Our Team
Click below to get to know us!
Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe, DVM, PhD, Dip ECVCN
Associate Professor
Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe graduated as a companion animal veterinarian (DVM) from Ghent University, Belgium in 2005. She completed her PhD focusing on nutritional modulation of carbohydrate metabolism in cats in 2009. She became a European Veterinary Specialist™ in Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition after completing a residency and board certifying exam for the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition in 2010.
In 2011, Dr. Verbrugghe joined the Department of Clinical Studies at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), University of Guelph, as Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Endowed Chair in Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition. Dr. Verbrugghe’s academic responsibilities at OVC include the development and teaching of the small animal clinical nutrition curriculum for the DVM program. Dr. Verbrugghe is also the service chief for the OVC Health Science Centre Clinical Nutrition Service. In 2019, she was awarded a Research Excellence Award from the University of Guelph. Her research interests include companion animal nutrition, the link between nutrition, gut microbiota, health and disease, alteration of metabolic pathways through nutrition and nutritional modulation of inflammation and immunity.
Dr. Sarah Abood, DVM, PhD
Associate Professor
Dr. Sarah Abood is a veterinary nutritionist and educator who originally came to the Ontario Veterinary College in 2018 for a short-term contract. She was able to return in Nov. 2023 and is glad to be teaching nutrition and running the OVC Clinical Nutrition Service. Prior to 2018, Dr. Abood served as Assistant Dean of Student Programs at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. During her 16 years at MSU she taught small animal nutrition, communication skills, veterinary ethics, and veterinary leadership. In 2009, she started her own consulting company, called Sit, Stay, Speak Nutrition. In the mid-1990s, Dr. Abood worked in Research and Development at Ralston Purina. Her formal training began at Michigan State University (BS, DVM), followed by a large animal rotating internship at the University of Minnesota, and the completion of her nutrition residency and PhD at The Ohio State University.
Shoshana Verton-Shaw, RVT, VTS (Nutrition), RLAT
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Coordinator
Shoshana graduated from the Veterinary Technology program at University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus with honours and as the recipient of the Award for Proficiency in Canine and Feline Nutrition in 2007. She became the first Registered Veterinary Technician in Ontario to achieve her Veterinary Technician Specialty in Nutrition in 2015 and has been active with the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians
since. In 2024, furthering her dedication to scientific advancements in veterinary medicine, Shoshana successfully achieved her Registered Laboratory Animal Technician certification with the Canadian Association of Laboratory Animal Science. Shoshana enjoys sharing and igniting a passion for veterinary nutrition in her peers, with a special interest in canine and feline obesity management and performance dog nutrition. Along with her dogs, Kinetic, Iron and Radon, Shoshana is an active member of the German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Canada, T.O.P. Working Dog Club, and the Kitchener-Waterloo German Shepherd Club.
Becky Hunt, RVT, VTS (Nutrition)
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Registered Veterinary Technician
Becky graduated from the Veterinary Technician program at Seneca College in 2016. After working in a small animal general & surgical referral practice for a few years, she fell in love with preventative medicine and nutrition. This passion led her to pursue her Veterinary Technician Specialty in Nutrition and became a member of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians in 2023. When she is not working with pet parents on all things nutrition related, you can find her on the trails hiking in places with her dog Nova, while her tuxedo cat lounges at home.
Dr. Zahra Rahimi, DVM, PhD
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Intern
Dr. Zahra Rahimi joined our team in January 2025 as Hill’s Pet Nutrition Intern. Zahra has been a veterinarian (DVM) since 2009, and she also completed her PhD in Animal Feed Health in 2017. During her 14 years of experience, she made significant contributions to the fields of veterinary medicine, animal nutrition, feed and food safety. Her research interests include companion animal nutrition, clinical nutrition as a means to health, supplements, nutraceuticals, and the relationship between nutrient bioavailability and animal health. In addition, she is deeply committed to environmental health and safety, advocating for sustainable and science-based approaches to animal nutrition.
