MD, PhD

Dr. Natalia Wagemans is the Global Head of the Purina Institute with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Dr. Wagemans graduated in pediatrics with postgraduate certification in neonatology. Her academic career was related to pediatric healthcare and nutrition in the State Medical University in Russia. Her PhD scientific research was performed in the field of iodine deficiency and the cardiovascular system in children. She has over 100 scientific presentations at different medical and scientific forums and over 40 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Wagemans joined Nestlé in 2002 working in different areas of infant nutrition in Russia and CIS, India, Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, and Switzerland. In 2014 she was appointed as the Global Head of the Nestle Nutrition Institute (NNI) in Switzerland, and since 2020, Dr. Wagemans has led the Purina Institute, a global organization dedicated to sharing the latest companion animal nutrition knowledge and breakthrough research with veterinary healthcare professionals worldwide to help pets live longer and better lives.

MedVet, DrVetMed, PhD, AGAF, DACVM

Jan S. Suchodolski graduated with a veterinary degree from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria. After working for several years in a small animal specialty clinic he returned to academia and received his PhD in Veterinary Microbiology from Texas A&M University for his work on molecular markers for the assessment of the intestinal microbiota. He is board-certified in immunology by the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM). He currently serves as Professor and Associate Director of the GI Lab. He has published more than 400 peer-review manuscripts in the field of veterinary gastroenterology and microbiome. Dr. Suchodolski is the Purina PetCare Endowed Chair in Microbiome Research

MSc, PhD

MA, DVM, DACVB

Julia Albright is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.  Dr. Albright earned both a master’s degree in Experimental Psychology and DVM from the University of Tennessee, followed by a residency and fellowship in Animal Behavior at Cornell University CVM. Dr. Albright’s current research interests include the use of pharmaceuticals and psychoactive dietary supplements to reduce the effects of acute and chronic stress in companion animals.

DVM, Swedish Specialist in diseases in dogs and cats

Swedish veterinarian living in southern of Sweden at a small farm with my husband, three kids and goats. 

I graduated from School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science at the University of Copenhagen in 2009. After graduation I started my career as a veterinarian at Malmö Small Animal Hospital in Sweden. Since 2012 I have been employed at Evidensia Small Animal Specialist Hospital in Helsingborg, Sweden. 

In 2020 I graduated as a Swedish Specialist in diseases in dogs and cats. Since then, I have been working mainly with gastroenterology and I’m part of the GI team led by Dr Linda Toresson in Helsingborg. I also have a great interest in dog behavior and behavior medicine. I’ve attended continuous education in canine ethology at Linköping University in Sweden and behavior medicine at the European School for Advanced Veterinary Studies. Since 2022 I’ve also worked part time with a research project on chronic enteropathy and emotional health in dogs. The research project is a joint GI/behavior collaborative project, including two board certified behaviorists, Sarah Heath and Carrie Tooley. 

DMV, PhD, DECVN

Professor Gualtiero Gandini is a full professor employed at the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences of the University of Bologna (Italy).    

He graduated cum laude from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bologna and completed a PhD in Internal Medicine. In 2003, he achieved board certification in neurology from the European College of Veterinary Neurology (ECVN). 

He was elected President of the European Society and College of Veterinary Neurology (ESVN/ECVN) in 2008 and served on the Executive Committee for 12 years (2000-2012). 

In 2022 he was elected President of the European Society and College of Veterinary Neurology (ESVN/ECVN) for the second time. 

He has been President of the Italian Society of Veterinary Neurology (SINVet) (2021-2024), to which he has been a member since 1998. 

From 2015 to 2021 he was Director of the Veterinary Medicine Degree programme at the University of Bologna (Italy).  

Since 2019 he is a member of the Purina Institute Advisory panel. 

He has been an Expert (2018-2025) in the European System of Evaluation of Veterinary Training (ESEVT) within the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE).  

Dr Gandini has been invited speaker in 37 International congresses, and taught in more than 170 International and National courses. He has organized the four European editions of the international neurology “Brain Camp - Veterinary Neuroscience Course” for residents in neurology.  

He is the author or co-author of over 100 scientific publications, 74 of which published in peer-reviewed international journals. 

PhD

PhD in Chemistry, Principal Investigator at CONICET in the Industrial Dairy Institute (INLAIN, CONICET-UNL). Associate Professor of Microbiology at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering, National University of the Litoral, in Santa Fe, Argentina. Since 1995, he has been working on lactic acid bacteria, probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, fermented foods, and gut microbiome. Since 2020, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). He has published more than 150 scientific articles and book chapters.

