Ana Luísa Lourenço

Assistant professor at UTAD

Assistant professor at UTAD, teaches and researches in the areas of Animal Physiology and Nutrition.

In 1999 Master's degree in Animal Production at UTAD.

In 2003 Degree in Veterinary Medicine at UTAD.

In 2008 PhD in Animal Science at UTAD.

Between 2012-2015 did a residency at the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition, which took place in Utrecht in the Netherlands, Ghent in Belgium and at UTAD.

In 2016 obtained the title of EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition.

In 2017 founded the spin-off company UTAD (Nut4Pet, Lda) which provides consultancy services in the specialized area of pet nutrition.

Charly Pignon

DVM, Dip ECZM (Small Mammal), Clinical Associate Professor in Zoological Medicine, Alfort National Veterinary School, France

Charly Pignon was graduated in 2005 from Alfort National Veterinary School (France) and did his veterinary thesis on a wildlife conservation project in Cambodia. Then he worked in the wildlife rescue center in Alfort and worked in Paris Zoo (la Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes). In 2009, Charly Pignon completed an Exotic Medicine Internship at Tufts University and when he came back to France he created the Exotic Medicine Service in Alfort National Veterinary School. Charly Pignon is a Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Small mammals), member of the Executive Committee, a board member of Yaboumba (French association for continuing education in exotic and wild animals), and was president of the Association of Exotics Mammal Veterinarian (AEMV). His field of interest are pain management in exotics medicine, endoscopy, and his current field of research are ear surgeries and orthopedic surgeries in small mammals, and blood transfusion in ferrets.

Ana Martins Bessa

Assistant Professor of the Veterinary Sciences Department at University of Trás-os-Montes and Researcher at CECAV-UTAD

Assistant Professor of the Veterinary Sciences Department at University of Trás-os-Montes and Researcher at CECAV-UTAD, Portugal. In charge for the Animal Reproduction Medicine Service of the UTAD Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Technical University of Lisbon. European PhD in Veterinary Sciences from the Veterinary Faculty- Complutense University of Madrid-, in dog semen cryopreservation technology. She attended the Advanced Training Program in Companion Animal Reproduction I and II at the European School of Advanced Veterinary Studies (ESAVS). Publication of several articles in specialized journals on theriogenology being the main areas of interest the new reproductive technologies, reproductive medicine in small animals, and the use of animal models for understanding reproductive ageing.

Luís Montenegro

DVM, Clinical Director at the Montenegro Veterinary Hospital

Graduated in Veterinary Medicine from UTAD in 1992, he has been practicing as a small animal clinician in the city of Porto since his graduation. Since 1999, he has held the position of Clinical Director at the Montenegro Veterinary Hospital. In addition to being a general practitioner, his main areas of interest are reproduction and surgery. He has also participated as a speaker at various national and international conferences. Since 2009, he has been a guest lecturer in the Gynecology and Obstetrics course at the Veterinary Medicine program at Lusófona University. Since the first edition in 2005, he has been involved in organizing the annual congress of the Montenegro Veterinary Hospital. In 2010, he completed a master’s degree at UTAD in the field of reproduction, focusing his dissertation on reproductive emergencies. He contributed to and published the chapter "Reproductive Emergencies" in the 8th edition of the Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Ettinger, Feldman, and Côté).

Marc Yeste

PhD, Professor of Cell Biology, University of Girona, Spain

Marc Yeste graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Biology), and earned a European PhD in Cell Biology. He also graduated with a Bachelor of Political and Social Sciences, and a Bachelor of Laws, and read additional BA (Phil) courses. He was previously Visiting Researcher at the Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London; Postdoctoral Researcher (Juan de la Cierva) at the Autonomous University of Barcelona; Senior Postdoc (Marie Curie) at the University of Oxford; and Senior Research Fellow (Ramón y Cajal) at the University of Girona. Currently, he is an ICREA Academia Professor at the Department of Biology, University of Girona. His research is focused on Reproductive Biology and Fertility in humans and other mammals (including farm, lab and companion animals). He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA), Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), Fellow of the Young Academy of Europe (YAE), and a Member of the Royal European Academy of Doctors. Since 2023, he is the Secretary of the Young Academy of Europe

Gonçalo De Graça Pereira

DVM, MsC, PhD, Dip ECAWBM (BM), Dip ECAWBM (AWSEL)

