Mailza Gonçalves de Souza, originally from Pernambuco, Brazil, holds a degree in Animal Science from the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE). During her undergraduate studies, she conducted research on the bromatological and microbiological quality of feed, as well as on the dairy production chain. She also participated in extension projects focused on dairy cattle farming and completed an internship in beef cattle feedlot systems. In 2020, she began her master’s degree in animal science at São Paulo State University (FCAV/UNESP), where she developed studies related to the rearing and supplementation of grazing cattle.

Currently, Mailza is a Ph.D. student in the Graduate Program in Animal Science and Pastures at the “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture – University of São Paulo (ESALQ/USP), with research focused on fiber nutritional requirements for feedlot beef cattle. More recently, she joined the AgNext team at Colorado State University as a visiting researcher, continuing her academic training through a sandwich Ph.D. program.