PhD

PhD in Chemistry, Principal Investigator at CONICET in the Industrial Dairy Institute (INLAIN, CONICET-UNL). Associate Professor of Microbiology at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering, National University of the Litoral, in Santa Fe, Argentina. Since 1995, he has been working on lactic acid bacteria, probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, fermented foods, and gut microbiome. Since 2020, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). He has published more than 150 scientific articles and book chapters.

DMV, PhD, DECVN

Professor Gualtiero Gandini is a full professor employed at the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences of the University of Bologna (Italy).    

He graduated cum laude from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bologna and completed a PhD in Internal Medicine. In 2003, he achieved board certification in neurology from the European College of Veterinary Neurology (ECVN). 

He was elected President of the European Society and College of Veterinary Neurology (ESVN/ECVN) in 2008 and served on the Executive Committee for 12 years (2000-2012). 

In 2022 he was elected President of the European Society and College of Veterinary Neurology (ESVN/ECVN) for the second time. 

He has been President of the Italian Society of Veterinary Neurology (SINVet) (2021-2024), to which he has been a member since 1998. 

From 2015 to 2021 he was Director of the Veterinary Medicine Degree programme at the University of Bologna (Italy).  

Since 2019 he is a member of the Purina Institute Advisory panel. 

He has been an Expert (2018-2025) in the European System of Evaluation of Veterinary Training (ESEVT) within the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE).  

Dr Gandini has been invited speaker in 37 International congresses, and taught in more than 170 International and National courses. He has organized the four European editions of the international neurology “Brain Camp - Veterinary Neuroscience Course” for residents in neurology.  

He is the author or co-author of over 100 scientific publications, 74 of which published in peer-reviewed international journals. 

DVM, Swedish Specialist in diseases in dogs and cats

Swedish veterinarian living in southern of Sweden at a small farm with my husband, three kids and goats. 

I graduated from School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science at the University of Copenhagen in 2009. After graduation I started my career as a veterinarian at Malmö Small Animal Hospital in Sweden. Since 2012 I have been employed at Evidensia Small Animal Specialist Hospital in Helsingborg, Sweden. 

In 2020 I graduated as a Swedish Specialist in diseases in dogs and cats. Since then, I have been working mainly with gastroenterology and I’m part of the GI team led by Dr Linda Toresson in Helsingborg. I also have a great interest in dog behavior and behavior medicine. I’ve attended continuous education in canine ethology at Linköping University in Sweden and behavior medicine at the European School for Advanced Veterinary Studies. Since 2022 I’ve also worked part time with a research project on chronic enteropathy and emotional health in dogs. The research project is a joint GI/behavior collaborative project, including two board certified behaviorists, Sarah Heath and Carrie Tooley. 

MA, DVM, DACVB

Julia Albright is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.  Dr. Albright earned both a master’s degree in Experimental Psychology and DVM from the University of Tennessee, followed by a residency and fellowship in Animal Behavior at Cornell University CVM. Dr. Albright’s current research interests include the use of pharmaceuticals and psychoactive dietary supplements to reduce the effects of acute and chronic stress in companion animals.

MSc, PhD

MedVet, DrVetMed, PhD, AGAF, DACVM

Jan S. Suchodolski graduated with a veterinary degree from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria. After working for several years in a small animal specialty clinic he returned to academia and received his PhD in Veterinary Microbiology from Texas A&M University for his work on molecular markers for the assessment of the intestinal microbiota. He is board-certified in immunology by the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM). He currently serves as Professor and Associate Director of the GI Lab. He has published more than 400 peer-review manuscripts in the field of veterinary gastroenterology and microbiome. Dr. Suchodolski is the Purina PetCare Endowed Chair in Microbiome Research

MD, PhD

Dr. Natalia Wagemans is the Global Head of the Purina Institute with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Dr. Wagemans graduated in pediatrics with postgraduate certification in neonatology. Her academic career was related to pediatric healthcare and nutrition in the State Medical University in Russia. Her PhD scientific research was performed in the field of iodine deficiency and the cardiovascular system in children. She has over 100 scientific presentations at different medical and scientific forums and over 40 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Wagemans joined Nestlé in 2002 working in different areas of infant nutrition in Russia and CIS, India, Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, and Switzerland. In 2014 she was appointed as the Global Head of the Nestle Nutrition Institute (NNI) in Switzerland, and since 2020, Dr. Wagemans has led the Purina Institute, a global organization dedicated to sharing the latest companion animal nutrition knowledge and breakthrough research with veterinary healthcare professionals worldwide to help pets live longer and better lives.

