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Postdoctoral Researcher · InterBull Centre . SLU Uppsala

Julius
Mugambe

Quantitative Geneticist & Animal Genomics Specialist

Developing genomic evaluation methods to integrate phenotypes and genotypes across sexes and breeds — advancing the precision and sustainability of global livestock breeding programmes.

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Interbull Centre Julius.mugambe@slu.se
8+
Peer-Reviewed Papers
5+
Conference Talks
3
Countries of Research
4.0
MSc GPA (Chonbuk)
01

Research Focus

Genomic Evaluation Methods

Developing and extending MACE (Multiple Across Country Evaluation) pipelines to incorporate cow-level national EBVs, improving genomic reliabilities for small and large dairy populations alike.

MACEssGBLUPEBV

Crossbred Genetic Evaluation

Building reference populations and applying threshold-linear bivariate models to evaluate Beef-on-Dairy crossbred calves — bridging purebred selection theory with commercial crossbreeding practice.

Beef-on-DairyCrossbreedingGWAS

Inbreeding & Genetic Diversity

Quantifying inbreeding depression across production, fertility, and health traits using pedigree, ROH, and genomic estimators in German Holstein dairy cattle.

ROHPedigreeHolstein

Breed Sustainability

Integrating data from under-represented breeds and small populations into international evaluation frameworks to support long-term genetic diversity and breed viability.

AyrshireSmall PopulationsInterbull

Sustainable Livestock Systems

Investigating greenhouse gas monitoring methods and nutritional interventions (probiotics, green yeast culture) to align livestock production with environmental sustainability goals.

GHGProbioticsPig & Cattle

Feed Efficiency Genetics

Evaluating feed efficiency-related traits using SNP subsets in German Holstein cows, with applications for reducing the environmental footprint of dairy production.

SNPFeed EfficiencyDairy
02

Experience

April 2025 — Present
Postdoctoral Researcher — Interbull Centre
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
Leading the Females in MACE project: developing methods to integrate phenotypic and genotypic data from both sexes into multi-country genomic evaluations, boosting reliability estimates and breed sustainability for Ayrshire and other dairy populations. Modifying existing MACE pipelines and Fortran programs to accommodate cow national EBVs.
March 2019 — 2024
Graduate Research Assistant — PhD Candidate
Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel, Germany & Hankyong National University, South Korea
Dissertation: Genetic evaluations using a Beef-on-Dairy crossbred reference population. Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Georg Thaller and Prof. Dr. Duek Hwan Lee. Research spanning crossbred genomic evaluation, inbreeding analysis, body condition scoring, and backfat thickness genetics in Holstein cattle.
August 2017 — December 2019
Graduate Research Assistant — MSc
Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
Thesis: Effect of probiotics supplementation on malodor volatile compounds, haematological parameters, and calprotectin levels of grower pigs. Supervisor: Dr. Ki Duk Song.
August 2017 — December 2019
Research Assistant
International Agriculture Development and Cooperation Centre, Jeonju, South Korea
Researched efficient livestock greenhouse gas monitoring and reduction methods for sustainable farming systems.
August 2016 — December 2017
Research Assistant
National Agricultural Research Organization (MUZARDI), Mukono, Uganda
Supported adaptive research and technology dissemination in the Lake Victoria Crescent Agro-ecological Zone. Designed cost-effective packages addressing client challenges in crop-livestock systems.
May 2016 — August 2016
Service Learning Intern
Iowa State University Uganda Program (Iowa State & Makerere University)
Engaged in school gardening and feeding programs, nutrition education, binational team projects, farmer field visits, and youth leadership workshops.
03