Veterinary Degree at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Lisbon. Master in Clinical Ethology and Animal Welfare at the Faculty of Veterinary from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. PhD in Veterinary Science at the Institute of Biomedical Science Abel Salazar in O’Porto. EBVS specialist in Behavioural Medicine and Diplomate in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Legislation by the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine. Secretary of the Executive Committee from the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS). Vice-President of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology (ESVCE). President (2017-2020) of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (ECAWBM). Founder and President (2011-2017) of PsiAnimal – Portuguese Association of Behavioural Therapy and Animal Welfare. Professor of Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Ethics both in the Veterinary Master and Veterinary Nurse Degree of the Egas Moniz School of Health and Science. Lecturer in Seminars, Conferences and Congresses national and internationally. Author, Co-author and Coordinator of several studies in animal behaviour and welfare science.

Hasan Sontas

Dr. Hasan Sontas earned the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University in 1999. In 2005, he received his PhD degree at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of Istanbul University. Between 2012 and 2014, he worked at the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Andrology at Vienna Veterinary University as a senior clinician. In 2013 he received his Associate Professor title in Turkey. Dr. Sontas became a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Reproduction (DiplECAR) in 2014.

He is the author of many peer-reviewed articles and co-author of a chapter in BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Reproduction and Neonatology, 2nd edition. He is a member of the Communication Committee of the European Board of Veterinary Specialization (EBVS) and the national representative of Austria and Turkey for EBVS. He became a board member of the European Veterinary Society for Small Animal Reproduction (EVSSAR) in 2023.

Currently, Dr. Sontas owns a private practice highly specialized in small animal reproduction in Vienna, Austria.

Stefano Romagnoli

DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl ECAR
Professor, Small Animal Reproduction University of Padova, Italy President, Italian Society for Animal Reproduction

Stefano Romagnoli graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pisa in 1982.  He was a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Minnesota (1984-86), where he completed a Master of Science Degree in Theriogenology.  He then returned to Italy as an Assistant (1987) and Associate Professor (1991) at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Pisa, and then joined the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Padova as a Full Professor in 2001.  

He is a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Reproduction, has co/authored 81 papers in refereed journals and more than 330 papers in total including non-refereed journals, book chapters, scientific abstracts, editorials and lay publications. His citation index and H-index are 1165 and 20, respectively. His research interests originally focused on ruminant reproduction, but he subsequently switched to small animal reproduction which has been the object of his clinical and research activity for the last 30 years.  His scientific activity has a special focus on reproduction in cats, as he has served as President of the Italian Feline Practitioners Association (1993-1999) and the European Society of Feline Medicine (2000-2006).  

He is keen in developing international relationships fostering collaborative research projects across countries and continents and advising foreign graduates.  He has also been President of the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (2008-2010), President of the European College of Animal Reproduction (2011-2014) and has served as Secretary of the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (2004-2008). During his involvement with EBVS, EAEVE and ECAR he has developed an interest for quality assessment of undergraduate and postgraduate education in the veterinary medical field and has been a team member or Chairperson or Coordinator of teams of experts assessing quality of undergraduate education in 14 veterinary schools in Europe and Asia. He developed the concept of, established and chaired the Reproduction Control Committee of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (2021-2024). He is the current (2019-2027) President of the Italian Society for Animal Reproduction

Jane Morrell

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala, Sweden

Originally from the United Kingdom, Jane Morrell is faculty Professor in Veterinary Reproductive Biotechnologies at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, Sweden. She is also a Diplomate of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, UK. She has been active in research for 40 years, first in the UK, then Germany, and now Sweden, principally in how to improve sperm quality to increase reproductive efficiency in a wide variety of species, from honey bees to elephants, although most of her work has been done in livestock and horses. Recently her research has focussed on the microbiome of the reproductive tract and how it can potentially be manipulated to improve fertility. She has had many international collaborations and in addition has hosted many PhD students and post- docs from other countries in her group in Uppsala. A particularly relevant topic for society today is antimicrobial resistance, and one aspect of her current research is to find alternatives to replace antibiotics in the semen extenders used in artificial insemination. Apart from the topics already mentioned, she is particularly interested in conservation of endangered species and rare breeds.

