David Thomas, PhD

Title

Associate professor, Massey University, and director of the Centres for Feline and Canine Nutrition

Presentation Description:

Gut microbiota: are cats small dogs?– Diet alters the intestinal microbiota of our pets, but understanding the implications of these changes has proven challenging, with the current dogma being to translate observations from humans onto our pets. Bermingham shares results of a study investigating the impacts of diet on the composition and function of the intestinal microbiome of pets, and understanding these differences in relation to their specific nutritional requirements, particularly the distinct differences between cats and dogs.

Experience:

Thomas graduated with a PhD in zoology from University College London, then moved to New Zealand and worked in a research role at a New Zealand Crown Research Institute prior to joining Massey University. Besides directing the Centres for Feline and Canine Nutrition, he also is animal science major leader in the bachelor of science program and a member of the Animal Production and Health Group in the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences. At Massey, Thomas teaches papers within the bachelor of science and bachelor of veterinary science programs. He has supervised or is currently supervising 37 post-graduate students (seven honors, 14 MSc and 16 PhD students) and through his research activities has published over 150 peer-reviewed scientific articles. His research interests in companion animal nutrition include the nutritional idiosyncrasies of the cat, food-microbe-host interactions in the cat and dog, and the underlying seasonal rhythms in intake, activity and reproduction that influence animal health.