Francesca Susca, Ph.D.

Francesca Susca, Ph.D

Title

Pet Development Manager

Company

Lallemand Animal Nutrition

Presentation description:

From the gut to the brain and back: a two-way connection to improve pet well-being – Francesca Susca, Ph.D., pet development manager for Lallemand Animal Nutrition, highlights recent research on the gut-brain axis, a well-documented concept in humans showing that enteric microbiota communicate with nervous, emotional and cognitive systems in the body. Newer studies indicate that shaping pets’ intestinal microbiota with specific probiotic strains, as well as prebiotics, have positive effects on areas such as optimal nutrition, obesity, immune defense, healthy aging and stress, and may be a way to optimize pets’ overall health and well-being.

Biography: 

Susca graduated from the University of Milan with a D.V.M. degree and holds a doctorate in animal feed and food safety. The focus of her studies has been the evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation of nutrients on the metabolism and performance of dairy ruminants, but her professional career has been dedicated to pets. Susca worked 10 years for Nestlé Purina managing several categories and roles within the areas of product development, regulatory and compliance. In her role at Lallemand Animal Nutrition, she has further enriched her experience in the optimization of pets’ health and well-being through specific and natural microbial solutions.