Joaquim Henriques

DVM, PhD, DIU-RIO, Head of Oncology Service Anicura Atlantico and Professor at Lusofona University of Lisbon

Graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Lisbon in 2000. Exclusive practice in small animal medical and surgical oncology. Founder and former clinical director of Hospital Veterinário Berna, the first Veterinary Oncology Reference Center in Lisbon (2012-2021). Responsible for implementing and developing the oncology referral service at the Centre Hospitalier Veterinaire Frégis in Paris. Responsible for oncology consultations and clinical teaching at the Maisons-Alfort Veterinary School in Paris (2021-2022). PhD in Biomedicine from the Faculty of Health Sciences at UBI. University Diploma from the Paris Saclay Faculty of Medicine in Interventional Radiology in Oncology. Former Secretary of the European Society of Veterinary Oncology. Head of the Oncology Reference Center at the Anicura Atlântico Hospital and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Lusófona University. Researcher at the iNOVA4Health Cancer Research Center at Nova Medical School. Author of several publications in international journals. Regular speaker at national and international conferences.

Graça Lopes (Chair)

DVM PhD

Graça Lopes holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Lisbon and a PhD in Veterinary Sciences from the Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Porto (ICBAS-UP). She is an Assistant Professor at ICBAS-UP, where she is responsible for the training of veterinary students in the fields of small animal and dairy cattle theriogenology. She has also taught small animal theriogenology to veterinary students in more than 10 different countries under the ERASMUS+ program. She is actively involved in international collaborative projects aimed at improving veterinary education and contributing to the improvement of teaching methods, particularly in the field of theriogenology. She has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed, indexed scientific articles and has presented her research at numerous international and national congresses. She also performs clinical activities at UPVET, ICBAS-UP, where she is responsible for the canine assisted reproduction service.

Sylvie Chastant

DVM, PhD, Dipl ECAR

Sylvie CHASTANT is a French vet (Alfort 1990), European specialist in animal reproduction (Dipl ECAR), currently president of the European College of Animal Reproduction, full member of the French Veterinary Academy, teacher-clinician-researcher in French National Veterinary Schools. She currently works at Alfort National Veterinary School in France. Her passions are knowledge sharing, clinical activities and applied research. She was offered the opportunity to work in many animal species, mainly bovine and carnivores and she is convinced about the importance of comparative physiopathology in reproduction. After having explored canine oocytes and embryos, she developed interest and research on canine and feline neonatalogy and pediatrics, with specific emphasis on colostrum, milk, birth weight, neonatal growth and nutrition, mortality causes and maternal programming in puppies and kittens.

Nazaré Cunha

DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECVCP EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology

Nazaré Pinto da Cunha graduated in Veterinary Medicine from University of Porto in 2005 and later earned a PhD in Animal Pathology, with a thesis on immunocytochemistry, from the University of Milan in 2010.

She completed a residency at the University of Milan by the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) and in 2011 became the first Portuguese European specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

Nazaré actively contributes to the field as a member of the Executive Committee of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ESVCP).

She has organized several meetings, including the first ECVCP Summer School and the European Congress in Lisbon in 2023.

She is the author of several articles published in international journals, a guest speaker at national and international congresses and courses, and a scientific reviewer.

She is a founding partner of Vedis laboratory, where she is currently clinical director, and an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Lusófona University in Lisbon.

Her main areas of interest are diagnostic cytology and immunocytochemistry.

Giovanni Burrai

DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECVP EBVS® specialist in Veterinary Pathology

Giovanni Burrai earned his degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Sassari in 2006, followed by a specialization in Animal Health, Breeding, and Zootechnical Production in 2011, and a PhD in Reproduction, Production, and Animal Welfare in 2014. He broadened his research and expertise during study periods at the University of Liverpool, Purdue University, and the University of Bologna. In 2020, he achieved board certification from the European College of Veterinary Pathologists (ECVP). He is currently an Associate Professor of Pathology at the University of Sassari’s Department of Veterinary Medicine, focusing on diagnosing diseases in both domestic and wild animals. Giovanni’s scientific contributions include numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences, with a special interest in canine and feline mammary tumors.

