More bios will be added when available
Kari Ekenstedt, DVM, PhD (5th IDHW Speaker/Theme Leader, Theme #3: Big Data)
Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University
Dr. Kari Ekenstedt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences at Purdue University's College of Veterinary Medicine. She earned her PhD in Comparative and Molecular Biosciences and her DVM, both from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Ekenstedt is the director of the Purdue Canine Genetics Laboratory, where her research group investigates naturally occurring genetic diseases in dogs (and occasionally cats) and develops genetic tests to help guide breeders. These tests are offered through Purdue's Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, a non-profit entity. Dr. Ekenstedt's other "hat" is to teach comparative gross anatomy to the first-year veterinary students at Purdue.
When Dr. Ekenstedt is not in the lab or teaching, she is usually deep into a book, feeding her bibliophilic addiction. She shares her home with one chunky cat and zero dogs (this allows her to be Switzerland when it comes to any dog breed). Dr. Ekenstedt is a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan and even owns a [very small] part of the team!
Aimée Llewellyn-Zaidi (5th IDHW Speaker, Theme #2: Breeding for Health and Wellbeing)
HGTD Project Director, International Partnership for Dogs
Aimée is responsible for maintaining and developing Harmonization of Genetic Testing for Dogs database, as well as resources for genetic and health education and support. This includes updating the generic phenes (test) information, Breed Relevance Rating, and communication with our Collaborating Experts. In addition, Aimée fields queries from our DogWellNet.com members and breeders on issues related to genetics and genetic counselling.
Formerly Head of Health and Research at the (Royal) Kennel Club, Aimée provided bespoke advice to Kennel Club clients, and developed evidence-based canine health resources and engagement programs for the public and professional. Aimée's experience includes development of health teams and collaboration building, active engagement and involvement with committees such as the Kennel Club and British Veterinary Association (Canine Health Schemes); direct collaboration with international universities, and the former Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust, and engagement with projects such as Vet Compass (RVC). She is an experience presenter, with engagements ranging from BSAVA Congress to virtual genetic education meetings, as well as numerous publications and media engagements. Aimée was also involved in the initial development of the journal “Canine Genetics and Epidemiology,” and remains active as an editorial board member.
When not working on the Harmonization of Genetic Testing for Dogs, Aimée spends her time walking her Pembroke Welsh Corgis, McDuff and Poppy.
Dr. Dan O’Neill (5th IDHW Speaker, Theme #2: Breeding for Health and Wellbeing)
Associate Professor Companion Animal Epidemiology, RVC
MVB BSc(hons) GPCert(SAP) GPCert(FelP) GPCert(Derm) GPCert(B&PS) PGCertVetEd FHEA MSc(VetEpi) PhD FRCVS
Following 22 years in general practice, Dan is now Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC where he co-leads the VetCompass™ Programme. As well as over 140 papers covering the epidemiology of companion animals with a specific focus on extreme conformations in dogs, he has also authored the books ‘Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats’ and ‘Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Companion Animals’. He chairs the UK Brachycephalic Working Group and is a founding and board member of the UK Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs and the International Collaborative on Extreme Conformation in Dogs.
Dan was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2018, the BSAVA Blaine Award for Advancement of Small Animal Science in 2019 and the International Canine Health Award from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust in 2021.
Rowena Packer (5th IDHW Moderator, Theme #1: Supply and Demand – Every Dog Counts)
Rowena is the Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College, London. Rowena leads a research group exploring diverse topics in this area, including the impact of chronic and inherited disorders on dog behaviour and welfare, and the impact of owner knowledge, attitudes and behaviour on canine welfare.
She has received >£1.9 million of research funding to date, of which ~£750,000 has been held as Principal Investigator. She held an independent BBSRC Future Leader Research Fellowship from 2017-2021.
Rowena has co-authored >90 peer reviewed papers and book chapters since 2012 and co-edited the textbook ‘Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Companion Animals’ (2021).
Rowena holds a PhD from the Royal Veterinary College (2013) which explored the impact of extreme conformation on canine health, a 1st Class BSc (Hons) in Animal Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Bristol (2009), and a PGCert in Veterinary Education from the Royal Veterinary College (2021).
Rowena is an Editorial Board Member for the journal Scientific Reports, a Coordinating Group Member for the Animal Welfare Research Network, a Canine Scientific Advisory Committee Member for Guide Dogs, and a founding member of Brachycephalic Working Group and the Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs.
Marc Ralsky – CEO, International Partnership for Dogs
Marc joined IPFD as CEO on October 3, 2022.
He has broad experience as a not-for-profit leader and has worked extensively with fundraising and corporate sponsorship with various organizations.
Marc is a board member of the Canadian Kennel Club. He owns and breeds Siberian Huskies, and co-owns Toy Manchesters, and Samoyeds and shows them in conformation shows worldwide. Marc is also an experienced writer on dog-related topics.
Dr. Alison Skipper (5th IDHW Speaker, Theme #4: Does the colour matter? Defining Breed vs Variety)
Postdoctoral Researcher in Canine Health Research, VetCompass Animal Surveillance, Royal Veterinary College
Alison is a British veterinarian with extensive experience of pedigree dog health work. She has been part of the veterinary team at Crufts for over a decade and has served on various health-related committees at the Royal Kennel Club and elsewhere.
Alison has a PhD in the history of breed-related disease in pedigree dogs and is currently a postdoctoral researcher in canine health research at the Royal Veterinary College.
She is particularly interested in improving communication between stakeholders in pedigree dog health, and in using history as a tool to better understand and productively engage with the issues that face this sector today.
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