MD, PhD

Dr. Natalia Wagemans is the Global Head of the Purina Institute with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Dr. Wagemans graduated in pediatrics with postgraduate certification in neonatology. Her academic career was related to pediatric healthcare and nutrition in the State Medical University in Russia. Her PhD scientific research was performed in the field of iodine deficiency and the cardiovascular system in children. She has over 100 scientific presentations at different medical and scientific forums and over 40 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Wagemans joined Nestlé in 2002 working in different areas of infant nutrition in Russia and CIS, India, Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, and Switzerland. In 2014 she was appointed as the Global Head of the Nestle Nutrition Institute (NNI) in Switzerland, and since 2020, Dr. Wagemans has led the Purina Institute, a global organization dedicated to sharing the latest companion animal nutrition knowledge and breakthrough research with veterinary healthcare professionals worldwide to help pets live longer and better lives.

MedVet, DrVetMed, PhD, AGAF, DACVM

Jan S. Suchodolski graduated with a veterinary degree from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria. After working for several years in a small animal specialty clinic he returned to academia and received his PhD in Veterinary Microbiology from Texas A&M University for his work on molecular markers for the assessment of the intestinal microbiota. He is board-certified in immunology by the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM). He currently serves as Professor and Associate Director of the GI Lab. He has published more than 400 peer-review manuscripts in the field of veterinary gastroenterology and microbiome. Dr. Suchodolski is the Purina PetCare Endowed Chair in Microbiome Research

Prof., Dr. med. vet., Dr. habil.,  DipECVIM-CA

Stefan Unterer is Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine and Director of the Small Animal Internal Medicine Clinic at the Vetsuisse Faculty Zurich, Switzerland. He completed his internship and residency in small animal internal medicine at the University of Zürich,Switzerland and University of Georgia,USA. Stefan Unterer became board-certified by the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2003. After one year in private practice, he returned to academia and became a faculty member at the University of Munich/Germany. He finished his habilitation thesis in 2016. Stefan Unterer is member of the Comparative Gastroenterology Society (CGS), the European Society of Comparative Gastroenterology (ESCG), and the Society of Comparative Hepatology. He supports the Examination Committe of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

His clinical research projects include the intestinal microbiome, acute hemorrhagic diarrhea in dogs, intestinal barrier function and longterm consequences of acute enteritis.

Dr.Vet.Med., Dipl. ECVD, RCVS

Ana graduated from the Slovenian Veterinary School in Ljubljana in 2002. She worked for several years in a small animal practice in Slovenia as employee and later as co-owner. She then completed a 1-year internship at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, followed by a 3-year dermatology residency at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Munich. In 2011, she received her diploma from the European College of Veterinary Dermatology. She then worked for 2 years as an animal dermatologist in the Paris region before moving to Switzerland, where she has been a senior clinician, researcher, and lecturer at the Vetsuisse Faculty in Zurich for 12 years. Her next career step is a veterinary dermatology professorship position at the University of Glasgow. Her main fields of interest are canine atopic dermatitis, feline allergies, allergies to bee and wasps, alopecia, precision medicine and others. 

DVM, PhD

Dr. Emanuela Kayser is a Senior Nutritionist at Nestlé Purina, specialized in companion animal nutrition with a focus on gut health. She holds a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she conducted extensive research on functional ingredients and their effects on glycemic response, immune function, fecal metabolites, gut microbiome, and nutrient digestibility in dogs and cats. Prior to that, she earned her degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Federal University of Lavras in Brazil.

DVM, MSc, DECVIM-CA (Internal Medicine)

Dr. Francesco Lotti graduated from the University of Pisa in 2014. After working at Clinica Veterinaria Valdinievole (Italy), he moved to Colorado State University (CSU) in 2016, where he completed a Master of Science in 2018 focused on gastroesophageal reflux in anesthetized dogs, leading to publications in AJVR and JSAP. He then pursued an Internal Medicine Specialty Internship at CSU (2018-2019) and a ECVIM-CA Residency at Ospedale Veterinario Anicura I Portoni Rossi (2019-2022), under the supervision of Dr. Fabio Procoli. In 2023, he obtained the ECVIM-CA Diploma in Internal Medicine. He currently works as an internal medicine clinician at Clinica Veterinaria Valdinievole (Italy) and serves as Webmaster of the European Society of Comparative Gastroenterology (ESCG). His main interests include gastroenterology, hepatology, and pancreatic diseases in companion animals.

Prof., Dr. med. vet., Dr. habil.,  DipECVIM-CA

Stefan Unterer is Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine and Director of the Small Animal Internal Medicine Clinic at the Vetsuisse Faculty Zurich, Switzerland. He completed his internship and residency in small animal internal medicine at the University of Zürich,Switzerland and University of Georgia,USA. Stefan Unterer became board-certified by the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2003. After one year in private practice, he returned to academia and became a faculty member at the University of Munich/Germany. He finished his habilitation thesis in 2016. Stefan Unterer is member of the Comparative Gastroenterology Society (CGS), the European Society of Comparative Gastroenterology (ESCG), and the Society of Comparative Hepatology. He supports the Examination Committe of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

His clinical research projects include the intestinal microbiome, acute hemorrhagic diarrhea in dogs, intestinal barrier function and longterm consequences of acute enteritis.