Publications

2025
GenoCross: Genetic Evaluation of Beef-on-Dairy Crossbred Calves Using Threshold-Linear Bivariate Models
Mugambe, J., Ahmed, R., Hidalgo, J., Thaller, G., & Schmidtmann, C.
Animal Breeding and Genetics
↗ doi:10.1111/jbg.70030
Genomic-Based Genetic Parameters and Genome-Wide Association Studies for Productive and Reproductive Traits in Beef-on-Dairy Crossbreds
Ahmed, R., Schmidtmann, C., Mugambe, J., & Thaller, G.
Frontiers in Genetics
↗ doi:10.3389/fgene.2025.1530310
Female Inclusive MACE for Improved Genetic Evaluations in Small Populations: A Special Case for Ayrshire Dairy Herds
Mugambe, J., Palluci, V., Dürr, J., Van Doormaal, B., & Andonov, S.
Interbull Bulletin
2024
Impact of Inbreeding on Production, Fertility, and Health Traits in German Holstein Dairy Cattle Utilizing Various Inbreeding Estimators
Mugambe, J., Ahmed, R., Thaller, G., & Schmidtmann, C.
Journal of Dairy Science
↗ doi:10.3168/jds.2023-23728
Genetic Investigations on Backfat Thickness and Body Condition Score in German Holstein Cattle
Mugambe, J., Schmidtmann, C., Harms, C., & Thaller, G.
Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics
↗ doi:10.1111/jbg.12867
Factors Influencing Calving Difficulty and Gestation Length in Beef-on-Dairy Mating
Ahmed, R., Schmidtmann, C., Mugambe, J., & Thaller, G.
Animal, 18(12), 101369
↗ doi:10.1016/j.animal.2024.101369
2023
Effects of the Breeding Strategy Beef-on-Dairy at Animal, Farm, and Sector Levels
Ahmed, R., Schmidtmann, C., Mugambe, J., & Thaller, G.
Animals, 13(13), 2182
↗ doi:10.3390/ani13132182
2020
Effect of Feeding Green Yeast Culture on the Growth Performance of Hanwoo Steers
Wandita, T.G., Bataar, D., Joshi, N., Mugambe, J., & Hwang, S.G.
International Journal on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1(1), 24–31
↗ View article
04

Education

Doctor of Philosophy
Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel & Hankyong National University
Animal Breeding, Genetics & Genomics · December 2019 – Present
Minor: Statistics
In Progress
Master of Science
Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
Advanced Agricultural Convergence Technology (Animal Molecular Genomics) · December 2019
GPA 4.0 / 4.0
Bachelor of Science
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Animal Science · May 2017
CGPA 3.88
05

Talks, Awards & Training

Conference Talks

2024
Genetic Evaluation of Feed Efficiency-related Traits using SNP-Subsets in German Holstein CowsGSA der DGfZ — Kassel
2023
Challenges of Modelling Genomic Evaluations Based on a Crossbred Reference PopulationGSA der DGfZ — Schwarenau
2023
Assessing the Impact of Inbreeding on Mastitis and Digital Dermatitis in German Dairy Cattle74th EAAP Annual Meeting — Lyon, France
2022
Estimating Inbreeding Depression Using Pedigree and Genomic Information in German Holstein Dairy CattleVortragstagung der DGfZ und GfT — Kiel
2021
Runs of Homozygosity Islands and Inbreeding Coefficients in Korean Jeju Black PigsAnnual Congress of KSAST
2020
Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Composite Primal-Cut Yields in Hanwoo Beef CattleAnnual Congress of KSABG

Awards & Scholarships

  • Heinz Wustenberg-Stiftung Award (2023)
  • International Academic Scholarship, Chonbuk National University (2017)
  • National Academic Excellence Scholarship, Makerere University (2012/2013)
  • President, Hankyong National University International Students Union (2021/2022)

Specialist Short Courses

  • Genetic Models for Animal Breeding — Wageningen University (edX, 2021)
  • Evaluation of Animal Breeding Programmes — Wageningen University (edX, 2021)
  • Genomic Prediction in Admixed Populations & GxE — Wageningen University (2022)
  • Breeding Programme Modelling with AlphaSim R — University of Edinburgh (2022)
  • Introduction to Bayesian Statistics — University of Canterbury (edX, 2022)
  • Methods & Tools for Genomic Predictions and GWAS — Armidale Animal Genetics Summer Course (2023)
06

Contact & References

Open to collaborations in genomic evaluation methodology, crossbred genetics, and international breeding programme development.

Email Julius.mugambe@slu.se
Phone +46 762 328 495
Address Gullhemsvägen 5, Gottsunda-Vårdsätra, Uppsala, Sweden 756 55
Institution Interbull Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Dr. Jorge Hidalgo
Professor, Animal Breeding & Genetics
University of Georgia
jh3700@uga.edu
+1 706-542-6650
Dr. Sreten Andonov
Researcher, Quantitative Genetics & Breeding
SLU Uppsala
andonov.sreten@slu.se
+46 18 671 961
Prof. Dr. Georg Thaller
Professor, Animal Breeding & Husbandry
University of Kiel
gthaller@tierzucht.uni-kiel.de
+49 431 880-7329