Professor Roberta Blake

Roberta Blake For media enquiries please contact the Press Team
Professor
Faculty:
Faculty of Science and Engineering
School:
Writtle School of Agriculture, Animal and Environmental Sciences
Location:
Writtle
Research Supervision:
Yes

Roberta is a veterinary surgeon, interested in all aspects of animal health but her main research focus has been on examining how intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence animal movement and risk of injuries.

[email protected]
Research Gate
ORCID

Background

Roberta’s work with animals started over 20 years ago as an equine surgeon in her native Brazil, and has encompassed roles in research, teaching, leadership and general vet practice.

Roberta joined Writtle University College in September 2016; the College merged with ARU in 2024. From 2011-2016 she was a Researcher at University College of London and the Royal Veterinary College.

She completed an undergraduate degree in Veterinary Medicine at the University of São Paulo in Brazil, and completed her MSc (2004) and PhD (2006) on the use of stem cells in horses.

She has been involved in several research projects, in areas as diverse as regenerative medicine using stem cells, to the biomechanical analysis of both horse and rider during sporting endeavours. Currently, Roberta is Research Lead at Writtle School of Animal, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and her teaching focus is on Dissertation modules, Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Animal Biomechanics and Lameness Assessment.

Spoken Languages
  • Italian
  • Portuguese
  • French
  • Basic Zulu and Xhosa
Research interests
  • Animal biomechanics
  • Equitation science
  • Animal sports medicine
  • Regenerative therapies for musculoskeletal injuries
Areas of research supervision

Roberta welcomes applications from undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in carrying out research projects in animal biomechanics and sport medicine and equitation science.

Find out more about our Writtle School of Agriculture, Animal and Environmental Sciences research programme.

Teaching
Qualifications
  • PG Certificate in Higher Education Practice, University of Essex
  • PhD in Veterinary Surgery, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • MSc in Veterinary Surgery, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Residence in Large Animal Surgery, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • BSc in Veterinary Medicine
Memberships, editorial boards

Memberships:

  • Member, Brazilian Cell Therapy Research Network/Member Researcher
  • Fellow, Higher Education Academy
  • Member, British Veterinary Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Association
  • Member, International Association of Animal Therapists
  • Founding member, UK Equine Student Network
  • Founding Member, Equine Lecturers Knowledge Exchange

Editorial boards:

Research grants, consultancy, knowledge exchange
  • 2022-2023: Research England KE Funding: Community awareness of dogs sports injuries, £12k, Principal Investigator
  • 2020-2023: Newton Fund (British Academy) CONFAP/UK Academies grants–Biomechanical and exercise physiology assessment of Pantaneiro horse in Brazil, £5k, Principal Investigator
  • 2019-2021: SBRI/Innovate UK – Proof of concept study: IP methods to create a chondrogenic implant, £1.1m, Co-Investigator (Dr Kafienah PI)
  • 2017-2018: BI MRC Confidence in Concept scheme – A preclinical model for the treatment of osteoarthritis using chondrogenic human induced pluripotent stem cells, £85k, Co-Investigator (Dr Kafienah PI)
  • 2015-2016: Wellcome Trust – Use of new technology (Bioyarn) for tendon suture: safety and biomechanical study, £989k, Research Associate (Prof Caar PI)
  • 2012-2015: MRC Grant TSCRC – Improved cartilage regeneration through the selection and use of highly chondrogenic subpopulations of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, £861k, Research Associate (Prof Hollander PI)
  • 2012: James Tudor Trust – Integration of tissue engineered cartilage in vivo, £45k, Research Associate (Prof Hollander PI)
  • 2011-2012: Eurocoatings Italy – Layer manufacture of porous metals for osseointegration, £120k, Research Associate (Prof Goodship PI)
  • 2011-2012 Research Fellowship grant for Academic Visit to UCL. CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level -or Education- Personnel), £20k, Principal Investigator
  • 2011 - 2012: The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)/Cell Therapy Grant – Cell therapy in horse tendonitis: Stem Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma, £50k, Principal Investigator
  • 2010 - 2012: The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)/Cell Therapy Call – Stem Cells in horse bone regeneration, pre-clinical study, £20k, Principal Investigator
  • 2009-2012: DF Research Council (FAPDF)/General Call: Stem Cells in peripherical nerve regeneration, pre-clinical study, £50k, Principal Investigator
Selected recent publications

Publications below are last 5 years papers only – for a full list of please see Google Scholar.

Chaabi AZ, Boukhechem S, Afoutni L, Bougherara H, Djeghar A, Boukerrou M, Bouchoukh AS, Tekkouk-Zemmouchi F, Blake R. Características morfométricas del caballo Barbado en Argelia y factores de variación asociados. Rev. Cient. FCV-LUZ 35(3):9. doi: 10.52973/rcfcv-e35730

Chinn, A. R., Blake, R. ., & Child, S. (2025). Effect of a Single Acupressure Treatment on the Mechanical Nociceptive Thresholds (MNTs) of the Equine Epaxial Back Musculature. International Journal of Equine Science, 4(2), 171–181. doi: 10.64292/ijes.186

Kowalski, Éverton A., Bruch, A. F., de Lima, C. L. R., Pizzi, G. L. B. L., de Borba, L. R. O., Ribeiro, P. F., Blake, R., Martins, C. F. (2025). Modelagem Topográfica de Superfícies Equestres: Uma Perspectiva Inovadora com Aerolevantamento Fotogramétrico. Revista Brasileira De Geografia Física, 18(05), 3738–3755. doi: 10.26848/rbgf.v18.05.p3738-3755

Hopkins E, Whitrod S, Marlin D, Blake R. Tight nosebands apply high pressures on the horses' face and alter stride kinematics. J Equine Vet Sci. 2025 Jul 19;152:105654. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105654

Bidwell, C; Blake, S.; Marlin, D.; Blake, R. (2025) The effects of altered distances between A-frame and the preceding jump on front limb dynamics in agility dogs, The Veterinary Journal, Volume 312, e: 106363, doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2025.106363.

