Title: Assistant Professor
Department: Animal & Veterinary Sciences
Room: 2-103
Phone: (909) 869-2401
E-Mail: djfranco@csupomona.edu
Tenure: Fall 2006
2004-2006. Postdoctoral Fellow. University of Alberta . Agricultural Food and Nutritional Science Department. Edmonton , Alberta.
2004. Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science (Animal Physiology). University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
1993. Veterinary Medicine. DVM. Central University of Venezuela . School of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Franco is a veterinarian and a professor in the Department of Animal & Veterinary Sciences.
After graduation, Dr. Franco spent some time working as a professor of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology at the Central University of Venezuela in the Department of Physiological Sciences at the Veterinary School . During that time he did some research at the Venezuelan Research Scientific Institute (IVIC) under the supervision of Dr. Guillermo Whittembury in the Kidney Physiology laboratory, Caracas , Venezuela . Then in 1998, he came to the United States of America in order to obtain training in avian physiology with Dr. Robert Wideman Jr. at the University of Arkansas , Fayetteville . Since that moment his interest in poultry physiology increased and he decided to study abroad in order to acquire more knowledge and new experiences. After earning his Ph. D in May/2004 at the Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln under the supervision of Dr. Mary M Beck. with the thesis: Effect of Heat Stress on Production, Physiological and Metabolic Parameters in Three Varieties of Laying Hens, he joined the group of the University of Alberta as a postdoctoral fellow under the supervision of Dr. Frank E Robinson, where he was evaluating the role of oxidative stress in the age-related decline in reproductive hormone status and calcium absorption in commercial laying hens. Dr. Franco, has a special research interest in the effect of heat stress on egg production and/or reproduction, molecular and physiological mechanisms involved in adaptation to heat stress, and calcium metabolism and osteoporosis in laying hens. Oxidative stress and age-related declines in hormone status, hormone responses and calcium absorption in broiler breeder and laying hens. Antioxidant protection to prevent oxidative damage and development of value-added products for food industry.
Honor to promotion paper in 1996. Central University of Venezuela .
Professor level III Award (1998). National Commission of Academic Benefic (CONABA). Central University of Venezuela .
2002-2003 Mussehl Graduate Fellowship. March, 2002.
Inez and Frank Mussehl Fellowship. 2002.
Ruth Keller Memorial Scholarship Award. (2 times) March, 2001 and 2003.
John McDonald Fellowship 2003-2004.
Milton E Mohr Fellowship 2003-2004.
William G Whitmore Memorial Travel Award 2004.
Award of excellence (SPSS) Atlanta , Georgia , 2004.
Association of Veterinarians of Venezuela . (1993).
Poultry Science Association since August 2000.
American Physiology Society since July 2001.
American Association of Avian Pathologists since January 2003.
Associate Editor Journal of Poultry Science 2006-present.
Member of the Long-Range Planning Committee (Poultry Science Association).
Central University of Venezuela . Veterinary School . II Journey of Actualization in Veterinary Science. 14-17 July 1992.
Central University of Venezuela . Agronomy School . Production and use of instructional methods. 20-27 November. 1993. (20 Hours).
Central University of Venezuela . Veterinary School . Lectures about the evaluation of the learning process. March 1994. (20 Hours).
Central University of Venezuela . Pharmacy School . Course about Receptors, Second Messengers and Techniques about Performance on Drug Abuse. Caracas 18-29 April 1994.
Central University of Venezuela . Agronomy School . Graduate School . Experimental Design. May-August. (Pass grade 18/20).
Central University of Venezuela . Veterinary School . Academic Unit. Use of Computer as a tool for teaching, research and formation of professionals. Caracas . July 14, 1997.
University Austral of Chile . X National Congress of Veterinary Medicine. Valdivia . Chile . April 1-4, 1998.
University of Arkansas . Center of Excellence for Poultry Science. Short Course on Modern Poultry Production. May 15-26, 2000.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Basic Radiation Safety Course. May 9, 2000.
University of Alberta . Radiation Safety course. May, 2005.
Central University of Venezuela . Veterinary School . IV Journey of Investigation in Veterinary School . Dec4-7, 2001.
International Poultry Scientific Forum. Atlanta , Georgia , January 2003-2004. (12 Hours).
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point. (HACCP) Training. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. May 12-14, 2003.
Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Investigations. Laboratory of Kidney Physiology. Professional Training under the Supervision of Dr. Guillermo Whittembury. 1996 and 1997.
University of Arkansas . Center of Excellence for Poultry Science. Training in Poultry Physiology under the supervision of Dr. Robert Wideman Jr. Oct-Dec, 1998.
University of Alberta . The Care and Use of Animals in Research, Teaching and Testing. May 18, 2005
D. J. Franco-Jimenez, S. E. Scheideler, R. J. Kittok, T. M. Brown-Brandl, L. R. Robeson, C. F. Toombs, and M. M. Beck. (2006). Heat Stress, Production Performance, and Reproductive Hormones Levels in Three Varieties of Laying Hens. (In Preparation).
D. J. Franco-Jimenez, S. E. Scheideler, R. J. Kittok, T. M. Brown-Brandl, L. R. Robeson, H. Taira, and M. M. Beck. (2006). Differential Effects of Heat Stress in Three Strains of Laying Hens (Submitted for Publication). JAPR.
