Drs. Erica McKenzie and Anna Firshman
Dr. Erica McKenzie recently traveled to South Africa for the 8th International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology (ICEEP) in Stellenbosch, after serving all year as a scientific sub-editor for the impending conference. Before heading to Stellenbosch, Dr. McKenzie spent four days at the University of Pretoria where she gave multiple talks to South African alpaca breeders and veterinarians. She was asked to return again next year to deliver more lectures and practical demonstrations. During her travels, Dr. McKenzie also met with a previous OSU CVM resident, Dr. Montague Saulez of the University of Pretoria, and previous OSU CVM faculty member, Dr. Anna Firshman of the University of Minnesota. She was able to see Africa’s “Big 5” in Welgevonden reserve.
The ICEEP conference represents a four-yearly gathering of exercise physiologists, human and equine physiotherapists, and veterinarians from around the world who present and discuss the most recent research in equine exercise physiology, biomechanics and sports medicine over one week. Dr. McKenzie gave a key review talk on Biochemistry and Thermoregulation in exercise, and also presented some of her research. During the meeting Dr. McKenzie was elected to the ICEEP international committee, a 12-year appointment on an eight member committee which includes two fellow Australians — the Dean of Melbourne University and the Provost of Washington State University. The committee has already commenced planning a mid-term continuing education meeting to occur in England in conjunction with the 2012 Olympics.
