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Presenters
Jody L. Gookin, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM
Distinguished Professor of Veterinary Research Scholars Education, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
WINNing Strategies for Addressing Diarrhea in Kittens
Dr. Jody Gookin completed her DVM at the University of California at Davis in 1993 followed by advanced clinical training at North Carolina State University as an Intern in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, a Fellow in Urology and Nephrology, and a Resident in Small Animal Internal Medicine. Dr. Gookin was board certified as a specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1998.
Following clinical training, Dr. Gookin completed a Ph.D. in Gastrointestinal Physiology where she focused on understanding how the gastrointestinal epithelium functions to promote defense and repair of the intestinal tract against injury and infection. Dr. Gookin is currently a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at North Carolina State University where her efforts are devoted to research in gastroenterology, clinical service in small animal internal medicine and teaching of veterinary students.
Dr. Gookin is recognized for her expertise in gastroenterology with a special emphasis on infectious causes of diarrheal disease. In 2011, Dr. Gookin’s research team and key collaborators were recognized by Winn Feline Foundation/American Veterinary Medical Foundation for their research contributions to advancement of feline medicine.
Emily C. Graff, DVM, PhD, Diplomate
Inherited Cerebral Disgenesis in Cats
She received her DVM from Texas A&M University, followed by a small animal internship and a residency in clinical pathology at Auburn University.
Dr. Graff was awarded the Charles and Sharron Capen Fellowship in Veterinary Pathology supported by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and Society for Toxicologic Pathology Coalition and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists She is also an active member of the Boshell Diabetes and Metabolic Disease Research Program.
Her primary research involves investigation of the relationship between adipose tissue and the immune system, and focuses on cats as an intermediate model of human obesity and disease. Additional research interests include investigation of the physiologic role of the HCA2 receptor in both adipose tissue and immune cells.
Katherine M. Lytle, DVM, MPH, MS
Using Genetic Panel Testing To Improve Health
Katie Lytle has a passion for science, pets and people. A graduate of the University of Florida, she has worked in private practice in both mixed animal and small animal
settings.
She now works for Wisdom Health™ where she is a Genetics Research Project Manager, working to bring
genetic disease test arrays to pet owners, breeders, and veterinarians.
In 2017 Dr. Lytle began an unprecedented research partnership to better understand the genetic "State of the Cat" The International Cat Association, TICA. The study's goal to screen 1,000 pedigreed cats of many breeds and household pet cats for genetic disease, morphological traits and genetic diversity has been nearly completed.
Kathryn M. Muers
Updates on the Genetis of Feline Cardiomyopathy
Dr. Meurs is a Professor and the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her DVM in 1990 at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and completed a small animal internship at North Carolina State University in 1991. She completed a Cardiology residency at Texas A&M University and is board certified from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology).
Dr. Meurs has a Ph.D. in Genetics from Texas A&M University and her areas of interest include familial aspects of cardiovascular disease, especially cardiomyopathy.
Glenn Olah, DVM, PhD, DABVP, WINN President
Cat Lovers Making a Difference For Cats with WINN
Glenn Olah is a practicing clinician at Albuquerque Cat Clinic in his home state of New Mexico. He has been volunteering with Winn for several years, and has provided valuable assistance in summarizing Winn’s scientific research for lay people. He is board certified in feline practice with ABVP, was a member and former chair of the AAFP Research Grant Committee, and is a board member of Felines and Friends, a cat rescue organization in Santa Fe, NM.
Dr. Olah holds a PhD in Physics from Rice University in Houston, TX, and he focused on biophysical and structural biology research for a number of years. Eventually, he pursued his desire to work as a veterinarian, receiving his DVM degree at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Involvement with Winn allows Dr. Olah to combine his research experience with his passion for feline medicine.
A published researcher and author, Dr. Olah still finds time to honor a number of professional commitments, including writing articles pertaining to feline medicine for veterinary magazines and helping feline rescue efforts in the Santa Fe area. He has also assumed the lead on coordinating Winn’s continuing education efforts with those of other veterinary organizations.
Drew Weigner, DVM, WINN President Elect
Cat Lovers Making a Difference For Cats with WINN
Drew Weigner is one of the first feline practitioners in the nation, having practiced medicine for more than 35 years. He graduated in 1982 from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1987, he established The Cat Doctor in Atlanta, the first feline practice in the southeastern United States, which became accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association in 1991.
Dr. Weigner served as president of the Academy of Feline Medicine in 2002 and as a board member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners for several terms. He has been a board director of the Winn Feline Foundation since 2014.
Dr. Weigner is the author of numerous scientific and consumer articles and is sought after as an expert in feline medicine by such organizations as CNN, the Chicago Tribune, and USA Today. He is dedicated to educating the public about feline issues and frequently appears in consumer magazine, newspaper, radio, television, Internet publications, and the WebMD® pet health community.
