Purina Pro Plan was thrilled to host the PURINA® PRO PLAN® Symposium 2024, which took place on the 2nd of May in Helsinki. This year, we were excited to bring together a select group of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) from across Europe who shared their experiences and knowledge in the gastrointestinal area.
The symposium was held in a hybrid format, and we were delighted to offer the opportunity for virtual participation in this exceptional event.
Our carefully curated program immersed attendees in the latest advancements in canine and feline gastroenterology. We had gathered renowned experts who presented cutting-edge research, new perspectives, and insights to enhance the understanding of this vital area.
The symposium was held in a hybrid format, and we were delighted to offer the opportunity for virtual participation in this exceptional event.
Our carefully curated program immersed attendees in the latest advancements in canine and feline gastroenterology. We had gathered renowned experts who presented cutting-edge research, new perspectives, and insights to enhance the understanding of this vital area.
Meet the experts
Dr Valérie Freiche
Hospital Practitioner, Head of GI diseases consultation at École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort
Valérie Freiche graduated from Alfort National Veterinary School near Paris,
France. After her graduation, she completed an internship and French
internal medicine specialisation at the Department of Internal Medicine in the
same Vet School.
She defended her PhD project about the Comparative Oncogenesis of
Indolent T-cell Lymphoproliferative Intestinal Disorders in cats and humans.
This study involved both human and vet researchers and this collaboration is
still ongoing.
Nowadays Valerie is a member of the Internal Medicine Department of Alfort
Vet School, and she is involved in clinical teaching and research. She is the
head of the gastroenterology consultation.
She is currently the vice-president of the ECVIM-European Society of
Comparative Gastroenterology (ESCG).
Her main interest is gastroenterology, particularly digestive oncology and
interventional endoscopy. Her publication list consists of journal articles,
research abstracts and book chapters. Valérie is strongly involved in
veterinary continuing education.
Dr Jan S. Suchodolski
Professor and Purina PetCare Endowed Chair in Microbiome Research at Gastrointestinal Laboratory Texas A&M University
Jan S. Suchodolski is a professor, Purina PetCare Endowed Chair for Microbiome
Research, associate director and head of microbiome sciences at the Gastrointestinal
Laboratory at Texas A&M University. He received his DrVetMed from the University
Vienna, Austria and his PhD in veterinary microbiology from Texas A&M University. He
is board certified in immunology by the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists
(ACVM). His research is focused on developing biomarkers for gastrointestinal disease
and therapeutic approaches for the modulation of the intestinal microbiota. He has
authored or co-authored more than 360 peer-reviewed articles in the area of veterinary
gastroenterology and microbiome research.
Dr Kathrin Busch
Senior Physician Internal Medicine at Medical Small Animal Clinic of LMU Munich
Kathrin Busch completed her doctoral thesis about “Acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome” at
the Small Animal Clinic of the Ludwig Maximilians university in Munich, Germany. After an
internship, she remained loyal to the small animal clinic and internal medicine and completed
her residency in 2018. Since then, she has been working there as a senior physician and has
rediscovered her love for gastroenterology. Her research focuses on the intestinal microbiome,
its influence on other organ systems and fecal microbiota transplantation.
Dr Jason Gagné
Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® & Purina’s Director of Program Management
Dr. Jason Gagné is a Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist® and is Purina’s Director of Program
Management where he develops strategies to cascade research across Purina’s portfolio of Brands. He
also works with innovation and renovation of dietary formulations, developing clinical trials, and Sales
and Marketing. Prior to, and throughout his residency at Cornell, he served as an Associate Veterinarian
in a small animal practice in Syracuse, New York. Jason has authored several publications in veterinary
journals and textbooks, given scientific presentations at the regional and national level, and serves as a
scientific reviewer for leading journals.