ASAV International Keynote Speakers
Professor Patty Lathan
VMD, MS, DACVIM
Patty is a Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Louisiana State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Texas A&M University, a VMD from the University of Pennsylvania, and then completed an internship at Mississippi State University and a residency in small animal internal medicine at Purdue University. She taught at Mississippi State University for 16 years prior to moving to LSU in 2023.
Dr. Lathan specializes in endocrinology, specifically adrenal function testing, diabetes mellitus, and the mitigation of side effects of glucocorticoids. She is a past-president of the Society for Comparative Endocrinology.
Dr Sue Paterson
MA VetMB DVD DipECVD FRCVS
Dr Sue Paterson is a RCVS and European Board-Certified Veterinary Dermatologist. She is an elected Fellow of the RCVS for her contributions to clinical practice in the field of Veterinary Dermatology. She is the Veterinary Director of a Veterinary Dermatology Telemedicine Company Virtual Vet Derms Ltd that offers dermatology advice to the public and the veterinary surgeons.
Sue has written 7 text books and more than 90 refereed publications in English, European and American journals. She has lectured extensively and has been an invited speaker at international meetings in more than 40 countries.
She is an elected member of RCVS Council, was President of the RCVS 2023 - 24. Sue is a past president of the BSAVA and of ESVD. She is the current President of the World Association for Veterinary Dermatology. Sue is a Trustee of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and in her spare time enjoys long walks with her dogs across the Cumbrian fells where she lives.
UPAV Internation Keynote Speakers
Dr. Yvonne R.A. van Zeeland
DVM, MVR, PhD, Dip. ECZM (Avian, Small mammal), CPBC
Dr. Yvonne van Zeeland graduated with merit as a Doctor in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Utrecht University in 2004. After working briefly in a companion animal clinic, she completed an internship and residency in Avian Medicine at Utrecht University, becoming a Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (ECZM-Avian) and a European-recognized specialist in Avian Medicine in 2013. In 2014, she also achieved de facto recognition in the Small Mammal specialty of ECZM.
Dr. van Zeeland’s work focuses on exotic species, including birds, small mammals, and reptiles. Beyond clinical practice, she is actively involved in teaching and research, particularly in parrot behavior and welfare. She became a Tinley and IAABC-certified parrot behavior consultant in 2012 and 2015, respectively, and is part of the Veterinary Behavior Clinic team in Utrecht, where she treats parrots with behavioral challenges. Her research into feather-damaging behavior in grey parrots earned her a PhD in 2013.
An accomplished speaker, author, and leader, Dr. van Zeeland actively contributes to advancing avian and exotic animal medicine through international lectures, publications, and committee roles. She served as President of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) from 2018-2019 and currently holds several prominent positions, including Avian Scientific Chair for the European Association of Avian Veterinarians (EAAV), Examination Committee Chair for ECZM, and Associate Editor for the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery.
In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the field, Dr. van Zeeland received the prestigious Lafeber’s Avian Practitioner of the Year Award in 2021. She continues to champion excellence in avian and exotic animal medicine, education, and welfare.
Dr. Nico Schoemaker
DVM, PhD, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice), Diplomate ECZM (Avian, Small Mammal Medicine)
Dr. Nico Schoemaker graduated as a veterinarian in February 1994. He completed an internship in companion animal medicine and a residency in Avian Medicine and Surgery at Utrecht University, pursuing simultaneous certification in both the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) and the European College of Avian Medicine and Surgery (ECAMS). In 1998, he became a Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) and a Diplomate ECAMS, making him the first avian specialist in the Netherlands.
In 2003, Dr. Schoemaker earned his PhD with research on hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets, proposing novel hypotheses about its etiology and prevention. His groundbreaking work has led to ongoing research and earned him recognition as a “ferret specialist” among veterinarians and owners.
With the establishment of the European College of Zoological Medicine (ECZM) in 2009, Dr. Schoemaker became a founding member of the Small Mammal specialty, earning Diplomate status in Small Mammal Medicine. This achievement made him the first small mammal specialist in the Netherlands.
Currently, Dr. Schoemaker is a clinician-specialist at the Division of Zoological Medicine at Utrecht University, where he primarily treats small mammals, birds, and occasionally reptiles. Beyond clinical work, he is actively involved in teaching and research. His research focuses on adrenal tumors in ferrets, avian and small mammal clinical topics, and feather-damaging behavior in parrots.
Dr. Schoemaker’s expertise and dedication have positioned him as a leading figure in exotic animal medicine, advancing care standards and fostering innovation in his field.
AVCB Keynote Speaker
Dr Beth Cookson
Australian Chief Veterinary Officer
Dr Beth Cookson was appointed Australian Chief Veterinary Officer (ACVO) in December 2023, following an expansive career as a veterinary officer and senior executive in the Australian Public Service. In this role, Beth is the primary representative and advisor to the Australian Government on Australia’s animal health status and Australia’s Delegate to the World Organisation for Animal Health.
Beth graduated from the University of Queensland in 2004 and has more than 15 years’ experience in biosecurity policy and operational roles in the Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry, including animal health surveillance, biosecurity import risk analysis
and trade negotiation. She became a member of the Epidemiology chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) in 2013, and she has also completed an Executive Master of Public Administration degree through the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG).
Living and working in the Cairns region, Beth has a special interest in biosecurity threats across northern Australia. Her Northern Australia team focuses on strategy, policy, collaboration and capacity building on animal health and biosecurity threats across the region, including in near neighbouring countries and the Pacific.
AVDS Keynote Speakers
Dr Rod Straw
Small Animal Surgery (Oncology) Specialist
BVSc Dip ACVS M(A) ANZCVS ACVS
Rod Straw is a registered surgical oncology specialist with the Queensland Veterinary Surgeons Board. He has been working in veterinary oncology since 1986. He trained in the United States becoming the world’s first veterinary Fellow in Surgical Oncology. He was Associate Professor of Oncology at Colorado State University before returning to Australia where he has been treating referred small animal cancer patients since 1995. He has worked in the areas of surgical, medical and radiation oncology for many years.
In 1997, he started Animal Cancer Care and moved into Brisbane Veterinary Specialist Centre in 2004. He later founded the Australian Animal Cancer Foundation which is a not for profit research charity.
Dr. Williana Basuki
BVSc (Hons), MS, MANZCVS, DAVDC
Dr. Basuki graduated from the University of Queensland in 2010. She worked as a general practitioner followed by a couple of internships in Australia before undertaking a 3-year Dentistry and Oral Surgery residency and master’s degree program at Colorado State University. She became a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College, joined Tufts University as a specialist and an Adjunct Associate Professor. She returned to Australia in 2020 to become the first and only registered veterinary dental specialist in Queensland. Dr. Basuki has been an active committee member at the American Veterinary Dental College and an examiner committee for the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. She holds a position as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Queensland and has been actively delivering lectures and dental workshops at numerous national and international veterinary conferences. In 2024, she founded Sabertooth Vet Dental Specialist, an independent vet dental referral practice (Brisbane, Australia).
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