Vanessa Cowan

Vanessa Cowan is an Assistant Professor in Veterinary Biomedical Sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), University of Saskatchewan. She holds a BSc (Honours) in Toxicology (2014), PhD in Toxicology (2020), and DVM (2023), all from the University of Saskatchewan. Her research focuses on mycotoxin exposure in livestock, specifically ergot alkaloid toxicity, and epidemiology of veterinary toxicoses such as lead poisoning in cattle and strychnine poisoning in dogs.

Her work integrates clinical diagnostics, epidemiological analysis, and toxicological studies to address real-world challenges in livestock and wildlife health. Key contributions include investigations into ergot's subclinical effects on cattle reproduction and cardiovascular systems, as well as retrospective studies on poisoning incidents in domestic and wild animals. Methodological advancements in grain contamination detection and toxicant quantification further highlight her interdisciplinary approach.

Recent publications emphasize the ecological and agricultural impacts of mycotoxins, with a focus on improving feed safety protocols and understanding toxin distribution patterns in Western Canada. Her research bridges laboratory science with field applications, directly informing veterinary practices and public health strategies.