Wendy Pearson | Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Wendy Pearson

Portrait of Dr. Wendy Pearson

Email: 
wpearson@uoguelph.ca

My research program seeks to understand the underlying physiology of diseases common in horses, and how these diseases can be modified with targeted nutrition, with a focus on cartilage biology.

Program

Animal Biosciences

About my research...

My research program seeks to understand the underlying physiology of diseases common in horses, and how these diseases can be modified with targeted nutrition, with a focus on cartilage biology. My students learn to develop in vitro and in vivo models of osteoarthritis, which are used to generate new knowledge on the progression of the disease and to evaluate putative nutritional interventions.

How my research improves life...

Osteoarthritis is a disease in horses for which there is no drug cure. Thus, nutritional management strategies offer the best potential for longterm improvement in clinical outcomes. Unfortunately however, many nutritional interventions such as nutraceuticals and medicinal plants have little or no research to substantiate or refute their usefulness. The research from our lab will generate new information on these strategies, leading to more evidence-based selection and improved health outcomes for arthritic horses.

Why chose grad studies at U of G?

The University of Guelph is the only place in Canada that offers non-veterinary graduate studies in equine physiology. My graduate program is peopled by vibrant, curious and intelligent students with a great passion for their work. Students have the opportunity to learn a wide range of in vitro culture and bench top laboratory techniques, as well as working with the horses in the barns.