Kristien Verheyen

Kristien Verheyen DVM MSc PhD FHEA MRCVS 

Kristien is Professor of Veterinary Clinical Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). She has an extensive research portfolio in equine epidemiology, and issues affecting Thoroughbred racehorses in particular. With an established track record in racehorse injury epidemiology, Kristien is currently collaborating with the Horse Welfare Board and British Horseracing Authority to provide epidemiological and statistical expertise to help deliver data-driven projects as part of the strategic plan for the welfare of horses bred for racing. Prior to joining the RVC in 2005, Kristien worked in the Epidemiology Unit at the Animal Health Trust (AHT), being responsible for the veterinary care of the AHT’s pony herd and contributing to equine infectious disease surveillance activities. She then embarked on a Horserace Betting Levy Board-funded project investigating the epidemiology of fractures in racehorses in training, followed by a Residency in Equine Epidemiology funded by the Horse Trust. In addition to a veterinary degree from the University of Ghent, Belgium, she holds an MSc in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a PhD from the RVC. She is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Previous roles at the RVC include a seven-year stint as Head of the Graduate School and Course director for the MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology.