Emmanuelle Van Erck-Westergren | Equine microbiota | Outstanding Contribution Award

Prof. Dr. Emmanuelle Van Erck-Westergren | Equine microbiota | Outstanding Contribution Award

Prof. Dr. Emmanuelle Van Erck-Westergren, Equine Sports Medicine Practice, Belgium

Dr. Emmanuelle van Erck-Westergren is a renowned veterinarian specializing in equine internal medicine and sports medicine. She is a diplomate of both the European College of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) and the European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ECVSMR). Dr. van Erck-Westergren earned her DVM and PhD at the University of Liège, focusing on equine respiratory diseases. She founded the Equine Sports Medicine Practice (ESMP) in Belgium, where she leads a team dedicated to elite equine performance diagnostics. A trusted expert for the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), she also serves as president of the Belgian Equine Practitioners Society (BEPS). Her prolific academic output includes scientific publications, lectures at international conferences, and editorial contributions, notably co-editing the third edition of Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery. Her work bridges clinical expertise with high-impact research, benefitting elite equine athletes worldwide.

Publication Profile: 

Orcid

Scopus

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Dual Specialization & Diplomate Status

    • Certified by both the European College of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) and European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ECVSMR)—a rare and highly prestigious achievement demonstrating clinical and research excellence.

  2. Academic Contributions

    • Over 10 high-impact publications and book chapters (2024–2025 alone), including contributions to the gold-standard veterinary textbook Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery (3rd Edition), in which she is co-editor.

  3. Foundational Research

    • PhD in equine respiratory diseases—her foundational work has real-world implications for the health and athletic longevity of sport horses.

  4. Global Impact and Leadership

    • Founder of the Equine Sports Medicine Practice (ESMP), servicing elite sport horses globally.

    • President of the Belgian Equine Practitioners Society (BEPS) and expert for the FEI, influencing international veterinary policy.

  5. Interdisciplinary & Translational Work

    • Her research spans virology, exercise physiology, gastroenterology, and equine biomechanics, showcasing her ability to integrate science with applied veterinary sports medicine.

⚖️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Wider Interdisciplinary Collaboration

    • While her work is strong in traditional veterinary fields, collaboration with emerging tech (e.g., AI/biomechanical sensors) could expand the scope and impact of her research.

  2. Public Outreach and Knowledge Translation

    • Increased visibility through public science communication, open-access publications, or educational content for non-academic stakeholders (e.g., horse owners, trainers) would enhance the societal reach of her findings.

  3. Mentorship Record (Unstated)

    • No information was provided on her mentorship or training of the next generation of veterinary researchers—although this may exist, it should be highlighted if available.

🎓 Education:

Dr. van Erck-Westergren graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Liège in Belgium. Pursuing her passion for equine health, she completed a PhD at the same university, with a research focus on equine respiratory diseases—an area central to athletic performance in horses. Her postgraduate training led to board certification from two prestigious veterinary colleges: the European College of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) and the European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ECVSMR). These dual diplomate titles mark her as one of a select group of veterinarians with exceptional expertise in both internal medicine and athletic performance of horses. Her education is not only grounded in clinical excellence but also in scientific rigor, making her a key academic and practical contributor in the veterinary field.

👩‍⚕️ Experience:

Dr. van Erck-Westergren has over two decades of experience in equine veterinary medicine, specializing in the health and performance of sport horses. She founded the Equine Sports Medicine Practice (ESMP) in Belgium, where she provides advanced diagnostic and rehabilitation services for elite equine athletes. Her clientele includes top-level international competitors across disciplines such as dressage, eventing, and racing. She has served as an expert advisor to the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), lending her insight to regulatory and clinical frameworks for equestrian sports. As the president of the Belgian Equine Practitioners Society (BEPS), she actively shapes veterinary policy and continuing education. In academia, she contributes extensively through authorship of peer-reviewed papers, textbook chapters, and international lectures, reinforcing her reputation as both a clinician and a thought leader.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. van Erck-Westergren’s research centers on equine sports medicine, with a strong focus on respiratory function, cardiovascular fitness, exercise physiology, and performance diagnostics. Her PhD on equine respiratory disease laid the foundation for a prolific research career that integrates field-based diagnostics with clinical intervention. She is particularly interested in how subclinical conditions—such as mild respiratory infections or gastric issues—impact performance in elite horses. Recent studies include predictive modeling of racehorse performance, the physiological impacts of diet on gastric health and behavior, and the use of advanced endoscopy in diagnostics. Her approach bridges science and sport, often conducting studies directly on high-performance horses during training or competition. She also contributes to veterinary education as a chapter author and editor of the seminal textbook Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery, ensuring her research continues to influence the field globally.

