Speakers

Warsaw

Prof. Michal Jank, DVM, PhD graduated in 1999 from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Currently in working at Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Warsaw University of Life Sciences (Poland). He teaches animal pharmacology and animal dietetics to veterinary medicine students and post-graduates. He is the author and co-author of many articles in the field of animal physiology, dietetics and nutrition. In his scientific work he is focused on the use of functional genomic tools in the evaluation of the effect of different biologically active substances on the animal growth and development as well as in other fields of veterinary medicine. He is also investigating the role of selected nutrients and additive on dogs and cats health and welfare. He developed several nutritional products and supplements offered on veterinary and pet market in Poland and several other countries. Since 2020 he works as RD Director in vet Planet Ltd. – a leading polish veterinary company.

Olsztyn

Graduate of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (2001). Holds a doctoral degree in veterinary sciences, the title of Specialist in Animal Reproduction, and a postdoctoral degree (habilitation). She is a highly regarded academic lecturer, an active clinician, and a participant in numerous scientific conferences both domestically and internationally. Since completing her studies, she has been engaged in the field of canine fertility disorders, conducting clinical and scientific research at the Department of Animal Reproduction with Clinic. Her areas of interest encompass fertility disorders in both male and female dogs, obstetrics, neonatology, and artificial insemination. She is the author and co-author of numerous scientific articles and conference reports. She conducts lectures and training sessions for both veterinarians, students, and breeders.

Since 1996, she has been a member of the Polish Kennel Club, serving for many years as the Vice Chair for Breeding Affairs of the Olsztyn Branch of the Polish Kennel Club and a member of the Branch Board up to the present time. Since 2022, she has been a member of the Scientific Council at the Main Board of the Polish Kennel Club.

Wrocław

He graduated in 1992 from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wrocław. He is an active clinician, and his areas of interest include artificial insemination, fertility disorders in both male and female animals, obstetrics, and neonatology. He carries out scientific projects related to the use of advanced reproductive techniques in programs aimed at saving endangered animal species. In 1999, he defended his doctoral thesis, and in 2009, he obtained habilitation in the field of small animal reproduction. In 2014, he was awarded the title of professor of veterinary sciences. He is the Head of the Department of Reproduction and the Chairman of the Discipline Council at the Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wrocław. From 2007 to 2013, he served on the board of EVSSAR, and from 2011 to 2013, he held the position of President of EVSSAR. He is a member of the Main Board of the Society for Reproductive Biology. He is the current Chairman of the Committee on Veterinary Sciences and Reproductive Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (2020-2023), as well as the President-Elect of PSLWMZ. He has published over 200 original, review, and book contributions dedicated to practitioners and researchers. He has lectured at numerous national and international congresses (including ESDAR Congresses, ISCFR, EVSSAR, AI Vets Oslo, WSAVA, NVC, ALARPA, and others). He was awarded the "Golden Chiron" for promoting science in 2018. He is the organizer of many workshops and international conferences in the field of small animal reproduction.

Zurich, Switzerland

In 2001, he completed his veterinary studies. From 2002, he worked at the Animal Reproduction Clinic of the Free University of Berlin. Currently, he is employed at the University of Zurich, where he teaches, conducts scientific research, and provides veterinary services (for all species, but mainly for small animals).

Prof. Arlt assists dog and cat breeders, including semen freezing and endoscopic insemination (TCI - transcervical insemination; intrauterine insemination). In addition, he is involved in several scientific projects related to the clinical aspects of small animal reproduction. He is interested in Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine (EBVM) and teaching methods, and has published several articles on these topics. He is a certified member of the European College of Animal Reproduction (ECAR) in the field of small animals, as well as ruminants and herd health.

Olsztyn

A graduate of UWM in Olsztyn (2006). He completed national and international professional internships and scientific residencies in countries including Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. In 2010, he completed specialization in the field of canine and feline diseases. He obtained a doctoral degree in veterinary sciences in the field of animal reproduction and the title of Specialist in Animal Reproduction in 2011. Since 2019, he holds the postdoctoral degree of habilitation. He works as a university professor.

He is a respected academic lecturer, a participant in numerous scientific conferences both domestically and internationally, and an experienced practicing veterinarian. He delivers lectures and training sessions for veterinarians, students, and breeders. His scientific and professional interests are focused on canine and feline reproduction, particularly the full control of pregnancy management in these species. He is the author of over 100 scientific articles and conference reports.