Hannah Godfrey, BScH, MSc
PhD Student (Department of Biomedical Sciences)
Hannah is now pursuing her PhD with Dr. Verbrugghe after completing her Master’s in Clinical Studies. Hannah previously graduated with a BScH in Biology with a minor in Nutrition and Nutraceutical Science at the University of Guelph. Her MSc thesis focused on the lipotropic effects of choline supplementation in post-gonadectomy kittens. Her PhD focuses on the impacts of macronutrient composition on metabolims. Outside of the lab you can find Hannah at home with her own happy healthy cats, Balthazar and Benny.
Dr. Manuela Fischer, MV, MSc, PhD
DVSc Student (Department of Clinical Studies), ECVCN Resident
Dr. Manuela Fischer obtained her Veterinary degree (MV) in Brazil in 2008. Her interest in pet nutrition began while in vet school, when she had the opportunity to visit a pet food facility. Her MSc thesis focused on the effects of different fiber sources on energy and macronutrient digestibility, fermentation product formation, postprandial metabolite responses and colon histology of overweight cats. One of her PhD research projects was carried out at UCDavis. She completed her PhD focusing on faecal microbiota and it’s relation with obesity, energy restriction and neutering in 2015. From 2015 to 2023, she worked as a graduate professor, consultant for pet food industries and as a veterinary nutritionist in a small animal clinic. In her spare time, Manuela loves being with her husband, daughter and dog, and enjoys going out to see new places.
Dr. Erico de Mello Ribeiro, MV, MSc, PhD
DVSc Candidate (Department of Clinical Studies), ECVCN Resident
Dr. Erico Ribeiro obtained his veterinary degree (MV) at Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) in Brazil in 2010, where he also completed a residency in small animal medicine in 2012. Following, he completed a residency, a master’s and a PhD in nutrition and clinical nutrition of dogs and cats at Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) with Dr. Aulus Carciofi. He joined the OVC Clinical Nutrition Team in 2020 as a DVSc student and a resident of the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition. His research focuses on feline fatty acid metabolism.
Dr. Laura Teeger, DVM, CVA
DVSc Candidate (Department of Clinical Studies), ECVCN Resident
Laura earned her DVM degree from Ross University in 2020 and spent nearly five years in small animal general practice, where her interest in veterinary nutrition grew into a true passion. She joined the Clinical Nutrition Team at OVC in January 2025 to pursue her Doctor Veterinary Sciences degree (DVSc) in Clinical Studies and Residency for the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN). Her research focuses on the physiologic and metabolomic effects of choline in cats, particularly those that are overweight or obese. Outside of veterinary medicine, Laura enjoys snowboarding, crafting, playing cozy video games, and wildlife photography. She also has a cat named Po and a special interest in exotic companion mammals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs.
Brooklynn Liversidge, BScH
PhD Student (Department of Pathobiology)
Brooklynn is working towards her PhD in Clinical Studies after completing her Master’s in Clinical Studies and graduating in 2020 with a BScH in Animal Biology from the University of Guelph. Her research interests include digestibility and metabolomics, but she has a fascination with continuing to grow her knowledge in all aspects involved with nutritional research. Her MSc thesis project focused on investigating the digestibility, fecal microbiome and fecal metabolome in adult healthy dogs on plant-based versus meat-based diets. In her spare time, Brooklynn loves to be with her two dogs, her cat and her two horses.
Shawna Morrow, BScH, MSc
PhD Student (Department of Population Medicine)
Shawna is working towards her PhD in Population Medicine after completing her MSc in Clinical Studies in the fall of 2024. Shawna previously graduated with a BScH in Biomedical Sciences at Trent University in 2021. Her MSc thesis focused on weight management promotion and communication in companion animal veterinary practice. Her PhD research examines the effects of physical activity on weight loss in obese dogs. Additionally, she is building on her MSc research by exploring pet guardians’ attitudes towards weight management and improving veterinary communication about obesity. In her spare time, Shawna loves to do anything outdoors, read, and play with her two cats.