Martina Colombo

PhD, University of Milan | UNIMI · Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences

Martina Colombo is a researcher at the University of Milan (Italy). She started her research career in the same University, investigating enriched culture conditions for cryopreserved feline oocytes in collaboration with São Paulo State University (Brazil). She later obtained a PhD in Veterinary and Animal Science with studies focused on gamete long-term preservation and especially oocyte vitrification, also collaborating with the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Germany). Currently, her research concerns reproductive biotechnologies in animal models, and especially the use of three-dimensional culture systems and the study of intracellular mechanisms affected by cryopreservation.

Paulo Borges

DVM, MsC, Dip ECAR

Lecturer at Lusófona University (ULHT), Portugal

Paulo Borges graduated in the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal. Presented his master thesis in the topic of “Heat-Shock Proteins in the canine semen throughout cryopreservation techniques”. Paulo performed an internship in the University of Lisbon (FMV-UTL). During 6 years, he was an assistant consultant in the CERCA, ENVA (Centre d’Études en Reproduction des Carnivores) and co-responsible of the dog and cat breeding department (UMES) in the National Veterinary School of Alfort (ENVA) – Paris. He fulfilled the residency program of the European College of Animal Reproduction, in the CERCA-ENVA-Paris, becoming an ECAR diplomate in 2015. After one year working in a private practice in Paris, he did between 2017-2018, one year as a PhD student in the NeoCare Unit of the National Veterinary School of Toulouse (ENVT) in the field of infectious diseases in neonatalogy and pediatrics in dogs. Furthermore, he worked in the carnivores semen bank, CRECS, in the south of France for one year. He created the reproduction center of Atlantico Anicura Veterinary Hospital from 2020-2023. He now works as a reference consultant and lecturer in reproduction and collectivity medicine mainly in Portugal and he is the responsible of the reproduction service in Allvetcare Hospital, in Alverca, Portugal. He is an assistant professor in the Lusófona University in Lisbon, Portugal since 2016. He was the vice-president of the reproduction group in France, GERES-AFVAC. He was former secretary and now he is vice-president of the European Veterinary Society for Small Animal Reproduction (EVSSAR). He has been invited to lecture in different countries in South America, Asia and Europe. He is also author and co-author of several scientific articles, along with several chapters of books and manuscripts.

Helio De Morais

DVM, PhD, ACVIM (SAIM & Cardiology) Professor, Oregon State University

Dr. Helio Autran de Morais graduated from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and went on to earn a PhD. He completed a dual residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine and Cardiology at Ohio State University and is board-certified in both specialties by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Additionally, he holds certifications in Veterinary Hospital Management from Purdue University and the AAHA. Currently a professor at Oregon State University, Dr. de Morais integrates AI tools into his daily professional and personal activities. Dr. de Morais has authored over 200 publications, including more than 70 book chapters in leading veterinary textbooks and is a sought-after speaker globally.

Wojciech Nizanski

DVM, professor, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wrocław

Wojciech Nizanski graduated in 1992 at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wrocław, Poland. He defended PhD on cryopreservation of the dog semen in 1999 and habilitation on artificial insemination in relation to semen quality in dogs in 2009. From the year 2011 is employed as a university professor. Current Head of the Department of Reproduction on Wroclaw Vet Faculty since 2009. Member of the Board of the European Society for Veterinary Small Animal Reproduction EVSSAR in 2007-2013 and President of EVSSAR 2011-2013. Member of the Board of Society for Biology of Reproduction in Poland. Current Chair of Committee for Veterinary Sciences and Biology of Reproduction of Polish Academy of Sciences (2020-2024 and 2024-2028). Chair of Veterinary Discipline of Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences 2019-2024. Current President of Polish Small Animal Veterinary Association PSAVA. He has published more than 200 original studies, reviews and books dedicated small animal reproduction for practitioners, students and academics. Invited speaker of many national and international Congresses (Congresses ESDAR, ISCFR, EVSSAR, WSAVA, AI Vets, AGHR, ALARPA, CBRA, PSAVA, WVA etc). In 2014 received the title of Full Professor of veterinary sciences. Active practitioner on the field of animal reproduction, especially artificial insemination and fertility disorders in males and females. Researcher on the field of the use of Assisted Reproduction Technologies in programs of rescue of endangered animal species. He established in Wroclaw Bank of Gametes and Somatic Cells of Companion Animals and Endangered Animal Species. Has organized many international workshops and conferences dedicated reproduction of animals.

