Raphael Labens

Raphael Labens is an Associate Professor in Equine Surgery at Charles Sturt University (CSU), where he serves as Superintendent of the Equine Hospital and Program Director for surgery and sports medicine residency programs. He holds adjunct faculty status at North Carolina State University. His expertise spans equine surgical and orthopaedic conditions, diagnostic imaging, and regenerative therapies. Dr. Labens is certified by the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons, and the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Education includes a DVM from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (2000), a Master of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Glasgow (UK), and a PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences from North Carolina State University (USA). He completed specialty training across Europe and the U.S., holding prior clinical roles at the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Research focuses on advancing surgical techniques for equine musculoskeletal conditions, wound healing innovations, and objective assessment of equine movement quality. Notable contributions include developing a grading system for equine gait analysis and evaluating platelet-rich plasma efficacy in joint disease. He serves as Associate Editor of Veterinary Surgery.

Key clinical interests include equine sports medicine, imaging advancements, and integrative therapies like acupuncture. His work bridges clinical practice and experimental research, addressing both surgical innovations and diagnostic standardization in large animal medicine.