Ashlee Watts DVM, PhD, DACVS, is director of the lab and an equine orthopedic surgeon in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. Her clinical interest in the performance horse is a focus point for the dedicated study of orthopedic diseases and the development of innovative targeted therapeutic measures. Dr. Watts works with board certified faculty members on the Equine Orthopedics, Equine Sports Medicine & Imaging and Diagnostic Imaging services at Texas A&M and collaborates with basic scientists and veterinarians throughout the world to advance the field of equine orthopedics and regenerative medicine. The laboratory is located in the new wing of the Veterinary Medical Research Building, immediately adjacent to the Large Animal Hospital at Texas A&M.

The Comparative Orthopedics and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory serves the equine industry and veterinary community by: engaging in orthopedic and regenerative medicine research with immediate impact to both equine and human athletes; providing guidelines and strategies for management of equine clinical cases through incorporation of innovative regenerative technologies; and educating undergraduate students, veterinary students, veterinary residents, graduate students, and visiting scientists in equine regenerative techniques for orthopedic disease.

Areas of research emphasis include techniques of stem cell isolation and expansion for improved safety of autologous therapy, investigation into the basic mechanisms of stem cell therapy, investigation into novel musculoskeletal therapies for tendon, ligament and bone injury and osteoarthritis prevention. The overriding goal of the laboratory is to provide for the dedicated study of orthopedic diseases and the development of innovative targeted therapeutic measures to treat orthopedic diseases.

Ben is a UQ Vet School graduate who grew up in south east Queensland. The son of local veterinarians Trevor and Sue from Beaudesert, Ben travelled abroad for his surgical training at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Centre. While there he completed a fellowship in comparative orthopaedic research in addition to an internship and residency in equine surgery.

On returning to Australia Ben was a surgeon at Randwick Equine Centre in Sydney for four years. After a short period in Adelaide Ben grabbed the opportunity to come home to UQ and SEQ. Ben is a specialist in equine surgery and is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation he is one of only a handful of veterinarians in Australia with these dual qualifications.

He has authored multiple book chapters and has published on a wide range of topics ranging from orthopaedics and lameness, to novel tie-back procedures and stem cell therapies. With these qualifications and his broad experience base Ben is excited to begin working with the referring veterinary community to offer assistance in providing the best possible care and options available to horse owners

Marc Koene is one of the owners of Tierklinik Lüsche, a 28-vet equine practice in Germany. After his study of veterinary medicine he did the German track for Equine Veterinary Specialist. Marc is the team Veterinarian for Equestrian Sports (DOKR) of the German dressage team and Team USA eventing when they are in Europe. Furthermore he is an International Equestrian Federation (FEI) veterinarian and got his certificate as Chiropractor (IAVC, IACV certificated). Recently he entered the veterinary scientific board of the International Association of Laser Therapy.

Peter qualified from the University of Cambridge in 1987 and spent four years working in equine practice. He then completed a Residency in Equine Surgery at the Royal Veterinary College in 1994 obtaining the RCVS Certificate in Equine Orthopaedics during this time. Between 1994 -1997 he undertook research at the University of Liverpool in the field of equine osteoarthritis for which he was awarded a PhD in 1997. Peter has worked at the University of Liverpool since 1997 as Lecturer and Senior Lecturer and subsequently was appointed as Chair in Equine Orthopaedics in 2005. In 2003, he was awarded a Wellcome Trust Research Leave Fellowship to undertake research into cartilage repair in conjunction with the University of Manchester. Peter is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and a RCVS Specialist in Equine Surgery.

He performs veterinary duties at Chatsworth Three day event and has recently become the owner of a Welsh Cob for the family to ride.