Ana Luísa Lourenço

Assistant professor at UTAD

Assistant professor at UTAD, teaches and researches in the areas of Animal Physiology and Nutrition.

In 1999 Master's degree in Animal Production at UTAD.

In 2003 Degree in Veterinary Medicine at UTAD.

In 2008 PhD in Animal Science at UTAD.

Between 2012-2015 did a residency at the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition, which took place in Utrecht in the Netherlands, Ghent in Belgium and at UTAD.

In 2016 obtained the title of EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition.

In 2017 founded the spin-off company UTAD (Nut4Pet, Lda) which provides consultancy services in the specialized area of pet nutrition.

Charly Pignon

DVM, Dip ECZM (Small Mammal), Clinical Associate Professor in Zoological Medicine, Alfort National Veterinary School, France

Charly Pignon was graduated in 2005 from Alfort National Veterinary School (France) and did his veterinary thesis on a wildlife conservation project in Cambodia. Then he worked in the wildlife rescue center in Alfort and worked in Paris Zoo (la Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes). In 2009, Charly Pignon completed an Exotic Medicine Internship at Tufts University and when he came back to France he created the Exotic Medicine Service in Alfort National Veterinary School. Charly Pignon is a Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Small mammals), member of the Executive Committee, a board member of Yaboumba (French association for continuing education in exotic and wild animals), and was president of the Association of Exotics Mammal Veterinarian (AEMV). His field of interest are pain management in exotics medicine, endoscopy, and his current field of research are ear surgeries and orthopedic surgeries in small mammals, and blood transfusion in ferrets.

Ana Martins Bessa

Assistant Professor of the Veterinary Sciences Department at University of Trás-os-Montes and Researcher at CECAV-UTAD

Assistant Professor of the Veterinary Sciences Department at University of Trás-os-Montes and Researcher at CECAV-UTAD, Portugal. In charge for the Animal Reproduction Medicine Service of the UTAD Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Technical University of Lisbon. European PhD in Veterinary Sciences from the Veterinary Faculty- Complutense University of Madrid-, in dog semen cryopreservation technology. She attended the Advanced Training Program in Companion Animal Reproduction I and II at the European School of Advanced Veterinary Studies (ESAVS). Publication of several articles in specialized journals on theriogenology being the main areas of interest the new reproductive technologies, reproductive medicine in small animals, and the use of animal models for understanding reproductive ageing.

Luís Montenegro

DVM, Clinical Director at the Montenegro Veterinary Hospital

Graduated in Veterinary Medicine from UTAD in 1992, he has been practicing as a small animal clinician in the city of Porto since his graduation. Since 1999, he has held the position of Clinical Director at the Montenegro Veterinary Hospital. In addition to being a general practitioner, his main areas of interest are reproduction and surgery. He has also participated as a speaker at various national and international conferences. Since 2009, he has been a guest lecturer in the Gynecology and Obstetrics course at the Veterinary Medicine program at Lusófona University. Since the first edition in 2005, he has been involved in organizing the annual congress of the Montenegro Veterinary Hospital. In 2010, he completed a master’s degree at UTAD in the field of reproduction, focusing his dissertation on reproductive emergencies. He contributed to and published the chapter "Reproductive Emergencies" in the 8th edition of the Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Ettinger, Feldman, and Côté).

Marc Yeste

PhD, Professor of Cell Biology, University of Girona, Spain

Marc Yeste graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Biology), and earned a European PhD in Cell Biology. He also graduated with a Bachelor of Political and Social Sciences, and a Bachelor of Laws, and read additional BA (Phil) courses. He was previously Visiting Researcher at the Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London; Postdoctoral Researcher (Juan de la Cierva) at the Autonomous University of Barcelona; Senior Postdoc (Marie Curie) at the University of Oxford; and Senior Research Fellow (Ramón y Cajal) at the University of Girona. Currently, he is an ICREA Academia Professor at the Department of Biology, University of Girona. His research is focused on Reproductive Biology and Fertility in humans and other mammals (including farm, lab and companion animals). He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA), Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), Fellow of the Young Academy of Europe (YAE), and a Member of the Royal European Academy of Doctors. Since 2023, he is the Secretary of the Young Academy of Europe

Gonçalo De Graça Pereira

DVM, MsC, PhD, Dip ECAWBM (BM), Dip ECAWBM (AWSEL)

