A veterinarian's journey from engineering to canine nutrition research
In the world of veterinary medicine, some paths are straight and narrow while others twist and turn unexpectedly.
For Janice O'Brien, a Ph.D. student the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, the road to becoming a researcher in canine nutrition epidemiology has been anything but conventional.
Winding path to discovery
O'Brien's academic journey began at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she pursued a degree in materials science engineering. Her fascination with the fundamental workings of the world led her to explore biopolymers and drug delivery systems.
"I loved material science. It was a very nitty-gritty way of understanding how the world works," O'Brien said. “Essentially, that's how it made sense to my brain."
This initial foray into biomedical research sparked a new interest in veterinary medicine. O'Brien, originally from Chester, New Jersey, made the leap from engineering to veterinary school at Purdue University, driven by a desire to combine her love for animals with her passion for research.
A tradition of service
After veterinary school, O'Brien's path took another turn as she joined the U.S. Army as a veterinarian. She served for five years, following in the footsteps of her family's tradition of military service.
"My grandfather was in the Navy. My mom was in the Army, so it’s just kind of a family generational thing," O'Brien said.
Her military service showed her various aspects of veterinary medicine, including public health and food safety inspection. One memorable task involved inspecting military equipment for dirt to prevent the spread of African swine fever.
"When there was the African swine fever outbreak in Europe, all of the military equipment that you plan on bringing here needs to be washed, disinfected, and then inspected for dirt because that's how African swine fever is transmitted," O'Brien said. "I literally watched paint dry, but then I also met some of the coolest people and ended up going on adventures you didn't anticipate doing."
Following her military service, O'Brien briefly worked in a private practice for small animals. However, the allure of research soon drew her back to academia.
Janice's educational background extends beyond veterinary medicine. She complemented her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with a Master of Public Health, highlighting her equal dedication to both animal welfare and human health outcomes.
Diving into canine nutrition epidemiology
Now as a Ph.D. student at Virginia Tech, O'Brien has found her niche in canine nutrition epidemiology. Her connection to the program came through Audrey Ruple, associate professor in quantitative epidemiology and the Metcalf Professor of Veterinary Medical Informatics.
Ruple, O'Brien's former professor at Purdue, encouraged O'Brien to pursue a Ph.D. at Virginia Tech.
"I decided I wanted to do [research] in dog nutrition epidemiology because I feel like that's not a terribly well-developed field," O'Brien said. "I was more interested in seeing how pet dogs actually eat and how that influences things throughout their life."
This research ties into the age-old adage "you are what you eat" and explores how this concept applies to our canine companions.
The Dog Aging Project
O'Brien's research leverages data from the Dog Aging Project, a nationwide long-term study of canine health and aging. This vast database provides her with a unique opportunity to explore questions about dog nutrition on a large scale.
"This is piggybacking off of the work of lots and lots of people that have set this project up and the owners that continue to answer these surveys every single year," O'Brien said. "It's a long survey. It's not just a nutrition survey. It's an everything survey."
Cognitive health in pets and people
One of O'Brien's research interests is exploring potential connections between diet and cognitive health in dogs, drawing parallels to similar human studies. She's particularly interested in the effects of ultra-processed dog foods, which are typically characterized by extensive processing methods, multiple ingredients including preservatives and additives, artificial enhancers for texture and taste, and high levels of carbohydrates.
"In human epidemiology, there's this association between ultra-processed foods and cognitive diseases developed later in life," O'Brien said. "I wanted to say, 'Is that association also true for dogs?' And if it is true in dogs, what conclusions could we draw about that disease process in people?"
The future of veterinary research
As she looks to the future, O'Brien hopes to continue her academic research, driven by her curiosity and desire to answer complex questions about animal health.
"I really enjoy doing research, and I'd like to continue to be able to do research," she said. "I like to have that ability to say I've got a question; let me figure out how to answer that question."
Advice for aspiring researchers
For current veterinary students considering a research career, O'Brien emphasized the versatility of a veterinary degree and the importance of remaining open to new opportunities.
"With your DVM degree, you can do so many different things," O'Brien said. "Don't think just because you've picked something for a specific amount of time that that closed all the other doors. There's plenty of other open doors."
As O'Brien continues her Ph.D. journey, she remains committed to unraveling the mysteries of canine nutrition and health, investigating other ways dogs can be sentinels, and offering information on human health issues.
"I think ultimately what drives me is just a desire to figure out how the world works," O'Brien said. “Whether that was figuring out how atoms and polymers and everything behaved or using large data sets to determine answers about dog health and people's health, I think it's all ultimately just me trying to answer the question of how the world works."
