During International Day for Women and Girls in Science, we’re talking to some of the inspiring women scientists who are making their marks at Nutreco. Broghan King works at Trouw Nutrition USA. Her career in companion animal nutrition has enabled her to combine her fascination with how things work with her passion for animals, and she talks about how rewarding it is to help shape better products for pets. Read on to find out if Broghan is a dog or cat person – or both!
Tell us a bit about yourself and your role in Nutreco
I’m originally from Ontario, Canada, where I earned my Master of Science in Animal Nutrition at the University of Guelph and began my career with Trouw Nutrition Canada as a Junior Companion Animal Nutritionist. Nearly two years ago, I relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, to work for Trouw Nutrition USA, taking on the role of Companion Animal Nutritionist. I’m responsible for formulating premixes (vitamin, mineral, specialty blends and base blends) for pet food companies.
Outside of work, I live with my partner of 10 years and our two cats, Davy and Cal. In my free time, I enjoy trying new foods, traveling, hiking and, recently, my partner and I started volunteering at a local dog shelter, where we help by walking dogs and supporting their care.
What inspired you to pursue a career in science?
I've always been fascinated by how things work and have had a deep passion for animals. Pursuing a career in Companion Animal Nutrition felt like the perfect way to combine these two interests. I was especially drawn to the research showing how specific ingredients can provide more than nutrition and can play a significant role in improving animals’ overall health and quality of life. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my work in nutrition can directly contribute to enhancing the well-being of pets.
Can you share a moment in your career that made you feel especially proud?
A moment in my career that stands out as particularly rewarding is a project I’m currently leading, which involves implementing Near-Infrared (NIR) technology for proximate analysis at our production plants. This initiative is critical for enhancing both our quality control processes and formulation database. I’ve been spearheading the setup of the NIR system and leading the validation of curves to ensure their accuracy. By fine-tuning these curves, we’ll be able to create more precise blends, which will greatly improve the consistency and quality of our products. Leading a cross-functional team through this project and starting to see the successful integration of this technology into our daily operations is a major achievement I’m extremely proud of.
How do you hope your work will influence the scientific community and the animal protein production in the future?
I hope that my work will influence the scientific community by allowing me to share my knowledge and experiences with customers as they formulate blends and premixes. I enjoy working closely with them, offering insights from my own experiences and helping them navigate the complexities of premix formulation. By sharing knowledge and best practices, I can guide them in creating high-quality blends that are not only scientifically sound and efficacious but also enhance the overall health and quality of life for pets. Knowing that my contributions help shape better products for pets is incredibly rewarding, especially given my own love for animals.
Can you share a fun or surprising fact about your research or field of expertise?
It might be surprising for some to learn just how much people here in the U.S. adore their pets, often treating them like family members. I’ve formulated a premix for a goat milk probiotic drink for pets, but I've also come across ice cream and “beer” for dogs in pet specialty stores! It’s fascinating how the pet food industry is evolving with such innovative and fun products.
