Malta 2024

Julia Beatty

Chair Professor in Veterinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases at City University’s Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences

BSc(hons) BVetMed PhD FANZCVS (feline med) GradCertEd (Higher Ed) FRCVS GACID 

Jules graduated from the RVC in 1989 and has worked in shelter, primary and referral practice in the UK, Sydney and Hong Kong. She holds a PhD in virology from the University of Glasgow, Fellowship of the ANZCVS in Feline Medicine, is an RCVS-recognised Specialist in Feline Medicine and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for meritorious contribution to knowledge.

Paulo Steagall

Dr Paulo Stegall is a professor of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia at the City University of Hong Kong and the Université de Montréal.

Paulo is a board-certified specialist by the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. His research is focused on feline welfare and pain management including the Feline Grimace Scale (www.felinegrimacescale.com). He has worked with multiple organisations, including the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Global Pain Council and Therapeutic Guidelines Group, as a co-chair of the 2022 International Society of Feline Medicine Consensus Guidelines on Acute Pain Management and the FECAVA Basic Best Practices in Anaesthesia and Analgesia. Dr Steagall is a Top 2% most highly cited scientists according to the Stanford University. He has published over 140 scientific articles and the book “Feline Anesthesia and Pain Management” while lecturing internationally.

Renata Stavinohova

MVDr. Renata Stavinohova PhD, PGCertSAOphthal, DipECVO, MRCVS 

Senior Ophthalmologist, Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists, UK 

RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology  

EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology 

Renata Stavinohova graduated from the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brno, Czech Republic in 2008. Renata provided an ophthalmology service in the Czech Republic for several years. After completing her PhD at the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brno, she spent some years gaining surgical and medical experience in the UK before completing a rotating internship and an ophthalmology internship at the Animal Health Trust. She also worked as an ophthalmology intern and Trainee Ophthalmologist at Rowe Referrals in Bristol. In 2017, Renata was awarded a BSAVA Postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Ophthalmology with distinction. Subsequently, she completed an ECVO-approved residency at Dick White Referrals and became an ECVO Diplomate in 2021. She is Head of Ophthalmology at Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists, and she also works as a VIN consultant and a BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme panellist. She is actively involved in the teaching and training of veterinary students, nurses, and vets in their pursuit of improved understanding and postgraduate qualifications in veterinary ophthalmology.  Renata enjoys all aspects of ophthalmology, from clinical work to research. She has a particular interest in ophthalmic microsurgery especially intraocular surgery, neuro-ophthalmology, ocular manifestation of systemic disease and inherited eye diseases. Renata is a co-chair of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists’ Scientific Committee.

Ursula Dietrich

RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology

Dr.med.vet., Diplomate ACVO, Diplomate ECVO, MRCVS, FHEA (PGCertVedEd)

Graduated from the Veterinary College at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, Germany in 1993 with her Dr. med. vet. degree obtained in 1996

Vanessa Barrs

Dean, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and BOCHK Chair Professor of Veterinary Medicine, City University of Hong Kong.

BVSc(hons) PhD MVetClinStud FANZCVS (Feline Medicine)

Professor Vanessa Barrs is a registered specialist in feline medicine and is the Dean of Hong Kong’s first Veterinary School that was established in partnership with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Before moving to Hong Kong, Vanessa worked at the University of Sydney for many years and was both Head of Small Animal Medicine and Director of their Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She is a past president of the Feline Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Sciences and of the International Society of Companion Animal Infectious Diseases. Vanessa is well known for her infectious diseases research, especially for her discovery of Aspergillus felis.  She has published over 200 manuscripts and book chapters. Vanessa is passionate about the role of veterinarians in delivering better One-Health outcomes for animals (especially cats!), humans and the environment. She is an advocate for sustainability and owns two second-hand cats, Joey and Ginger Roger.