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Younes Miar

Assistant Professor & Industry Research Chair in Mink Genomics, Animal Breeding and Genomics

Younes_Miar

Email: miar@dal.ca
Phone: 902-893-6165
Mailing Address: 
Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥ PO Box 550, Truro, NS B2N 5E3 Canada
 

Education

Ph.D. in Animal Genomics - University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
M.Sc. in Animal Genetics and Breeding - University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
B.Sc. in Animal Science - University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Teaching

ANSC3000 Animal Breeding
AGRI5380 Advance Quantitative Genetics
AGRI5XXX/GENE4XXX Applied Genomics and Bioinformatics

Main research interests

• Animal breeding and genomics
• Computational genomics
• Genomic selection
• Whole genome association analyses
• Bioinformatics
• Identification of genes, and gene networks
• Genetic evaluation and improvement of animals
• Estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters required for genetic evaluations
• Mink genomics

Summary of Professional Experience

2016-Present Assistant Professor & Industry Research Chair in Mink Genomics »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥, Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Truro, NS (Appointment 75% Research; 25% Teaching)
2014-2016

Postdoctoral Fellow

University of Guelph, Department of Animal Biosciences, Guelph, ON (Appointment 100% Research)

Project: Development and testing of new methods for genomic evaluation in dairy cattle (Dr. F. Schenkel & Dr. M. Sargolzaei)

2010-2014

Graduate Research Assistant

University of Alberta, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Sciences, Edmonton, AB (Dr. Z. Wang)

PhD: Genomic selection for pork quality and carcass traits in both pure- and cross-bred populations

2006-2009 Graduate Research Assistant

University of Tehran, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, Tehran (Dr. A. Salehi)

MSc: Determination of polymorphism in myostatin gene and its association with growth and carcass traits in Iranian sheep

Publications

Yang, T., Z. Wang, Y. Miar, H.L. Bruce, C.Y. Zhang, G.S. Plastow. 2017. A Genome-wide association study of pork color in commercial crossbred pigs. Canadian Journal of Animal Science. (Accepted).

Miar, Y., M. Sargolzaei, and F.S. Schenkel. 2017. A comparison of different algorithms for phasing haplotypes using Holstein cattle genotypes and pedigree data. Journal of Dairy Science, 100: 1-13.

Zhang, C.Y., H.L. Bruce, T. Yang, P. Charagu, R.A. Kemp, N. Boddicker, Y. Miar, Z. Wang, and G.S. Plastow. 2016. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) identify QTL on SSC2 and SSC17 affecting loin peak shear force in crossbred commercial pigs. PLOS ONE, 11: e0145082. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145082. 

Miar Y., G.S. Plastow, and Z. Wang. 2015. Genomic selection, a new era for improvement of meat quality. Springer Science Reviews, 3: 27-37. 

Zhang, C.Y., Z. Wang, H.L. Bruce, R.A. Kemp, P. Charagu, Y. Miar, T. Yang, and G.S. Plastow. 2015. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identify a QTL close to PRKAG3 affecting meat pH and color in crossbred commercial pigs. BMC Genetics, 16: 33, DOI:10.1186/s12863-015-0192-1.

Miar Y., G.S. Plastow, H. L. Bruce, S.S. Moore, G. Manafiazar, P. Charagu, R.A. Kemp, B. Van Haandel, R.B. McKay, A.E. Huisman, C.Y. Zhang, and Z. Wang. 2014. Genetic relationships between performance with meat quality and carcass characteristics in commercial crossbred pigs. PLOS ONE, 9: e110105. 

Miar Y., G.S. Plastow, H.L. Bruce, S.S. Moore, G. Manafiazar, P. Charagu, R.A. Kemp, B. Van Haandel, R.B. McKay, C.Y. Zhang, A.E. Huisman, and Z. Wang. 2014. Genetic and phenotypic parameters for carcass and meat quality traits in commercial crossbred pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 92: 2869-84. 

Miar Y., G.S. Plastow, H.L. Bruce, S.S. Moore, O.N. Durunna, J.D. Nkrumah, and Z. Wang. 2014. Genetic and phenotypic parameters estimation for ultrasound and carcass merit traits in crossbred beef cattle. Canadian Journal of Animal Science. 94: 273-280. 

Miar Y., A.R. Salehi, D. Kolbehdari, and S.A. Aleyasin. 2014. Application of myostatin in sheep breeding: a review. Molecular Biology Research Communications, 3: 31-41.

Miar Y., A.R. Salehi, S.A. Aleyasin, D. Kolbehdari, and S. Raoofzadeh. 2011. Study of polymorphism in myostatin gene in Chaal, Zel and Zandi Iranian sheep breeds. Iranian Journal of Animal Production (Journal of Agriculture), 13: 33-40. 

Conference Proceedings

Karimi, K., M. Sargolzaei, and Y. Miar. 2017. Genomic selection for performance and reproduction traits in American mink. 36th International Society for Animal Genetics Conference (ISAG). Dublin, IRELAND, Jul. 16-21, 2017. (Oral)

Miar, Y., M. Sargolzaei, and F.S. Schenkel. 2016. Haplotype phasing in dairy cattle. Dairy Cattle Breeding and Genetics Committee. Guelph, Ontario, CANADA, Mar. 15, 2016.

Miar, Y., M. Sargolzaei, and F.S. Schenkel. 2016. Accuracy of haplotype reconstruction from genotypes in dairy cattle. International Plant & Animal Genome XXIV, San Diego, California, USA, Jan. 9-13, 2016.

Miar, Y., F.S. Schenkel, and M. Sargolzaei. 2015. Comparison of various haplotype phasing methods in dairy cattle. Dairy Cattle Breeding and Genetics Committee. Guelph, Ontario, CANADA, Sept. 30, 2015.

