Emmanuelle van Erck graduated in 1996 from the French Veterinary School of Maisons-Alfort. She trained in sports medicine at the University of Liège (Belgium) where she obtained her PhD on respiratory function testing in horses. She developped the equine sports medicine unit and consulted as senior clinician in the CIRALE in Normandy (France). In January 2010, she started her own ambulatory referral practice, the ‘Equine Sports Medicine Practice’, based in Belgium. Her practice offers specialized service in equine internal and sports medicine throughout Europe, following national teams and international riders.
Emmanuelle van Erck authored over 50 peer-reviewed scientific articles and regularly lectures at international conferences. She is a member of the FEI expert committee on prohibited substances and doping.

Dr. Lauren Schnabel is a Professor of Equine Orthopedic Surgery at North Carolina State University. She is also the Director of the CMTRTP NIH T32 Graduate Student Training Program and an Associate Director of the Comparative Medicine Institute. She completed her DVM, surgery residency, and PhD at Cornell University and her internship at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. She is board certified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (LA) as well as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (Equine). Dr. Schnabel’s research and clinical work are focused on the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and diseases as well as advancing rehabilitation protocols. She has mentored 11 ACVS residents, 4 ACVSMR residents, and over 25 interns in the hospital as well as 9 PhD students, 2 post-docs, 1 MS student, over 25 veterinary students, and over 40 undergraduate students in her laboratory. She has published over 90 peer-reviewed publications, given over 150 invited presentations (clinical and research) nationally and internationally, and has received external and internal funding for her research work totaling over 12 million dollars. In 2019, Dr. Schnabel was named an NC State University Faculty Scholar for success in her clinical work, research, teaching, mentorship, and community outreach efforts. In 2021, she received the Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence and in 2025 she received the Ruth L. and Ned E. Hoffman Leadership Award. Most recently in 2026, Dr. Schnabel was elected for the ACVSMR 4-year term presidential pathway starting as Vice President currently, followed by President-Elect, President, and Immediate Past President.