Meet Dr. Cia Johnson and Dr. Suzanne Millman, of the UEP Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). These recognized animal welfare experts bring diverse expertise to the UEP Certified program.

Dr. Cia Johnson

Dr. Cia Johnson has worked in the Animal Welfare Division of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) since 2009. In her current position as the Director of Animal Welfare, she oversees the AVMA’s highly regarded science-based guidelines for animal welfare for food animal production and handling practices for beef, dairy, small ruminants, swine, and poultry.

Dr. Johnson is the primary staff consultant to the AVMA’s Panel on Humane Slaughter and assisted with developing  AVMA’s Guidelines for euthanasia, depopulation and slaughter. Dr. Johnson serves on several advisory panels, including the OIE panel on slaughter and depopulation, Dean Foods Animal Welfare Science Council,  the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Animal Welfare Committee and the Academy of Veterinary Consultants Animal Health and Well-Being Committee.

 Dr. Suzanne Millman

Dr. Suzanne Millman, a longtime member of UEP’s Scientific Advisory Committee, is an internationally recognized ethologist focusing on animal welfare during disease, sickness, and euthanasia.  She emphasizes an interdisciplinary research approach involving behavior, health, performance, endocrinology and neurophysiology while recognizing the ethical and cultural aspects of the issues.

Originally from Canada, Dr. Millman graduated from the University of Guelph, joined its faculty, and served as a tenured associate professor. In 2008, she started a welfare program at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. Dr. Millman and her research team concentrate on animal welfare assessment on livestock and poultry farms, understanding pain and sickness behavior to improve animal care, and developing novel technologies for euthanasia. She also teaches and provides expertise in ISU extension services.  Dr. Millman serves on multiple laying hen advisory groups, including Hy-Line and the World Organization for Animal Health.