The Scientific Advisory Panel works in a supporting and guiding role to the Animal Health Partners Research Chair in Veterinary Medical Innovation. The Scientific Advisory Panel provides scientific leadership to support the advancement of the Innovation Program. The Scientific Advisory Panel is comprised of members of the academic community, industry, and healthcare leadership.
The panel meets quarterly to review project proposals and to make recommendations on thematic and program focus.
We are delighted to have the following individuals, representing a dynamic cross-section of expertise in veterinary and human medicine, technology and business represented on the Scientific Advisory Panel.
Dr. Jeffrey Wichtel | DVM, BVsc, PhD, ACT
Co-Chair | Veterinary Innovation
Expertise: Ruminant Management Health
Dr. Jeffrey Wichtel has served as Dean of the OVC since 2015 and has extensive experience as a researcher, clinician, and administrator. Prior to his appointment to the OVC, he served on faculty in the Department of Health Management at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, where he also served as Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Research.
Dr. Howard Dobson | BVM&S, DVSc, Diplomate ACVR, Cert EO
Co-Chair | Veterinary Innovation
Expertise: Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, Translational Imaging and Interventional Radiology
Dr. Dobson is an independent imaging research consultant with a contract as Senior Director, Scientific and Medical Services, with Invicro, a global imaging contract research organization, and contracts with other research companies.
Ilya Bogorad | MBA
Member | Veterinary Innovation
Expertise: Corporate Finance, Strategy, Project Management and Operations Management
Ilya Bogorad serves as Executive Director of Strategy and Planning for the Ontario Veterinary College.
Dr. Marina Debernardi | DVM, PhD
Member | Veterinary Innovation
Expertise: Veterinary Nutrition, Business Development, Veterinary Market and Profession
Dr. Marina Debernardi serves as the Global Chief Veterinary Officer for Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
Dr. Jeremiah Easley | DVM, Dipl., ACVS
Member | Veterinary Innovation
Expertise: Preclinical Research, Translational Medicine, Surgery and Imaging
Dr. Jeremiah Easley serves as Co-Director Colorado State University Preclinical Surgical Research Laboratory.
Sam Lightstone | B.Sc. Eng., M.Math
Member | Veterinary Innovation
Expertise: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Deep Learning, Data Analytics, Big Data and Data Warehousing, Data Virtualization, Databases, IoT, Software Engineering, Cloud Computing.
Sam Lightstone serves as IBM Chief Technology Officer for Data, IBM Fellow and a Master Inventor in the IBM Data and AI group.
Mario Piccinin | BBA, MBA, CPA, CA
Member | Veterinary Innovation
Expertise: Assurance Partner at Ernst & Young LLP and Ontario Life Science Leader.
Mario Piccinin serves as a partner at Ernst & Young, LLP.
Scott Woodrow | B.A., C.A.
Member | Veterinary Innovation
Expertise: Translational Medicine, Diagnostics, Therapeutics, Business Development, Venture Capital, Innovation, Comparative Medicine.
Scott Woodrow is the Founder and President of Companion Healthcare Corporation and CEO of Animal Health Partners. He has over 20 years of international commercialization experience and was the founder and inventor of software company in data acquisition and informatics for mental health.
Interested in being considered for membership on the Scientific Advisory Panel?
The Scientific Advisory Panel thrives off of its multidisciplinary consortium and welcomes partners of various expertise.