Panagiotis (Panos) Balousis, BScH
MSc student (Department of Clinical Studies)
Panos completed his BScH in Animal Biology at the University of Guelph in 2023. As an undergraduate, he enrolled in various nutrition courses and a research project that sparked his interest to pursue graduate studies in companion animal nutrition. His research focuses on understanding the characteristics differentiating pet guardians who feed raw meat-based diets from those feeding heat-processed pet food. In his free time, he enjoys cycling and spending time with his friends.
Savanna Moustafa, BScH
MBS Student (Department of Clinical Studies)
Savanna completed her BScH in Animal Biology at the University of Guelph in 2024. She is currently in her first year of the Master of Biomedical Science program with Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe. Her research interests include companion animal nutrition, and her project will be focusing on carbohydrates content and types in commercial feline diets and the potential associations with obesity and diabetes. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog Taurus and hanging out with friends and family.
Yushu (Veronica) Cheng, BScH
MSc Student (Department of Clinical Studies)
Yushu (Veronica) Cheng is an international student with a passion for pet nutrition and welfare. She graduated with a degree in Animal Biology from the University of Guelph in 2024, and she is currently pursuing her Master’s thesis under the supervision of Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe, focusing on the potential of Saccharomyces boulardii, a yeast probiotic, to reduce stress behaviours in cats following common stressful experiences like car travel or veterinary visits. Her research is driven by a lifelong love for animals and a commitment to improving their health and quality of life through nutrition. Veronica hopes her work will contribute to more effective dietary strategies for enhancing pet health and welfare.
In her free time, she loves to play sports and games with her friends. Reading novels and watching movies are also her ways of relaxing.
Jingming (James) Yang, BScH, MPH
MBS Student (Department of Clinical Studies)
Jingming (James) Yang completed his Bachelor’s of Science degree at Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH, USA) in Nutritional Biochemistry in 2021, and a master’s in Public Health Nutrition with a Dietetic Internship in 2023. He is currently in his first year of his Masters in Biomedical Sciences with Dr. Verbrugghe. His research focus is on pet nutrition and health, and his current project will be focusing on how differences in macronutrient composition affects metabolomics among cats and their implied health outcomes regarding feline obesity. During his free time, he likes to discover new food options for his cat, and public transit routes that leads to interesting places.
Francisco Poblano Silva, DVM, DVSc, ECVCN Dipl.
Kehan (Coco) Zhang, BScH, MSc
MSc Thesis: Jess Fletcher, BScAgr, MSc
MSc Thesis: Tesa Maria Teresa Kinasih, BScH, MSc
MSc Thesis: Dr. Caitlin Grant, BSc, DVM, DVSc, ECVCN Dipl.
DVSc Thesis: Olivia Chiu, BScH, MSc
MSc Thesis: Dr. Alexandra Rankovic, BScH, MSc, PhD
MSc Thesis: PhD Thesis: The Lipotropic Effects of Dietary Choline Supplementation in Overweight Cats During Weight Maintenance
Dr. Nicole Weidner, BScH, MSc, PhD
MSc Thesis: Dietary Vitamin D Intake and Vitamin D Status in Canine Cancer Patients
PhD Thesis: Circulating Vitamin D Metabolite and Inflammatory Marker Concentrations in Dogs with Cancer
Dr. Sarah Dodd, BVSc, MSc, PhD, ECVCN Dipl.
MSc Thesis: Plant-based diets for dogs and cats – an investigation of pet feeding practices, motivations and concerns
PhD Thesis: A multimodal investigation into the suitability of plant-based diets for companion dogs and cats
Adriana Bianco, MSc
Thesis: Nutritional Management of Canine Cancers and the Role of Nutritional Supplements
Alexandra Camara, MSc
Thesis:Bianca Di Sabatino, MSc
Thesis:Dr. Moran Tal, DVM, DVSc, ECVCN Dipl.
Thesis:Amanda Santarossa, MSc
Thesis:Georgia Kritikos, MSc
Thesis:Sashen Rajagopaul, MSc (Course-work)
