Luca Guardabassi is Professor of Bacteriology at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and the Royal Veterinary College in London
Dr Luca Guardabassi
Could you introduce yourself briefly to WSAVA members?
I graduated in veterinary medicine at the University of Pisa in 1994 before moving to Denmark where I specialized in veterinary microbiology and gained more than 20 years’ operational and leadership experience in academia. My research on antimicrobial resistance, therapy and diagnostics of bacterial infections, turned to be rather successful, generating more than 170 peer-reviewed publications.
In my current role, working with two of the most renowned vet schools in Europe, the University of Copenhagen and the Royal Veterinary College in London, I commute regularly between Denmark and the UK – or I did until the COVID-19 pandemic!
What is your ‘day job?’
My work is varied and ranges from lecturing to writing grant proposals or manuscripts, as well as staff management and project administration. For now, of course, I am in lockdown and working from home.
As I can’t travel, I have more time to dedicate to other activities and I’m also finding that COVID-19 is changing the way I teach students and hold meetings. Becoming familiar with video conferencing has been an interesting learning process and a positive experience. My impression is that work in academia will never be the same again and we will continue to use these technologies regularly after the end of the epidemic. Even dramatic events like this can lead to positive changes.
You are Co-chair of the TGG – what does this role involve and what do you enjoy about it?
I enjoy working with a team of international experts and stakeholders in the animal health sector. Co-ordinating activities with a bunch of busy people working in different fields is not always easy but it is rewarding. Above all, I enjoy spending some of my spare time doing something useful for the veterinary community on a global scale.
Why did you want to get involved with the WSAVA?
Ever since the start of my career, I have been fascinated by the idea of using my work as a microbiologist to address the clinical needs of small animal veterinary practice. This interest led me to work outside my comfort zone of microbiology.
In 2004, for instance, I became manager of the diagnostic laboratory at the University of Copenhagen. This role enabled me to establish numerous research collaborations and networks with veterinary colleagues working in dermatology, internal medicine and surgery. I found that I was increasingly invited to veterinary congresses to share my knowledge on antibiotic resistance and use in companion animals, and I learned to appreciate professional interactions with veterinary practitioners. Such interactions have become a cornerstone of my work, making it impossible to say no when Walt Ingwersen offered me the opportunity to found the TGG.
Why is the TGG’s work so important?
The TGG was established to address the need for international standards on the availability and rational use of medicines in companion animal medicine. We wish to impact veterinary practice by improving access to essential medicines and by promoting best practices in antibiotic prescription and use. As a result of the spread of antimicrobial resistance, there is an increasing societal demand to reduce use of antibiotics in the veterinary sector in order to prevent zoonotic transmission of resistance and preserve the efficacy of these medicine in human medicine. Our challenge is to meet this demand by contributing to rationalize antibiotic use in companion animals without affecting animal health and welfare.
What’s your message to WSAVA members?
The TGG has just started its journey and we are doing our best to provide a useful service to the WSAVA community. Your feedback is always welcome since our goal is to meet your expectations. Don’t hesitate to contact us to suggest new activities that may be helpful for you.
Could you tell us something about you that might surprise us?
I am a big fan of an Italian football team, Juventus. I watch every single game they play and I get extremely upset when they don’t perform well or lose badly. Fortunately, the latter is a fairly rare event.