📚 Publications Top Notes: 

  • 🦠 Respiratory viruses affecting health and performance in equine athletes (Virology, 2025)

  • 🐎 Cardiovascular Fitness and Stride Acceleration in Race-Pace Workouts for the Prediction of Performance in Thoroughbreds (Animals, 2024)

  • 🔍 Endoscopic examination of the respiratory tract (Equine Respiratory Endoscopy, 2024)

  • 🧾 Endoscopy in pre-purchase examinations (Equine Respiratory Endoscopy, 2024)

  • 📘 Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery: Basic and Clinical Sciences of the Equine Athlete, Third Edition (2024)

  • 🏃‍♂️ Exercise Testing in the Field (Chapter in Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery, 2024)

  • 🍽️ Improvement of gastric disease and ridden horse pain ethogram scores with diet adaptation in sport horses (Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2024)

  • 📝 Preface (Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery, 2024)

  • 🌐 The Connected Horse (Chapter in Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery, 2024)

  • 🏇 Veterinary Aspects of Conditioning, Training, and Competing Dressage Horses (Chapter in Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery, 2024)

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Emmanuelle van Erck-Westergren exemplifies the criteria of the Research for Outstanding Contribution Award through her blend of scholarly excellence, clinical leadership, and translational impact on equine health and performance. Her dual-board certification, editorship of a seminal textbook, and active participation in shaping global veterinary policies place her in the top tier of veterinary researchers.

Blanca Elizabeth Ruiz Alvarez | Microbiome | Young Scientist Award

Mrs. Blanca Elizabeth Ruiz Alvarez | Microbiome | Young Scientist Award

Mrs. Blanca Elizabeth Ruiz Alvarez, université laval, Canada

Blanca Elizabeth Ruiz Alvarez is a passionate and multilingual health sciences researcher with over 13 years of experience, including more than 4 years in clinical research. Currently pursuing dual PhDs in Plant Biology at Université Laval and in Biotechnology Innovation at CIATEJ, Mexico, Blanca blends cutting-edge science with applied biotechnology. Her work emphasizes the role of bioactive compounds, gut microbiota, and AI-based diagnostics in human health. A published author in high-impact journals and co-inventor of several patents, she has presented her research internationally and advised research-driven companies such as Grupo Mabiosis. Blanca is fluent in French, English, and Spanish, enabling her to effectively communicate and collaborate in global scientific contexts. Her commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and societal impact makes her a standout among emerging researchers.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Exceptional Academic Background
    Blanca is pursuing dual PhD programs in Plant Biology (Université Laval, Canada) and Biotechnology Innovation (CIATEJ, Mexico), showcasing academic rigor and international collaboration.

  2. Multilingual & Multicultural
    Fluent in French, English, and Spanish, enabling her to communicate and collaborate globally—an asset in modern scientific research environments.

  3. Innovative Research Focus
    Her work integrates bioactive compounds, gut microbiota, microbiome diagnostics, and AI/mathematical modeling—fields that align with global research trends in personalized health, nutrition, and biotechnology.

  4. Impressive Research Output
    Blanca has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and is co-inventor on several international patents, indicating both scientific innovation and practical application.

  5. Leadership and Collaboration
    Serves as a Postgraduate Research Assistant and Scientific Advisor, managing multidisciplinary research projects and mentoring younger scientists—key traits for a future leader in science.

🔍 Areas for Improvement:

  • Public Science Communication
    Although Blanca is a strong scientific communicator, more active public outreach or science popularization efforts (e.g., TEDx talks, public blogs) could boost her visibility and societal impact.

