Elisabeth-Lidwien J.M.M. Verdegaal

Dr. Elisabeth-Lidwien J.M.M. Verdegaal is a Senior Lecturer in Equine Medicine at the School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide. She is a board-certified Equine Internal Medicine Specialist (ECEIM) with expertise in thermoregulation, metabolic disorders, and transport stress in horses.

• Education: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (1996, Utrecht University); PhD (2024, University of Adelaide & Ghent University)

Research Interests: Her work focuses on equine thermoregulation during field exercise, heat stress injury mechanisms, and metabolic adaptation in equine athletes. She pioneered telemetric gastrointestinal pills for continuous core temperature monitoring and investigates non-invasive biomarkers for gastrointestinal injury.

Recent Publications: 2025 studies on aleurone supplementation and gut microbiome impacts; 2024 work on muscle physiology baselines; 2023 analyses of skin temperature reliability and transport stress; 2022 field exercise monitoring frameworks.

• Scientific Awards: Finalist, Ross Wishart Award (2022)

Teaching: Course coordinator for Equine Clinical Practice (DVM2) and mentor for Masters/PhD students. She integrates clinical practice with research on heat stress prevention.

Public Engagement: Regular podcast contributor (e.g., 2023 International Equine High-Performance Sports Group) and lay science communicator for RSPCA and horse welfare.