020). The impact of feed efficiency selection on the ruminal, cecal, and fecal microbiomes of Angus steers from a commercial feedlot. Journal of Animal Science, 98(7). https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaa230.
43) J. M. Lourenco*, T. J. Kieran, D. S. Seidel, T. C. Glenn, M. F. da Silveira, T. R. Callaway, and R. L. Stewart Jr. (2020). Comparison of the ruminal and fecal microbiotas in beef calves supplemented or not with concentrate. PLOS ONE 15(4): e0231533. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231533.
44) J. M. Lourenco, S. C. Nunn, E. J. Lee, C. R. Dove, T. R. Callaway, and M. J. Azain. (2020). Effect of Supplemental Protease on Growth Performance and Excreta Microbiome of Broiler Chicks. Microorganisms, 8, 475. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8040475.
45) J. M. Lourenco, F. J. Maia, J. H. J. Bittar, J. R. Segers, J. J. Tucker, B. T. Campbell, and R. L. Stewart, Jr. (2020). Utilization of exogenous enzymes in beef cattle creep feeds. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 48: 70-77. https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2020.1732985.
46) J. M. Lourenco, T. R. Callaway, T. J. Kieran, T. C. Glenn, J. C. McCann, and R. L. Stewart Jr. (2019). Analysis of the Rumen Microbiota of Beef Calves Supplemented During the Suckling Phase. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10:1131. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.01131.
47) J. M. Lourenco, Rothrock Jr., M. J., Sanad Y. M., and Callaway T. R. (2019). The Effects of Feeding a Soybean-Based or a Soy-Free Diet on the Gut Microbiome of Pasture-Raised Chickens Throughout Their Lifecycle. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 3:36. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2019.00036.
48) J. M. Lourenco, Rothrock Jr., M. J., Fluharty F. L., and Callaway T. R. (2019). The Successional Changes in the Gut Microbiome of Pasture-Raised Chickens Fed Soy-Containing and Soy-Free Diets. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 3:35. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2019.00035.
49) Fishman-Holland, H., A. Stoskute, M. S. Ferrer, D. Veal, J. H. J. Bittar, E. Rollin, J. Lourenço, and R. A. Palomares. (2019). Comparison of follicular development, timing of ovulation, and serum progesterone, estradiol and luteinizing hormone concentrations in dairy heifers treated with 4- or 5-day CoSynch + CIDR protocols. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 5: 379-389. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.171.
50) J. M. Lourenco*, Fluharty F. L., and Callaway T. R. (2018). A Refreshed View of the Rumen Microbiome of Beef Cattle in Light of Next-Generation DNA Sequencing. Archives of Animal and Poultry Sciences, 1(1): 555554.
51) Bittar, J. H. J., Hoyos-Jaramillo, A., Hurley, D. J., Woolums, A. R., Havenga, L. J., Lourenço, J. M., Barnett, G., Gomes, V., Saliki, J. T., Harmon, D. D. and Palomares, R. A. (2018). Effects of injectable trace minerals administered concurrently with a modified live virus vaccine on long-term protection against bovine viral diarrhea virus acute infection in dairy calves. Research in Veterinary Science, 119: 250-258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.07.003.
52) J. M. Lourenço, M. A. Froetschel, J. R. Segers, J. J. Tucker, and R. L. Stewart, Jr. (2017). Utilization of canola and sunflower meals as replacements for soybean meal in a corn silage-based stocker system. Translational Animal Science. Volume 1, Issue 4: 592-598. https://doi.org/10.2527/tas2017.0068.
53) J. M. Lourenco, N. DiLorenzo, A. M. Stelzleni, J. R. Segers, and R. L. Stewart, Jr. (2016). Use of by-product feeds to decrease feed cost while maintaining performance of developing beef bulls. The Professional Animal Scientist. Volume 32, Issue 3: 287-294. https://doi.org/10.15232/pas.2015-01436.
Refereed Book Chapters
1) El Jeni, R., Osorio-Doblado, A., Feldmann, K., Lourenco, J., Bu, D., Callaway, T.R. (2023). Current Status of Practical Applications: Probiotics in Dairy Cattle. In: Callaway, T.R., Ricke, S.C. (eds) Direct-Fed Microbials and Prebiotics for Animals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-40512-9_12.
2) J. M. Lourenço, I. I. Kassem, S. C. Ricke. (2021). Book: Instant Insights: Antibiotics in poultry production. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Cambridge, UK. Publication date: January 26, 2021. ISBN-13: 9781801460101.
3) Hales, K., J. M. Lourenco, D. S. Seidel, O. Y. Koyun, D. Davis, C. Welch, J. E. Wells, and T. R. Callaway. (2020). The use of feedlot/cereal grains in improving feed efficiency and reducing by-products such as methane in ruminants. Chapter of book: Improving rumen function. Editors: Dr. Chris McSweeney and Professor Roderick I. Mackie. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Cambridge, UK. Publication date: June 22, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0067.23.
4) J. M. Lourenço, D. S. Seidel, and T. R. Callaway. (2019). Antibiotics and gut function: historical and current perspectives. Chapter of book: Improving gut health in poultry. Editor: Professor Steven C. Ricke. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Cambridge, UK. Publication date: November 25, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.19103/AS.2019.0059.10.019.0059.10.