D. J. Franco-Jimenez, S. E. Scheideler, R. J. Kittok, T. M. Brown-Brandl, L. R. Robeson, and M. M. Beck. (2006). Effect of Heat Stress on Metabolic Response of Three Laying Hens Varieties. (In Preparation).
D. J. Franco-Jimenez, S. E. Scheideler, R. J. Kittok, T. M. Brown-Brandl, and M. M. Beck (2006). Vitamin D Supplementation as a Management Adjustment to Reduce the Effect of Heat Stress on Three Varieties of Laying Hens. (In Preparation).
D. J. Franco-Jimenez, and M. M. Beck. (2005). Intestinal Calcium Uptake, Shell Quality and Reproductive Hormone Levels of Three Laying Hens Varieties after Prolonged Egg Production. International Journal of Poultry Science 4(8): 518-522.
D. J. Franco-Jimenez, and M. M. Beck. (2006).Physiological Changes to Transient Exposure to Heat Stress, Observed in Laying Hens. (Accepted), Poultry Science.
D. Franco and M. Beck. (2003). Effect of Heat Stress on Productive Parameters Observed with Three Varieties of Laying Hens. The Nebraska Poultry Report. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Pp 18-20. http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/poultry/MP81%202003%20Poultry.pdf .
D. Franco and M. Beck. (2003). Intestinal Calcium Uptake and Reproductive Hormones Levels of Three Laying Hens Varieties After Prolonged Egg Production. The Nebraska Poultry Report. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Pp 15-17.
Franco, D; Hernández, M; Hernández, C; Gonzalez, E and Whittembury, G. (1998). Effect of Ciproheptadine, Mianserine, Mesulergine, and Ondansetron Upon Flow Velocity Secreted by the Malpighian Tubules, and Antagonist Potency in Each Drug. Archivos de Medicina Veterinaria, Volumen XXX, Valdivia , Chile . Número Extraordinario.
Franco-Jimenez, D ., R. Renema, M, Zuidhof, and F. Robinson, 2006. Effect of vitamin E and fat sources on intestinal calcium uptake and production parameters of laying hens. Poultry Science. (85): Suppl. 1.
D. J. Franco, R. A. Renema, F, E, Robinson. (2005). Calcium absorption: regulation and importance to maintain eggshell quality in poultry. University of Alberta . Edmonton , Alberta . Canada . Prairie Poultry Meeting.
D. J. Franco , L. Robeson, and M. M. Beck. (2004). Effect of heat stress on production, reproduction hormone levels, acid base status, and liver expression of heat shock protein-70 observed in three varieties of laying hens. Poultry Science. Vol 83, Suppl.1.
D. J. Franco , L. Robeson, and M. M. Beck. (2004). Effect of excess dietary vitamin D supplementation as a management adjustment to reduce the effect of heat stress on three varieties of laying hens. Poultry Science. Vol 83, Suppl.1.
Franco, Danilo and Beck, Mary. (2004). Effect of Heat Stress on Productive Parameters and Reproductive Hormone Levels in Three Varieties of Laying Hens. Biology of Reproduction. Meeting Supplement.
F. N. Madison, L. G. Robeson, C. F. Toombs, D. Franco, H. Taira, M. Jalal, and M. M. Beck. (2003). Productive characteristics of laying hens through 60 weeks of age affected by strain and by body weight and age at puberty. Poultry Science. Vol 82, Suppl. 1.
D. J. Franco ; L. Robeson, and M. M. Beck. (2003). Strain differences in endocrine responses to high temperatures: Posible involvement of heat shock protein. Poultry Science. Vol 82, Suppl. 1.
D. J. Franco ; L. Robeson, and M. M. Beck. (2003). Changes in Blood pH Observed in Two Strains of Laying Hens After Exposure to Two Different Ambient Temperatures. Poultry Science. Vol 82, Suppl. 1.
D. J. Franco , L. Robeson, and M. Beck. (2002). Effect of Hot Ambient Temperature on Metabolic Response of Three Laying Hen Varieties. Poultry Science. Vol 81, Suppl. 1.
D. J. Franco , K. K. Franzen, C. F. Toombs, and M. M. Beck. (2001). Intestinal Calcium Uptake and Reproductive Hormones in Three Laying Hen Varieties After Prolonged Egg Production. Poultry Science. Vol 80, Suppl. 1.
J. Bridger; L. Robeson; D. Franco ; and M. M. Beck. (2000). Metabolic and Production Responses of Three Laying Hen Varieties to Heat Stress. Poultry Science. Vol 79, Suppl. 1.
Franco, D ; Hernández, M; Hernández, C; González, E and Whittembury, G. (1997). Changes in Flow Velocity Secreted by the Malpighian Tubules due to Ciproheptadine, Mianserine, Mesulergine and Ondansetron. Acta Científica Venezolana: 48 (Sup. 1 ).
Hernández, C; Franco, D ; González, E ; Rodríguez, B. and Whittembury, G. (1995) . Water Channels in Malpighian Tubules. Acta Científica Venezolana: 46 (Sup.1).
Hernández, C. S; Franco, D . J.; González, E, and Whittembury, G. (1994). The Kidney Proximal Straight Tubule Basolateral Cell Membrane Water Channel. Acta Científica Venezolana: 45 ( Sup.1).