Veterinary Degree at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Lisbon. Master in Clinical Ethology and Animal Welfare at the Faculty of Veterinary from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. PhD in Veterinary Science at the Institute of Biomedical Science Abel Salazar in O’Porto. EBVS specialist in Behavioural Medicine and Diplomate in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Legislation by the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine. Secretary of the Executive Committee from the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS). Vice-President of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology (ESVCE). President (2017-2020) of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (ECAWBM). Founder and President (2011-2017) of PsiAnimal – Portuguese Association of Behavioural Therapy and Animal Welfare. Professor of Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Ethics both in the Veterinary Master and Veterinary Nurse Degree of the Egas Moniz School of Health and Science. Lecturer in Seminars, Conferences and Congresses national and internationally. Author, Co-author and Coordinator of several studies in animal behaviour and welfare science.

Hasan Sontas

Dr. Hasan Sontas earned the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University in 1999. In 2005, he received his PhD degree at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of Istanbul University. Between 2012 and 2014, he worked at the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Andrology at Vienna Veterinary University as a senior clinician. In 2013 he received his Associate Professor title in Turkey. Dr. Sontas became a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Reproduction (DiplECAR) in 2014.

He is the author of many peer-reviewed articles and co-author of a chapter in BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Reproduction and Neonatology, 2nd edition. He is a member of the Communication Committee of the European Board of Veterinary Specialization (EBVS) and the national representative of Austria and Turkey for EBVS. He became a board member of the European Veterinary Society for Small Animal Reproduction (EVSSAR) in 2023.

Currently, Dr. Sontas owns a private practice highly specialized in small animal reproduction in Vienna, Austria.

Stefano Romagnoli

DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl ECAR
Professor, Small Animal Reproduction University of Padova, Italy President, Italian Society for Animal Reproduction

Stefano Romagnoli graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pisa in 1982.  He was a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Minnesota (1984-86), where he completed a Master of Science Degree in Theriogenology.  He then returned to Italy as an Assistant (1987) and Associate Professor (1991) at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Pisa, and then joined the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Padova as a Full Professor in 2001.  

He is a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Reproduction, has co/authored 81 papers in refereed journals and more than 330 papers in total including non-refereed journals, book chapters, scientific abstracts, editorials and lay publications. His citation index and H-index are 1165 and 20, respectively. His research interests originally focused on ruminant reproduction, but he subsequently switched to small animal reproduction which has been the object of his clinical and research activity for the last 30 years.  His scientific activity has a special focus on reproduction in cats, as he has served as President of the Italian Feline Practitioners Association (1993-1999) and the European Society of Feline Medicine (2000-2006).  

He is keen in developing international relationships fostering collaborative research projects across countries and continents and advising foreign graduates.  He has also been President of the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (2008-2010), President of the European College of Animal Reproduction (2011-2014) and has served as Secretary of the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (2004-2008). During his involvement with EBVS, EAEVE and ECAR he has developed an interest for quality assessment of undergraduate and postgraduate education in the veterinary medical field and has been a team member or Chairperson or Coordinator of teams of experts assessing quality of undergraduate education in 14 veterinary schools in Europe and Asia. He developed the concept of, established and chaired the Reproduction Control Committee of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (2021-2024). He is the current (2019-2027) President of the Italian Society for Animal Reproduction

Jane Morrell

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala, Sweden

Originally from the United Kingdom, Jane Morrell is faculty Professor in Veterinary Reproductive Biotechnologies at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, Sweden. She is also a Diplomate of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, UK. She has been active in research for 40 years, first in the UK, then Germany, and now Sweden, principally in how to improve sperm quality to increase reproductive efficiency in a wide variety of species, from honey bees to elephants, although most of her work has been done in livestock and horses. Recently her research has focussed on the microbiome of the reproductive tract and how it can potentially be manipulated to improve fertility. She has had many international collaborations and in addition has hosted many PhD students and post- docs from other countries in her group in Uppsala. A particularly relevant topic for society today is antimicrobial resistance, and one aspect of her current research is to find alternatives to replace antibiotics in the semen extenders used in artificial insemination. Apart from the topics already mentioned, she is particularly interested in conservation of endangered species and rare breeds.

