U of G Fall 2024 Convocation: Celebrating OVC Graduates

The Fall 2024 Convocation was a proud occasion to celebrate the achievements of all U of G graduates, including those from the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). The hard work and dedication of these students have brought them to this milestone, and we look forward to the positive impact they will make in their careers. Here, we highlight a few of the many OVC graduates who contribute to innovative research and clinical advancements that improve animal and human health, making a real difference in the fields they choose to pursue. 

Hannah Woodhouse – Doctor of Philosophy in Population Medicine 

At the U of G Fall 2024 Convocation, Dr. Hannah Woodhouse officially received her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in population medicine.  

Woodhouse grew up on her family’s Grey County dairy farm, where she developed a passion for agriculture that would shape her career. Her PhD research project focused on free fatty acids in milk—substances that can reduce foam stability in lattes, impair cheese coagulation, and shorten the shelf life of dairy products.  

Woodhouse began her studies at the University of Guelph as a recipient of the University of Guelph President’s Scholarship, giving her a summer research opportunity in OVC’s Department of Population Medicine. Her choice to attend U of G was also influenced by her passion for athletics; as a national cross country and track star athlete in high school, she was drawn to the university's excellence in its running programs.

Under the guidance of Dr. David Kelton, Woodhouse started working on a dairy quality issue raised by coffee shops about milk not frothing properly. This project grew into a larger study, funded by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, exploring the farm management factors behind elevated free fatty acid levels in milk. Her research provided actionable insights for dairy producers to improve milk quality through better cow nutrition, milking schedules, and equipment maintenance.  

“Leading this research from the beginning and seeing it make a difference for the dairy industry has been incredibly rewarding,” says Woodhouse. “I’m especially grateful to Dr. Kelton for his mentorship and for the opportunities my time at U of G has provided in teaching, travel, and industry engagement.”  

“Hannah’s dairy farm background and intimate understanding of the dairy industry gave her the confidence and credibility to work with dairy producers across the country to address this emerging milk quality issue,” says Kelton. “She was the perfect student to tackle this complex project.”  

Now employed by Dairy Farmers of Canada as a Sustainable Production Contractor, Woodhouse remains dedicated to advancing the dairy industry.

Woodhouse's research is one example of the graduate work conducted in the Department of Population Medicine at OVC, which embraces a holistic approach to human and animal health. Research projects address real-world problems and span topics related to the physical health, welfare, and productivity of animals, as well as the physical, mental, and social well-being of humans.

Camille St. Jean – Doctor of Veterinary Science (DVSc) in Clinical Studies

Dr. Camille St. Jean completed her three-year DVSc residency in clinical studies, specializing in small animal internal medicine.  

As a resident in the OVC Health Science Centre she learned to treat complex disorders, such as autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalances, and kidney disorders. She worked on numerous challenging cases, collaborating closely with specialists in cardiology, oncology, and neurology. Using advanced diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, and specialized treatment areas, St. Jean helped pets facing difficult medical situations.  

“My years at OVC were the most challenging, but the most rewarding years of my life,” says St. Jean. “I grew as a veterinarian and a person, with the unwavering support of my extraordinary resident-mates, faculty members, technicians, animal care attendants, patients and their families. Most importantly, I made friends for life, and I am grateful for everyone I met during this journey.”

Throughout her residency, St. Jean mentored junior residents and student veterinarians, sharing her passion for internal medicine. Respected among her colleagues, she consistently demonstrated her commitment to going the extra mile for every case.  

“She's a wonderful personification of everything we hope to achieve with our students in that program: an all-around achiever, excellent team member, smart and professional,” says Dr. Alice Defarges, professor in the Department of Clinical Studies and St. Jean’s DVSc advisor. “She inspired those around her to reach greater heights.”

St. Jean was the recipient of the Harry and Lorna Robbins Memorial Scholarship awarded to a student registered full-time in the Faculty of Graduate Studies and pursuing research in small-animal medicine or surgery in the Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College.

The Doctor of Veterinary Science (DVSc) program is a unique post-professional degree for graduates with a DVM degree or equivalent. The program provides advanced training in a clinical specialization and research to prepare students for board certification, specialized veterinary practice and research-oriented careers.

Isaac Framst – Master of Science (MSc) in Pathobiology

While completing an MSc in pathobiology Isaac Framst examined Mycoplasma, a bacteria that leads to a deadly respiratory disease in bighorn sheep and is often resistant to antibiotics. While completing his research project, he developed a method for identifying Mycoplasma without having to culture it in a lab, which takes a long time as this type of bacteria grows slowly. The new method will aid in early detection of Mycoplasma in bighorn sheep and other animals. This will help veterinarians and wildlife managers intervene more quickly, potentially saving animals from severe illness or death. Faster diagnosis can also prevent the spread of the disease to other animals in the herd. Framst’s method has already been adopted by two reference laboratories in the United States.

“Isaac is everything you would want in a student,” says Dr. Janet Beeler-Marfisi, professor in the Department of Pathobiology and Framst's MSc advisor. “He is diligent, personable, has an indomitable will, and is a superb communicator. A benchtop researcher who can explain his work to a 3-year-old or a subject matter expert and can envision practical applications for his work. I cannot wait to see where his career takes him!”

This fall, Framst began his PhD in biochemistry at McMaster University, focusing on new ways to study the gut microbiome. He’ll use advanced methods, like rapidly growing bacteria and analyzing their genetic material, to better understand how these bacteria function and affect our health.

“My time in the MSc in pathobiology program has been an exciting journey of discovery, challenging me to do my best work and make a meaningful impact in my field and my community,” says Framst.

Framst was the recipient of the Dr. Francis H. S. Newbould Scholarship awarded annually to an OVC graduate student who is working in the field of mastitis research, in the first instance or, in the second instance, in the broader area of microbiology.  

The primary objective of the MSc program is to provide students with training in conceptual and laboratory aspects of research, combined with advanced training in a field of knowledge relating to manifestations, basic mechanisms and host resistance for diseases of vertebrates.

Ola Davis - Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences

Just weeks after completing her PhD in biomedical sciences, Dr. Ola Davis was hired as a Laboratory Director in a leading IVF clinic in Southern Ontario.

After completing her master of biomedical science at OVC, Davis went to work as an andrologist, specializing in male reproductive health and infertility. She soon advanced to the role of embryologist, but her ultimate goal was to lead and manage the lab operations within an IVF clinic.

In 2020, she returned to OVC to pursue her PhD in biomedical sciences, specializing in embryology in Dr. Laura Favetta’s lab. Despite the ongoing pandemic, Davis finished her PhD in just four years, where most take easily five to six years.

As a recent graduate, and now experienced embryologist providing reproductive services in the health care industry, Davis' skills in clinical and research procedures allowed her to secure a Laboratory Director role in a leading IVF clinic in Southern Ontario.  

Students enrolled in a PhD in biomedical sciences pursue research projects that focus on key areas such as reproductive biology, developmental, cell and tissue morphology, biomedical toxicology/pharmacology or neuroscience. Whenever possible, students are encouraged to integrate methodologies from multiple disciplines to enrich their research and are provided instructional opportunities.

Learn more about Davis’ inspiring academic journey in the U of G News article.