Miar, Y., G.S. Plastow, H.L. Bruce, R.A. Kemp, P. Charagu, C.Y. Zhang, A.E. Huisman, and Z. Wang. 2014. Genomic selection of pork pH in purebred pigs for crossbred performance. World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production (WCGALP), Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA, Aug. 17-22, 2014. (Oral)

Zhang, C.Y., Z. Wang, H. Bruce, R. Kemp, P. Charagu, Y. Miar, T. Yang and G. Plastow. 2014. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identify a QTL close to PRKAG3 affecting meat pH and colour in crossbred commercial pig lines. World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production (WCGALP), Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA, Aug. 17-22, 2014.

Miar, Y., G.S. Plastow, H.L. Bruce, S.S., Moore, P. Charagu, R.A. Kemp, B. Van Haandel, A.E. Huisman, and Z. Wang. 2014. Genomic selection for pork quality in both cross- and pure-bred populations. Banff Pork Seminar, Banff, Alberta, CANADA, Jan. 21-23, 2014. (Oral)

Zhang, C.Y., Z. Wang, H.L. Bruce, R.A. Kemp, P. Charagu, Y. Miar, and G.S. Plastow. 2014. A genome-wide association study identifies two promising chromosome regions on SSC7 and SSC17 affecting pig carcass merit. Banff Pork Seminar, Banff, Alberta, CANADA, Jan. 21-23, 2014.

Miar, Y., G.S. Plastow, H.L., Bruce, S.S. Moore, P. Charagu, R.A. Kemp, B. Van Haandel, A.E. Huisman, and Z. Wang. 2013. Genetic relationships between performance with meat quality and carcass traits in crossbred pigs. Livestock Gentec’s 4th Annual conference, Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA, Oct. 22-23, 2013.

Zhang, C.Y., Z. Wang, Y. Miar, R.A. Kemp, P. Charagu, H.L. Bruce, and G.S. Plastow. 2013. A genome-wide association identifies two promising candidate genes on SSC2 affecting pork peak shear force. Livestock Gentec’s 4th Annual conference, Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA, Oct. 22-23, 2013.

Miar Y., G.S. Plastow, H.L. Bruce, S.S. Moore, and Z. Wang. 2013. Whole genome association analysis for pork quality in both pure- and cross-bred populations. Canadian Meat Council’s 93rd annual conference, Banff, Alberta, Canada, May 30, 2013. (Oral)

Miar Y., Z. Wang, H.L. Bruce, S.S. Moore, and G.S. Plastow. 2012. Whole genome association analysis for pork quality in both cross- and pure-bred populations. Hendrix-Genetics Academy, Boxmeer, Netherlands. (Oral)   

Miar Y., C.Y. Zhang, S.S. Moore, Z. Wang, G.S. Plastow, and H.L. Bruce. 2011. Whole genome association analysis for pork quality in both cross- and pure-bred populations. Livestock Gentec’s 2nd Annual conference, Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA, Oct. 19-20, 2011.

Zhang C.Y., H.L. Bruce, Z. Wang, J. Janz, E. Goddard, Y. Miar, S.S. Moore, J. Mah, and G.S. Plastow. 2011. Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 33 candidate genes and meat quality traits in commercial pigs. Livestock Gentec’s 2nd Annual Conference, Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA, Oct. 19-20, 2011.

Miar Y., A.R. Salehi, S.A. Aleyasin, D. Kolbehdari, and S. Raoofzadeh. 2009.  Polymorphisms in myostatin gene in Shal, Zel and Zandi sheep. 6th National Biotechnology Congress of I.R. Iran, Milad Tower Convention Hall, Tehran, Iran, Aug. 13-15, 2009.

Miar Y., A.R. Salehi, S.A. Aleyasin, D. Kolbehdari, and S. Raoofzadeh. 2009. Polymorphisms in myostatin gene and its association with growth and carcass traits in Iranian sheep. Statistical Genetics of Livestock for the Post-Genomic Era (SGLPGE) Symposium, University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), USA, May 4-6, 2009.

Miar Y., and A.R. Salehi. 2009. Myostatin and its implications on sheep breeding. Statistical Genetics of Livestock for the Post-Genomic Era (SGLPGE) Symposium, University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), USA, May 4-6, 2009. 

Students Supervised/Co-supervised



Student

Degree

Role

Year

Project

K. Karimi

 

Postdoc

Supervisor

Exp ‘19

Application of genomics to improve performance traits in mink

A. Jalil Sarghale

PhD

Co-Supervisor

Exp ‘19

Whole genome association analysis for community composition of rumen methanogenic in Holstein cattle

S. Salek Ardestani

PhD (visiting)

Supervisor

Exp ‘19

Identification of genomic signatures of selection in horse breeds using next-generation sequencing data

A. Moghimi EsfandAbadi

PhD

Co-Supervisor

Exp ‘19

Development of genomic evaluations for wellness traits in Iranian Holstein cattle

A. Nagora

BSc

Supervisor

17

Estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters for reproduction traits in mink

S. Spencer

BSc

Supervisor

17

Application of metabolomics on selecting for litter size in mink

Memberships

  • International Society for Animal Genetics
  • Canadian Society of Animal Science
  • American Society of Animal Science

Funding

  • Mitacs Accelerate
  • Mink Research Partnership
  • Canada Mink Breeders Association
  • Nova Scotia Mink Breeders Association
  • Mink Veterinary Consulting & Research Service
  • Mitacs Globalink Research Award

Available Positions

  • There are some Graduate Student positions in the area of Animal Genomics. Please send your CV to Dr. Miar: miar@dal.ca.
  • There is a Postdoctoral Fellow position in the area of Animal Genomics. Please send your CV to Dr. Miar: miar@dal.ca