My name is Erika Pérez, and I am originally from Fusagasugá, a city near Bogotá, Colombia. I earned my degree in Animal Science from the National University of Colombia (Bogotá campus) in 2009.

During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to begin a master's program, though I was unable to continue at that time. I resumed my graduate studies in 2025, and my current research focuses on the effects of branched-chain amino acids on piglets during the pre-starter phase; I am conducting this research under the supervision of Dr. Gloria Casas and Dr. Hans Stein.

Throughout my professional career, I have worked as a nutritionist for animal nutrition companies in Colombia, focusing on monogastric animal production. Since 2017, I have worked as an independent animal nutrition consultant, providing nutritional advisory services to animal protein producers in Colombia.

I am deeply grateful to both Dr. Casas and Dr. Stein for the opportunity to conduct my research and expand my knowledge, and I am especially grateful to Dr. Stein for allowing me to work in his laboratory.

I am confident that this experience will provide me with new perspectives, skills, and opportunities to contribute to the future of animal nutrition and sustainable animal protein production