Nadia Golestani Position/Title: Ph.D. Candidate email: golestan@uoguelph.ca Phone: Office: ANNU 131 Google Scholar Research Gate LinkedIn

Education

1. DVM. Microbiology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Azad University of Karaj, Iran (2014-2020)

2. MSc. Equine Physiology, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Canada (2020-2021)

Relevant Work Experience (2014-2021)

1. Poultry Research Assistant at Sanadampars Tehran/Iran

2. Livestock Sale Representative  Sanadampars Tehran/Iran

​About me 

Passionate about animals’ health and welfare, I was admitted to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in my country, Iran. As veterinary medicine is related to all animals, I started gaining experiences with companion, exotic and food animals during my education. In 2015, I started working as a technical researcher in a feed additives and pharmaceutical company and contributing to several international exhibitions. This led me to my interest in animal nutrition and health. During my DVM thesis, I worked in a laboratory to learn more about zoonotic disease and microbiology, which led me to publish a paper on an avian pathogen. I decided to focus on animal nutrition and health, after a summer course in 2018 at Wageningen University/ The Netherlands. 

In order to pursue my goal of becoming an animal nutritionist, I was accepted into the Master of Animal Biosciences program under the supervision of Dr. Wendy Pearson in 2020. Focusing on inflammation and nutraceuticals in vitro and in vivo covers all my interests as a vet and animal scientist. Also, the gap between equine nutrition and physiology became more visible to me after the Iranian government banned the import of pet and equine nutraceuticals. During my master’s course, I examined the inflammatory response of cartilage explants to lipopolysaccharide in the presence of a biological extract of equine joint-care nutraceutical. I have recently started my Ph.D. to develop my skills and academic knowledge as an animal scientist. Our lab focuses on nutraceuticals and non-drug veterinary pharmaceuticals to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis using in vitro models and in horses. My Ph.D. research focuses on equine nutrition and physiology, with a particular emphasis on muscle and joint health. Specifically, I am exploring the immunomodulatory effects of Spirulina as an antioxidant using in vitro models and horses' local and systemic adaptation to high-intensity exercise.

In the future, I hope to bring my knowledge to the animal industry specifically companion animals in Canada. During my free time, I derive pleasure from various activities such as travelling and discovering the natural wonders of Canada, playing Squash, and cherishing moments with my loved ones.