Joaquim Henriques

DVM, PhD, DIU-RIO, Head of Oncology Service Anicura Atlantico and Professor at Lusofona University of Lisbon

Graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Lisbon in 2000. Exclusive practice in small animal medical and surgical oncology. Founder and former clinical director of Hospital Veterinário Berna, the first Veterinary Oncology Reference Center in Lisbon (2012-2021). Responsible for implementing and developing the oncology referral service at the Centre Hospitalier Veterinaire Frégis in Paris. Responsible for oncology consultations and clinical teaching at the Maisons-Alfort Veterinary School in Paris (2021-2022). PhD in Biomedicine from the Faculty of Health Sciences at UBI. University Diploma from the Paris Saclay Faculty of Medicine in Interventional Radiology in Oncology. Former Secretary of the European Society of Veterinary Oncology. Head of the Oncology Reference Center at the Anicura Atlântico Hospital and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Lusófona University. Researcher at the iNOVA4Health Cancer Research Center at Nova Medical School. Author of several publications in international journals. Regular speaker at national and international conferences.

Graça Lopes (Chair)

DVM PhD

Graça Lopes holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Lisbon and a PhD in Veterinary Sciences from the Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Porto (ICBAS-UP). She is an Assistant Professor at ICBAS-UP, where she is responsible for the training of veterinary students in the fields of small animal and dairy cattle theriogenology. She has also taught small animal theriogenology to veterinary students in more than 10 different countries under the ERASMUS+ program. She is actively involved in international collaborative projects aimed at improving veterinary education and contributing to the improvement of teaching methods, particularly in the field of theriogenology. She has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed, indexed scientific articles and has presented her research at numerous international and national congresses. She also performs clinical activities at UPVET, ICBAS-UP, where she is responsible for the canine assisted reproduction service.

Sylvie Chastant

DVM, PhD, Dipl ECAR

Sylvie CHASTANT is a French vet (Alfort 1990), European specialist in animal reproduction (Dipl ECAR), currently president of the European College of Animal Reproduction, full member of the French Veterinary Academy, teacher-clinician-researcher in French National Veterinary Schools. She currently works at Alfort National Veterinary School in France. Her passions are knowledge sharing, clinical activities and applied research. She was offered the opportunity to work in many animal species, mainly bovine and carnivores and she is convinced about the importance of comparative physiopathology in reproduction. After having explored canine oocytes and embryos, she developed interest and research on canine and feline neonatalogy and pediatrics, with specific emphasis on colostrum, milk, birth weight, neonatal growth and nutrition, mortality causes and maternal programming in puppies and kittens.

Nazaré Cunha

DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECVCP EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology

Nazaré Pinto da Cunha graduated in Veterinary Medicine from University of Porto in 2005 and later earned a PhD in Animal Pathology, with a thesis on immunocytochemistry, from the University of Milan in 2010.

She completed a residency at the University of Milan by the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) and in 2011 became the first Portuguese European specialist in Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

Nazaré actively contributes to the field as a member of the Executive Committee of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ESVCP).

She has organized several meetings, including the first ECVCP Summer School and the European Congress in Lisbon in 2023.

She is the author of several articles published in international journals, a guest speaker at national and international congresses and courses, and a scientific reviewer.

She is a founding partner of Vedis laboratory, where she is currently clinical director, and an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Lusófona University in Lisbon.

Her main areas of interest are diagnostic cytology and immunocytochemistry.

Giovanni Burrai

DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECVP EBVS® specialist in Veterinary Pathology

Giovanni Burrai earned his degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Sassari in 2006, followed by a specialization in Animal Health, Breeding, and Zootechnical Production in 2011, and a PhD in Reproduction, Production, and Animal Welfare in 2014. He broadened his research and expertise during study periods at the University of Liverpool, Purdue University, and the University of Bologna. In 2020, he achieved board certification from the European College of Veterinary Pathologists (ECVP). He is currently an Associate Professor of Pathology at the University of Sassari’s Department of Veterinary Medicine, focusing on diagnosing diseases in both domestic and wild animals. Giovanni’s scientific contributions include numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences, with a special interest in canine and feline mammary tumors.