Padua, Italy

She obtained a DVM Degree in 2003, and a PhD in 2008 at the University of Padova. Then she gained a position of researcher since 2008 and became Associate Professor in 2022 at the University of Padova in the area of Animal Reproduction, Obstetrics and Gynecology. Since 2005 she is working in small animal reproduction area at the Veterinary teaching hospital of the University of Padova, teaching the vet students on the fifth year of the Veterinary Degree course and to the bachelor’s degree of Animal Care. Her main research interests are on specific topic of small animal reproduction, such as andrology, methods of sperm analysis, optimizing freezing protocol, artificial insemination, optimal breeding timing and progesterone analysis, US monitoring of pregnancy, parturition timing, endocrinology and control of the reproductive cycle of the bitch, antimicrobial resistance in the breeding dog population. She is author and co-author of 43 scientific contribution in indexed journals, and of more than 75 proceeding abstracts. She is EVSSAR (European Veterinary Society for Small Animal Reproductio) member as well as member of other italian and international societies of animal reproduction, and she serves in the EVSSAR Board since 2019. She became EVSSAR vice-president in 2022.

Berlin, Germany

Born in Germany, she pursued veterinary studies at Humboldt University from 1983 to 1988, where she obtained her doctoral degree in 1991. She worked at Humboldt University and later at Freie Universität until 2006. Currently, she heads a reference center in Berlin specializing in small animal reproduction and embryo transfer in cattle.

In 2003, she achieved European specialization - Diplomate of the European College of Animal Reproduction (ECAR), and she is presently a member of the ECAR Examination Committee. She also obtained national specialization in Germany in 1992 in animal reproduction and artificial insemination (Fachtierarzt). In 2000, she completed a residency in the United States at the Veterinary Referral Centre, Frazer - Philadelphia/PA.
She publishes and lectures on topics including neonatology and pediatrics of small animals, reproductive endocrinology, reproductive organ diseases in dogs and cats, and microbiological status of newborns. She is a lecturer at many international conferences, including ESDAR, EVSSAR (Toulouse, Vienna, Paris, Whistler, Budapest). She is the author or co-author of over 100 publications (original and review articles) in professional journals and has authored 3 books: "Animal Obstetrics" (1993), "Dog Reproduction" (2006), and "Andrology" (2006). Since 2011, she has been the official veterinary officer responsible for animal welfare in the Berlin district.

Wrocław

She was graduated from Veterinary Medicine in 1999, and her PhD thesis she defended in 2004, from 2009 she works in Department of Reproduction.
Scientific interests focus on assisted reproductive techniques in companion animals, especially cats, and in clinical work, she is primarily involved in reproductive system surgery, obstetrics and veterinary neonatology.
She was part of a team in many scientific projects and she was a leader investigator in one – investigating embryo vitrification in cats. She gained professional experience and practical skills during internships in Germany, Belgium and United Kingdom and attending workshops and conferences.
She is a member of EVSAR, BSAVA and Polish Society for Biology of Reproduction.

Wrocław

She was graduated from Veterinary Medicine in 2012 and defended her PhD in 2017 and in the same year she was employed at Department of Reproduction. She specialises in andrology and cats reproduction, especially in assisted reproductive techniques in cats i.e. semen cryopreservation and artificial insemination.
She gained professional experience and practical skills during internships (Germany, Belgium, France) as well as national conferences and workshops.
Member of EVSSAR and Polish Society for Biology of Reproduction, where she was nominated a treasurer of Wrocław Division in 2017 onwards.

Padua, Włochy

Graduated in veterinary medicine in 2011 at Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, Valencia, Spain. Subsequently, he obtained a master's degree in biology and biotechnology of mammalian reproduction in 2012 from the University of Murcia, Spain. In the following years he worked at the Universitat Autònoma of Barcelona where he obtained his PhD at the end of 2016 on the transfer of water and sugars through the uterus and placenta in different stages of pregnancy of the cat. In the following years he was focused much more on the daily clinic with particular interest in reproductive endocrinology. From 2017 to 2020 he was resident at the European College of Animal Reproduction of the University of Padua, Italy, under the supervision of Dr. Stefano Romagnoli and became an ECAR Diplomate (EBVS certificate) in November 2021. Since January 2021 he coordinates the Reproduction and Pediatrics Unit of the San Marco Veterinary Clinic and Laboratory in Padua, Italy.

In recent years he has collaborated with Virbac and Royal Canin in several training courses, congresses and product launches both in Europe and in Latin American countries. Today he is part of the board of the European Society of Small Animal Reproduction (EVSSAR) and he is the author of 19 scientific publications in indexed journals. His main interests in both clinical and research are focused on reproductive endocrinology, prostatic pathologies and control of reproduction.