MD, PhD

Dr. Natalia Wagemans is the Global Head of the Purina Institute with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Dr. Wagemans graduated in pediatrics with postgraduate certification in neonatology. Her academic career was related to pediatric healthcare and nutrition in the State Medical University in Russia. Her PhD scientific research was performed in the field of iodine deficiency and the cardiovascular system in children. She has over 100 scientific presentations at different medical and scientific forums and over 40 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Wagemans joined Nestlé in 2002 working in different areas of infant nutrition in Russia and CIS, India, Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, and Switzerland. In 2014 she was appointed as the Global Head of the Nestle Nutrition Institute (NNI) in Switzerland, and since 2020, Dr. Wagemans has led the Purina Institute, a global organization dedicated to sharing the latest companion animal nutrition knowledge and breakthrough research with veterinary healthcare professionals worldwide to help pets live longer and better lives.

MedVet, DrVetMed, PhD, AGAF, DACVM

Jan S. Suchodolski graduated with a veterinary degree from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria. After working for several years in a small animal specialty clinic he returned to academia and received his PhD in Veterinary Microbiology from Texas A&M University for his work on molecular markers for the assessment of the intestinal microbiota. He is board-certified in immunology by the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM). He currently serves as Professor and Associate Director of the GI Lab. He has published more than 400 peer-review manuscripts in the field of veterinary gastroenterology and microbiome. Dr. Suchodolski is the Purina PetCare Endowed Chair in Microbiome Research

DVM, PhD

Dr. Emanuela Kayser is a Senior Nutritionist at Nestlé Purina, specialized in companion animal nutrition with a focus on gut health. She holds a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she conducted extensive research on functional ingredients and their effects on glycemic response, immune function, fecal metabolites, gut microbiome, and nutrient digestibility in dogs and cats. Prior to that, she earned her degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Federal University of Lavras in Brazil.

DVM, MSc, DECVIM-CA (Internal Medicine)

Dr. Francesco Lotti graduated from the University of Pisa in 2014. After working at Clinica Veterinaria Valdinievole (Italy), he moved to Colorado State University (CSU) in 2016, where he completed a Master of Science in 2018 focused on gastroesophageal reflux in anesthetized dogs, leading to publications in AJVR and JSAP. He then pursued an Internal Medicine Specialty Internship at CSU (2018-2019) and a ECVIM-CA Residency at Ospedale Veterinario Anicura I Portoni Rossi (2019-2022), under the supervision of Dr. Fabio Procoli. In 2023, he obtained the ECVIM-CA Diploma in Internal Medicine. He currently works as an internal medicine clinician at Clinica Veterinaria Valdinievole (Italy) and serves as Webmaster of the European Society of Comparative Gastroenterology (ESCG). His main interests include gastroenterology, hepatology, and pancreatic diseases in companion animals.

MD, PhD

Dr. Natalia Wagemans is the Global Head of the Purina Institute with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Dr. Wagemans graduated in pediatrics with postgraduate certification in neonatology. Her academic career was related to pediatric healthcare and nutrition in the State Medical University in Russia. Her PhD scientific research was performed in the field of iodine deficiency and the cardiovascular system in children. She has over 100 scientific presentations at different medical and scientific forums and over 40 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Wagemans joined Nestlé in 2002 working in different areas of infant nutrition in Russia and CIS, India, Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, and Switzerland. In 2014 she was appointed as the Global Head of the Nestle Nutrition Institute (NNI) in Switzerland, and since 2020, Dr. Wagemans has led the Purina Institute, a global organization dedicated to sharing the latest companion animal nutrition knowledge and breakthrough research with veterinary healthcare professionals worldwide to help pets live longer and better lives.

MedVet, DrVetMed, PhD, AGAF, DACVM

Jan S. Suchodolski graduated with a veterinary degree from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria. After working for several years in a small animal specialty clinic he returned to academia and received his PhD in Veterinary Microbiology from Texas A&M University for his work on molecular markers for the assessment of the intestinal microbiota. He is board-certified in immunology by the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM). He currently serves as Professor and Associate Director of the GI Lab. He has published more than 400 peer-review manuscripts in the field of veterinary gastroenterology and microbiome. Dr. Suchodolski is the Purina PetCare Endowed Chair in Microbiome Research