Martina Colombo

PhD, University of Milan | UNIMI · Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences

Martina Colombo is a researcher at the University of Milan (Italy). She started her research career in the same University, investigating enriched culture conditions for cryopreserved feline oocytes in collaboration with São Paulo State University (Brazil). She later obtained a PhD in Veterinary and Animal Science with studies focused on gamete long-term preservation and especially oocyte vitrification, also collaborating with the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Germany). Currently, her research concerns reproductive biotechnologies in animal models, and especially the use of three-dimensional culture systems and the study of intracellular mechanisms affected by cryopreservation.

Paulo Borges

DVM, MsC, Dip ECAR

Lecturer at Lusófona University (ULHT), Portugal

Paulo Borges graduated in the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal. Presented his master thesis in the topic of “Heat-Shock Proteins in the canine semen throughout cryopreservation techniques”. Paulo performed an internship in the University of Lisbon (FMV-UTL). During 6 years, he was an assistant consultant in the CERCA, ENVA (Centre d’Études en Reproduction des Carnivores) and co-responsible of the dog and cat breeding department (UMES) in the National Veterinary School of Alfort (ENVA) – Paris. He fulfilled the residency program of the European College of Animal Reproduction, in the CERCA-ENVA-Paris, becoming an ECAR diplomate in 2015. After one year working in a private practice in Paris, he did between 2017-2018, one year as a PhD student in the NeoCare Unit of the National Veterinary School of Toulouse (ENVT) in the field of infectious diseases in neonatalogy and pediatrics in dogs. Furthermore, he worked in the carnivores semen bank, CRECS, in the south of France for one year. He created the reproduction center of Atlantico Anicura Veterinary Hospital from 2020-2023. He now works as a reference consultant and lecturer in reproduction and collectivity medicine mainly in Portugal and he is the responsible of the reproduction service in Allvetcare Hospital, in Alverca, Portugal. He is an assistant professor in the Lusófona University in Lisbon, Portugal since 2016. He was the vice-president of the reproduction group in France, GERES-AFVAC. He was former secretary and now he is vice-president of the European Veterinary Society for Small Animal Reproduction (EVSSAR). He has been invited to lecture in different countries in South America, Asia and Europe. He is also author and co-author of several scientific articles, along with several chapters of books and manuscripts.

Helio De Morais

DVM, PhD, ACVIM (SAIM & Cardiology) Professor, Oregon State University

Dr. Helio Autran de Morais graduated from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and went on to earn a PhD. He completed a dual residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine and Cardiology at Ohio State University and is board-certified in both specialties by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Additionally, he holds certifications in Veterinary Hospital Management from Purdue University and the AAHA. Currently a professor at Oregon State University, Dr. de Morais integrates AI tools into his daily professional and personal activities. Dr. de Morais has authored over 200 publications, including more than 70 book chapters in leading veterinary textbooks and is a sought-after speaker globally.

Wojciech Nizanski

DVM, professor, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wrocław

Wojciech Nizanski graduated in 1992 at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wrocław, Poland. He defended PhD on cryopreservation of the dog semen in 1999 and habilitation on artificial insemination in relation to semen quality in dogs in 2009. From the year 2011 is employed as a university professor. Current Head of the Department of Reproduction on Wroclaw Vet Faculty since 2009. Member of the Board of the European Society for Veterinary Small Animal Reproduction EVSSAR in 2007-2013 and President of EVSSAR 2011-2013. Member of the Board of Society for Biology of Reproduction in Poland. Current Chair of Committee for Veterinary Sciences and Biology of Reproduction of Polish Academy of Sciences (2020-2024 and 2024-2028). Chair of Veterinary Discipline of Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences 2019-2024. Current President of Polish Small Animal Veterinary Association PSAVA. He has published more than 200 original studies, reviews and books dedicated small animal reproduction for practitioners, students and academics. Invited speaker of many national and international Congresses (Congresses ESDAR, ISCFR, EVSSAR, WSAVA, AI Vets, AGHR, ALARPA, CBRA, PSAVA, WVA etc). In 2014 received the title of Full Professor of veterinary sciences. Active practitioner on the field of animal reproduction, especially artificial insemination and fertility disorders in males and females. Researcher on the field of the use of Assisted Reproduction Technologies in programs of rescue of endangered animal species. He established in Wroclaw Bank of Gametes and Somatic Cells of Companion Animals and Endangered Animal Species. Has organized many international workshops and conferences dedicated reproduction of animals.