Pet Nutrition at OVC
Pet Nutrition at OVC

Our Team

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Our Team

Click below to get to know us!

Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe, DVM, PhD, Dip ECVCN

Associate Professor

adronie 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

sarah 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)

Registered Veterinary Technician in Clinical Nutrition, Supported by Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets

shoshana 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. 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 and Iron, 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.

Hannah Godfrey, BScH, MSc

PhD Student (Department of Biomedical Sciences)

hannah 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.

MSc Thesis: Effects of additional dietary choline on food intake, body weight and composition, respiratory quotient, serum lipid profile, and serum metabolic signature in post-gonadectomy kittens

Dr. Manuela Fischer, MV, MSc, PhD

DVSc Student (Department of Clinical Studies), ECVCN Resident

manuela 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

erico 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. Francisco Poblanno Silva DVM

DVSc Candidate (Department of Clinical Studies), ECVCN Resident

francisco Francisco Poblanno graduated as Medico Veterinario Zootecnista (equivalent to DVM in North America) from Mexico’s National University (UNAM) in 2016. Before graduation he did a Study Abroad Program at the Royal Veterinary College in London. After obtaining his degree, he worked in a small animal practice in Mexico City then he worked in the swine industry in the Midwest United States. Afterwards he started working in Small Animal General Practice in Mississauga, Ontario.He always had a special interest in nutrition and the impact it has on the welfare of all species. He is currently enrolled in the DVSc program in Clinical Nutrition at OVC and as a resident of the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN). His research interests are focused on small animal clinical nutrition, particularly in feline obesity.  During his time off he likes to go out for walks and hikes with his wife and their chihuahua-cross Nash.

Brooklynn Liversidge, BScH

PhD Student (Department of Pathobiology)

brooklynn 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.

MSc Thesis: The Apparent Total-Tract Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Microbiome, and Fecal Metabolome in Adult Healthy Dogs Fed an Experimental Plant-Based Diet Compared to a Conventional Animal-Based Diet

Shawna Morrow, BScH, MSc

PhD Student (Department of Population Medicine)

shawna 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 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 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)

Veronica 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)

james 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.

Sashen Rajagopaul, MSc (Course-work)

sashen