Dr. Bernardo Predicala

Research Scientist, Engineering

Phone (306) 667-7444
Email  Contact Bernardo

Dr. Predicala manages the Engineering Research Program at PSCI with the following goals: to address environmental sustainability issues associated with swine production and to optimize the physical environment in swine production facilities to enhance performance and reduce production cost. For the past 7 years, Dr. Predicala has secured more than C$1.7 million in extramural research funding for individual and collaborative projects mainly aimed to ensure health and safety of barn workers and pigs, control environmental emissions, and comply with applicable environmental and occupational regulations. During this period, he has supervised and coordinated the work of a team of Post-doctoral Fellows (2), Research Assistants (4), Research Technicians (3), Graduate Students (3 Ph.D. students, 4 M.Sc. students), and Undergraduate Student Assistants (4) in the implementation of project workplans. Dr. Predicala also holds concurrent appointment as Adjunct Professor at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. He is also actively engaged with professional societies, currently serving as an officer of the Canadian Society for Bioengineering, as member of various committees of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and as Associate Editor and reviewer for professional journals.

Education

• Ph.D., Kansas State University, 2003
• M.Eng., Asian Institute of Technology, 1995
• B.Sc., University of the Philippines Los Baños, 1990

Professional Affiliations

• President-elect (2012) – Canadian Society for Bioengineering (CSBE)
• Member – American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)
• Associate Editor – ASABE Journals

Current Research Program

1. Application of air filtration technologies for animal transport and biocontainment
2. Benchmarking and standardization of swine production systems
3. Benchmarking water use and developing strategies for water conservation in swine barns
4. Characterization and improvement of occupational environment in swine barns
5. Development of an innovative air cleaning system for swine buildings
6. Improving energy efficiency in swine barns to reduce cost of production
7. Novel application of nanoparticles to control greenhouse gas emissions and proliferation of pathogens in livestock operations

Selected Publications

• Predicala, B., A. Alvarado and D. Asis. 2012. Use of zinc oxide nanoparticles to control hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and odour emissions from pig barns. Paper No. ILES12-1507. Presented at the 9th International Livestock Environment Symposium. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Valencia, Spain. July 8-12, 2012.
• Moreno, L., M. Nemati and B. Predicala. 2012. Treatment of model organic compounds in microbial fuel cell type bioreactors. Paper No. 253. Presented at the 2nd International Conference on Environmental Pollution and Remediation. Montreal, Quebec, Canada. August 28-30, 2012.
• Martel, M., S.P. Lemay, B. Predicala, M. Girard, R. Hogue, M. Belzile, J. Feddes and S. Godbout. 2012. Steady-state model for ammonia removal from swine facility air with a cross-flow biotrickling filter: model development and sensitivity analysis. Paper No. CSBE12-127. Presented at 2012 NABEC-CSBE/SCGAB Joint Meeting and Technical Conference. Canadian Society for Bioengineering. Orillia, Ontario. July 15-18, 2012.
• Moreno, L., M. Nemati and B. Predicala. 2011. Application of microbial fuel cells in treatment of waters contaminated by short chain fatty acids. Paper presented at the Western Canada Water Conference and Exhibit. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. September 20-23, 2011.
• Moreno, L., B. Predicala, M. Nemati. 2010. Laboratory, semi-pilot and room scale study of nitrite and molybdate mediated control of H₂S emission from swine manure. Bioresource Technology 101: 2141–2151.