Globally recognized dairy scientist, dedicated mentor
Dr. Jan (Kees) Plaizier, retired Professor in the Department of Animal Science, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
Kees completed his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Wageningen Agricultural University in the Netherlands and a Ph.D. degree in animal nutrition from the University of Guelph.
With a career dedicated to advancing dairy science, his research focused on enhancing the health, productivity, and welfare of dairy cows, with a specialization in nutrition. His work was characterized with a strong emphasis on practical application and collaboration with industry partners to ensure research outcomes benefited dairy producers directly.
He was a highly respected leader in his field, having served as Editor-in-Chief for the Canadian Journal of Animal Science and recognized with numerous awards from the Canadian Society of Animal Science including the Young Scientist Award in 2004, the Award for Excellence in Nutrition and Meat Sciences in 2016, the Fellowship Award in 2023, and the Honorary Life Membership Award in July 2026.
Through his research, teaching, and dedicated mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, Kees made a significant and lasting contribution to the global dairy industry.
A memorial service for Kees will be held on Thursday, August 13 at 2:00 pm at the Thomson in the Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1291 McGillivray Blvd.
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