  • Industry-Academia Collaboration
    She could enhance the translational value of her research through stronger industry partnerships or startup initiatives in biotech or diagnostics sectors.

🎓 Education:

Blanca holds a Master’s degree in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, which laid the foundation for her specialization in bioactive compounds and clinical applications. She is currently completing dual PhD programs—one in Plant Biology at Université Laval, Québec, Canada, and another in Biotechnology Innovation Sciences at CIATEJ, Guadalajara, Mexico. Her doctoral research is highly interdisciplinary, integrating fields such as molecular biology, AI-assisted modeling, microbiology, and preclinical testing. Through these programs, she has gained expertise in both fundamental plant-based biocompounds and their translational potential in human health. Her international education trajectory also reflects her adaptability and collaborative research mindset. Blanca’s academic training emphasizes not just scientific rigor but also cross-cultural communication and innovation-driven thinking—traits essential for cutting-edge biomedical research in today’s interconnected world.

🧪 Experience:

Blanca’s experience spans over 13 years in scientific research, including 4+ years in clinical and biomedical fields. Since 2020, she has worked as a Postgraduate Research Assistant at INAF, Université Laval, in collaboration with CIATEJ, Mexico. Her role involves experimental design, data modeling using bioinformatics and AI, and presenting findings at international forums. Additionally, she serves as a Scientific Advisor to Grupo Mabiosis, overseeing project planning and scientific protocol development. Blanca is skilled in in vitro biological evaluations, microbiology techniques, and protocol optimization. She is also a proficient scientific communicator, contributing to journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings. With extensive experience managing research projects from conceptualization to publication and regulatory filings, Blanca exemplifies leadership and innovation in her field. Her blend of academic insight and real-world application gives her a unique edge in the research landscape.

🔬 Research Focus:

Blanca’s research revolves around the interaction between bioactive compounds and the gut microbiota, with a strong emphasis on prebiotics, synbiotics, and the health impacts of polyphenols and flavonoids. She investigates the biological effects of natural compounds using in vitro models such as SHIME® and twin-M-SHIME®, alongside advanced microbiological and analytical techniques. Blanca incorporates AI and bioinformatics to model gut health and predict microbiota behavior in response to dietary interventions. Her recent studies explore how modified flavonoids enhance microbial fermentation and contribute to gut-brain and gut-immune axis functions. Blanca also works on mathematical modeling to support diagnostic tools using microbiome signatures—an area backed by patent filings. This research bridges plant biology, pharmaceutical biotechnology, and nutritional sciences, offering innovative strategies for disease prevention and health optimization. Her ultimate aim is to develop personalized health interventions based on microbiome composition and functional dietary compounds.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

🔬 Novel acylated naringin enhances propionate release and stimulates the growth of flavanone-metabolizing bacteria in an in vitro batch fermentation model (Life, 2025)
🧫 Prebiotic-like Effects of Proanthocyanidin-Rich Aronia Extract Supplementation on Gut Microbiota Composition and Function in the Twin-M-SHIME® model (Pharmaceuticals, 2025)
🦠 Anticandidal and Antibiofilm Effect of Synbiotics including Probiotics and Inulin-Type Fructans (Antibiotics, 2022)
👧 Digestibility and Bioaccessibility of Leaf Protein Concentrates and their Impact on Children Gut Microbiota (Waste and Biomass Valorization, 2022)
🧠 A Diagnostic and Treatment System Based on the Gut Microbiota Balance (Novel Techniques in Nutrition and Food Science, 2019 – Commentary)
🍃 In vitro evaluation of prebiotic activity, pathogen inhibition and enzymatic metabolism of intestinal bacteria in the presence of fructans extracted from agave: A comparison based on polymerization degree (LWT, 2018)
📖 Book Chapter: “Managing Bioactive Substances”, “Nutritional Intervention: A Practical Perspective”, Universidad de Guadalajara (in publication)

🧾 Conclusion:

Blanca Elizabeth Ruiz Alvarez stands out as a highly qualified and driven young scientist with a solid track record of scientific excellence, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her work directly addresses critical global challenges in health, nutrition, and sustainable biotechnology, supported by her scholarly outputs and international research roles.