Dr. Monica Aleman obtained her veterinary degree at the University UNAM-Mexico. She completed residencies in large animal internal medicine (equine emphasis) and neurology and neurosurgery at UC Davis; and achieved board certification for both specialties by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. She completed a PhD in comparative pathology in neuromuscular disorders at UC Davis. Her research and clinical interest have focused in neurology, neuromuscular and muscle disorders in all species with equine emphasis. She is a full professor of the equine internal medicine and neurology services, chief of service of equine internal medicine, and co-Director of the Neuromuscular Disease Laboratory at UC Davis where samples from both humans and animals are processed. Dr. Aleman is one of the founding members of the Equine and Comparative Neurology Research Group, and is affiliated with the Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory at UC Davis. Dr. Aleman is author of over 110 peer reviewed medical publications, over 100 proceedings and abstracts, and over 30 book chapters; and is a regular speaker in national and international meetings. Dr. Aleman has served as a reviewer for scientific journals, and grant committees. Dr. Aleman is regularly consulted in challenging cases with neurologic and muscle disease throughout the world. Currently, she works in the investigation of neurologic and neuromuscular disorders in multiple species including humans. Dr. Aleman was recently appointed the Terry Holliday Presidential Endowed chair in Comparative Neurology by the University of California at Davis, and awarded an alumni recognition for Excellence in teaching, service, and research by the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Dr. Bertone is interested in areas of pharmacology and physiology that directly affect clinical veterinary medicine and the health of horses. His preference is that these areas be investigated with spontaneous disease in clinical cases. He is also interested in developing new teaching methods for students that increase learning by practice without risk to animals.

Bio to follow.

Gemma combines her time between research and outreach as Director of Equine Behaviour at The Horse Trust and running a referral clinic for clinical equine behaviour cases where she is based at the University of Edinburgh.

After working in ambulatory practice Gemma undertook a rotating residency programme in the equine hospital alongside an MScR investigating horse veterinarian interactions.

Subsequently she completed her CCAB (certified clinical animal behaviourist) exam and her PhD thesis ‘Stress in equids undergoing veterinary care and the development of interventions that positively influence the horses’ experience’. As well as continuing with her own research she supervises several students at PhD, MSc and undergraduate level. Subsequently she has been recognised as the first species specific RCVS specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine (Equine).

Gemma is frequently invited to lecture internationally, as a recognised expert in this field and an excellent communicator. One of the most successful projects was filming a series of short YouTube videos with the British Equine Veterinary Association aiming to reduce injury rates when dealing with difficult horses under the ‘Don’t break your vet’ campaign.

In her spare time she has competed up to advanced level endurance on a homebred horse as well as enjoying competing in affiliated dressage and eventing. Currently she is retraining a Thoroughbred recently retired from racing.