Clarke, K; Terry, J; Blake, S.; Ferro de Godoy, R. Kinematics and kinetics of dogs walking over increasing heights of cavaletti exercise. Heliyon 10(24) 10. doi: 1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40952.

Blake, S., Blake, R. 3D limb dynamics of flyball dogs turning on different box angles. Sci Rep 14, 27796 (2024). doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-78863-9

Bonilla Lemos Pizzi, G.L.; Holz, K.; Kowalski, É.A.; Fonseca Ribeiro, P.; Blake, R.; Ferreira Martins, C. (2024) 2D Kinematic Analysis of the Esbarrada and Volta Sobre Patas Manoeuvres of Criollo Breed Horses Competing in Freio de Ouro. Animals 2024, 14, 2410. doi: 10.3390/ani14162410

Rodrigues De Lima L, Kreutzfeld Farias S, Parra Buzzetti A, Neves De Souza Pimenta MC, Blake R. Hybrid external fixator for treatment of a tibial proximal comminuted diaphyseal fracture in a foal. Vet Rec Case Rep. 2024; 12:e872. doi: 10.1002/vrc2.872

Anthony, G, Blake S., Blake R. (2024). Kinetics and kinematics of dog walk exercise in agility dogs of different experiences. Ciência Rural, 54(6). doi: 10.1590/0103-8478cr20230211

Coll, J.A;  Blake, S.,Godoy, R.F. (2023). Surface electromyography (sEMG) of equine core muscles and kinematics of lumbosacral joint during core strengthening exercises. Journal of Equine Rehabilitation, 1, pp.100002, doi: 10.1016/j.eqre.2023.100002

Fair N, Blake S, Blake R. (2023). Four Weeks of Incline Water Treadmill Exercise Can Contribute to Increase Epaxial Muscle Profile in Horse. Veterinary Medicine International, 7, pp:9090406. doi: 10.1155/2023/9090406

Ribeiro, P.F., Pizzi, G.L.B.L., Silva, P.M., de O. Cavalcanti, G.A., Bruhn, F.R.P., Costa, P.P.C., França, R.T., Holz, K., de Godoy, R.F.,  Martins, C.F. (2023). Cardiovascular training adaptations in Criollo breed horses: biochemical markers and morphofunctional parameters. Comparative Exercise Physiology, 20(1), pp.23-34. doi: 10.1163/17552559-20230018

McAteer, A., Gill, R.,; de Godoy, R. F. (2023). Impact of Forage Presentation on the Equine Brachiocephalicus Mechanical Nociceptive Threshold (MNT) and Forelimb Kinematics: Forage Presentation Affects Neck Muscle MNT. International Journal of Equine Science, 2(1), pp.9–16

Giusto E, Blunn G, de Godoy RF, Liu C, Pendegrass C.  (2022). Optimising soft tissue in-growth in vivo in additive layer manufactured osseointegrated transcutaneous implants. Biomaterials Translational, 28;3(4), pp.243-249. doi: 10.12336/biomatertransl.2022.04.004

Bliss,M.,Terry,J.,and de Godoy, R.F. (2022). Limbs kinematics of dogs exercising at different water levels on the underwater treadmill. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 1–8. doi: 10.1002/vms3.947

Hodgson, H.; Blake, S.; Godoy, R.F. (2022). Effects of inclined underwater treadmill exercise on range of motion of the canine thoracolumbar spine. Veterinary Medicine and Science. doi: 10.1002/vms3.1067

Mabbutt, C.; Yarnell, K.; Godoy, R.F. (2022). A short-term hindlimb massage programme can improve gait symmetry in riding school horses. Comparative Exercise Physiology doi: 10.3920/CEP220022

‘Marlin DJ, Pickles K, Godoy RF, Williams JM. (2021). Opening forces or failure of commercially available equine headcollars and other safety devices. Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology, 237(3), pp.142-149. doi:10.1177/17543371211039610

Blake, S, and Godoy, RF (2021). Kinematics and Kinetics of Dogs Completing Jump and A-frame Exercises. Comparative Exercise Physiology, 17(4) pp.351-366. doi: 10.3920/CEP200067

Recent presentations and conferences

In recent years, Roberta has presented her research at the following conferences (among others):

  • British Society for Animal Science
  • Calgary International Equine Symposium
  • European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Conference
  • International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy
  • International Conference on Canine and Equine Locomotion
  • Dubai International Horse Show
  • World Equine Veterinary Association Conference
Media experience

Guardian article: “Panting, gular fluttering and sploots: how Britain’s animals try to keep cool” https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jul/11/panting-gular-fluttering-sploots-how-britain-animals-try-keep-cool-heatwaves.

Live interview about use of pulsed magnetotherapy in animals, 205, Italian TV channel – Italia Channel.