Rate My Professor Barbara Padalino

Dr. Barbara Padalino serves as Senior Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Welfare in the School of Environmental and Rural Science at the University of New England. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Bari, Italy, in 2002, and a PhD in Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney, Australia, in 2017, with a thesis on the transportation of horses and its implications for health and welfare. Her career encompasses extensive clinical and academic experience. Beginning as an equine veterinarian in Italy from 2003, she worked at centers such as Mariano Horse Breeding Center and established PAD Horse Practice and Breeding Center, while directing a harness racing stable until 2014. During her PhD, she lectured in Equine Science at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga (2016-2017). She subsequently held positions as Assistant Professor in Animal Behavior and Welfare at City University of Hong Kong (2018-2019) and Associate Professor in Animal Science at the University of Bologna (from 2019).

Padalino's research focuses on animal behaviour and welfare, particularly equine transport, with findings incorporated into European regulations. She has served as an expert and panel member for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on animal health and welfare (2021-2024), contributing to assessments on transport, antimicrobial resistance, and species welfare. Her highly cited publications include 'Transport stress in horses: Effects of two different distances' (Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2012), 'Effects of the different transport phases on equine health status, behavior, and welfare: A review' (Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2015), and multiple EFSA journal articles on animal diseases (2021-2023). With over 200 publications, her Google Scholar h-index stands at 28. She holds editorial roles on journals such as Animals, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, and Livestock Science, and has received awards including the Animal Welfare Award from the Animal Transport Association (2018) and Best Poster Awards at international conferences.