During his studies, Rafael Pimentel Maia aimed to develop multivariate survival models focused on animal genetics applications. Survival analysis is a class of statistical methods specially designed to analyze time-to-event traits, e.g., the time until death. Rafael presents multivariate versions of survival models that properly represent basic genetic aspects related to time-to-event characteristics. These methods are exemplified by several studies on longevity of husbandry, each involving a different species (sows, dairy cows or ewes). Moreover, these studies allow understanding some basic genetic mechanisms related to the length of the productive life of the animals.

The PhD degree was completed at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University.

Time: Tuesday 21 May 2013 at 13.00
Place: The lecture theatre, Foulum Research Centre, Aarhus University
Title of dissertation: Event History Analysis in Quantitative Genetics
Contact information: Rafael Pimentel Maia, e-mail: rafaelp.maia@agrsci.dk
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Clarice Garcia Borges Demétrio, Department of Exact Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Professor Luis Varona, Departament of Anatomy, Embriology and Animal Genetics, University of Zaragoza, Spain 
Associate Professor Bernt Guldbrandtsen (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University
Main supervisor:
Senior Researcher Rodrigo Labouriau, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University
Co-supervisor:
Senior Researcher Per Madsen, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English.

The defence is public.
The dissertation is available for reading at the Graduate School of Science and Technology/GSST, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, room 112, 8000 Aarhus C.