Science of Performance in Animal Athletes (In-person)

About this event

This event takes place on our Writtle campus. You can also join us virtually.

Please join us for the talk from 18:00, with a drinks reception from 19:00.

From racehorses to agility dogs, animal athletes push the limits of performance. This inaugural lecture explores how science, including biomechanics, rehabilitation, and regenerative medicine is transforming the way we understand performance, prevention of injuries, sports animals’ welfare and recovery. Drawing on her research that ranges from cell therapies to biomechanical studies that shape safer training and equipment design, Professor Roberta Blake will show how innovation in veterinary science is not only enhancing animal performance but also safeguarding welfare, with real-world impact for animals, industry, and society.

About our speaker

Roberta Blake is a Professor of Animal Performance Science at Anglia Ruskin University’s Writtle School of Agriculture, Animal and Environmental Sciences. She is a veterinary surgeon with over two decades of experience, her career spans teaching, research, and academic leadership in the UK and Brazil. Her work focuses on animal biomechanics, sports medicine, equitation science, and regenerative therapies for musculoskeletal injury, with particular interest in how movement, training, and environment influence performance and injury risk. In her inaugural lecture, Professor Blake will reflect on her professional journey and present key insights from her research into understanding, measuring, and improving animal performance and welfare.

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