Hanover, Germany

In 2001, she completed her veterinary studies at the University of Gießen. She defended her doctoral thesis four years later, and in 2014, she obtained her habilitation - both dissertations focused on topics within the field of andrology (horse semen and testicular function in male dogs and cats). Since 2018, she has held the position of full professor at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, where she specializes in the reproduction of dogs and cats. Previously, she worked, among others, at KGGA (Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Andrology of Large and Small Animals) at the University of Gießen and at the University of Copenhagen.

Since 2010, she has been a certified member of ECAR (European College of Animal Reproduction) and served on the board of EVSSAR for over 6 years. She is the author and co-author of nearly 300 publications (articles, reviews, book chapters, abstracts, etc.).

Warsaw

Graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in 2015. Immediately after graduation, she started working in numerous animal clinics in Warsaw and around. From October 2016 she started doctoral studies at the KNOW Integrated Doctoral School at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. She graduated from these studies in 2019. Since September 2019, she has been working at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in the Small Animal Reproduction Laboratory as a research and didactic assistant. In 2019, she also started the European Residency in the field of Animal Reproduction (ECAR) under the supervision of Dr. Andrei Munnich. In 2022, she obtained the title of Specialist in diseases of dogs and cats. Since June 2022, she is a member of the board of EVSSAR. She is the author of numerous publications on the reproduction of dogs and cats. She actively participates in numerous veterinary conferences and trainings in Poland and abroad.

Viena, Austria

Sabine Schäfer-Somi was born on May 21, 1966, in Germany (Essen). In 1984, she acquired Austrian citizenship. In the same year, she commenced her veterinary studies, which she completed in 1991. In 1993, she attained her doctoral degree. Since 1994, she has been working at the Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Andrology at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. Despite her education encompassing all aspects of animal reproduction, she has consistently focused on the reproduction of small animals. In 2002, she completed her specialization in the European College of Animal Reproduction (ECAR), and in 2004, she was appointed an Associate Professor. In 2006, she habilitated in this field. Currently, she works as a veterinarian, lecturer, and researcher at the Center for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna. Her primary area of expertise is the reproduction and cryopreservation of gametes in small animals. Her main areas of interest include andrology, gamete cryopreservation, artificial insemination, pregnancy and neonatal immunology, neonatology, and contraception.

Wrocław

A graduate of the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, she obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Science degree in 2014. For years, she has been associated with the Department of Surgery at Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, where she practices, conducts scientific projects in the field of anesthesiology and emergency medicine, and delivers lectures, workshops, and training sessions. She is the author of numerous scientific papers in globally recognized journals and has participated in various courses such as ESAVS Anesthesiology, ESAVS Emergency and Critical Care, and VASTA. In addition to anesthesiology and emergency medicine, she is professionally involved in veterinary neonatology and geriatrics. Privately, she is an enthusiast of ornithology.

Warsaw

Tadeusz Frymus graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at SGGW in 1974. He began his work there as a clinician, scientist, and lecturer specializing in infectious animal diseases. From 1984 to 1986, as a fellow of the A. Humboldt Foundation, he completed an internship in Hanover, Germany.

Since the early 1990s, his primary clinical and scientific interests have focused on viral diseases in cats (including leukemia, FIP, and rabies) and dogs (such as canine distemper and others), as well as post-vaccination immunity in these species.
He is currently a professor in the Department of Small Animal Diseases with a Clinic at SGGW. In 1995, he established and led specialized Postgraduate Studies for veterinarians titled "Diseases of Dogs and Cats," which he directed for 25 years. In 2005, he was invited to join the international group of experts on cat diseases, the "European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases," where he remains active (www.abcdcatsvets.org), contributing to recommendations for practitioners regarding the diagnosis and management of key diseases. For over 20 years, he has been a substantive consultant for the editorial team of the "Veterinary Magazine." Drawing from his clinical experience, he has authored the following textbooks for students and veterinarians:
- Frymus T., 1997: "Infectious Diseases of Cats."
- Frymus T., 1999: "Infectious Diseases of Dogs."
- Frymus T., 2005: "Viral, Bacterial, Fungal, and Prion Diseases of Cats."
- And as a co-author, 2018: "Canine Infectious Diseases – Self-Assessment Color Review," edited by K. Hartmann, J. Sykes, CRC PRESS.